Exercising overwhelms me – especially when I have not been doing any physical activity for awhile. The thought of devoting an hour or two to going to the gym, or running, or lifting weights, or doing any of the things I have done to stay in shape in the past seems too big a task for my tired, out of shape self. Part of me also does not want to go through the pain of those first few workouts. My muscles always hurt afterwards, not to mention the slap of reality about just how out of shape I am.
So I do nothing instead. I avoid exercising and tell myself I am too busy doing other important things to take care of my body. This works – to a degree. The problem comes when I am invariably forced to stand in front of a mirror, or in the shower, or to put on some article of clothing, and realize that while I slept, someone else’s body obviously was switched for mine. And the body I am in looks very unfamiliar. When enough clothes don’t fit, or when I become unhappy enough with the body I see in the mirror, I am usually able to begin some kind of exercise routine.
I have played this sequence of events out over and over and over again in my lifetime. The strange part about it is that as soon as I do begin to exercise regularly, I feel better. My muscles do ache sometimes, but that is temporary. My mental attitude is where the real changes occur. I feel better, happier, and, in general, I am more pleasant to be around. At least for awhile. So why are my body and mind so resistant at the beginning?
For me, I think the answer lies in wanting too much too quickly. There have been times in my life where I was in good physical shape, and I want to go back to that body for awhile. I find it very discouraging and disheartening that I can only run for a quarter of the time I used to, I can only lift one half of the weights I used to, I go out for a bike ride and people twice my age are passing me and leaving me in the dust. I want to be as good if not better than I used to be, and I want it now!
In the same way, I think that “Getting in the Game” can be overwhelming. People are doing such great things in their “games”. My father in law spent a week in New Orleans fixing up houses for homeless people. A family friend spent two weeks in Haiti doing mission work. I watch people on t.v. volunteer to help out families by using their skills to build new homes for people in need. Other people organize trips to Washington D.C. to join rallies on various social causes they believe in. Those are the types of changes I want to be involved in. Those people are making a difference. Those people have gotten in the game!
I have found out recently that there are many other opportunities to contribute to society in meaningful ways. It was pointed out that within our country, in fact within our communities, and most likely within your very neighborhood there are people who are desperately lonely. There are also people who are depressed. People who are grieving a loss are in those places too. Many Americans are afraid. Others are empty inside. There are young people in your families and in your circle of influence who are waiting for moral and spiritual guidance.
I like to read Mother Theresa’s writings. In terms of social changes, I think it’s fair to say that she was one of the heavy hitters – someone who walked the walk and did not just talk the talk. I am always amazed that in her writings there is an emphasis on doing the small things. This is a woman who had global influence and whose scope of change seemed unparalleled. Yet she speaks often about the effect of a smile, a kind word, the touch of a hand on someone’s shoulder. She seemed to think that it was these things, more than any other, that would change lives, attitudes, and relationships all around the globe. Gandhi was another person who devoted his life to making huge changes through a series of simple, kind acts. One of his beliefs was “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
I have decided to start exercising again. Today I will do ten sit ups and ten push ups. I’ll try to do those every day this week. Next week I might try to do 12 of each. But I’ll do some. I’ll do something. Today I will also acknowledge the hard work that is being done around me. When I go to the grocery store, I’ll let someone else have the open spot that is closer to the building. When I am in the store, if the cashier needs to call for help, I won’t complain, or join in with the complainers. I’ll smile at the cashier. I’ll thank him or her for working today. I will work to be a positive influence on every person that I come in contact with today. I can do that – if I choose to. I will also look around my house, my neighborhood, my town, and try to recognize the people who need something. It may not be something big. In fact, it probably won’t be. Maybe I’ll pick up trash that I have seen on the side of our road. I might even mow someone’s lawn after I mow my own. Maybe I’ll bake some cookies with the kids and bring them over to a neighbor. Or maybe I’ll just strike up a conversation when I see my neighbors outside and compliment them on their house, or yard, or being a good neighbor and person. At work, I will offer sincere appreciation to my coworkers and to the customers I serve. I’ll stay away from the gossip and negativity around the proverbial water cooler.
I can do those things – they really aren’t that big a deal. Today I will do what I can, what is within my reach and my control. Today I will get in the game. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll add on two more things next week…
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