Lessons of A Maturing Workout Rookie

 I am not an athlete and, at my age, will not try to become one. Still, I am trying to become a healthier version of what God is creating me to be by working out, albeit somewhat sporadically, and the Spirit is trying to teach me a few things. So, of those true athletes who happen to read this and already know that of which I speak, please excuse the naïve observations of a maturing workout rookie.

First, it is good to have something which takes your mind off of how exhausted you feel, even if it is only after about three minutes into your routine. I have found that having my ear buds tuned in and listening to my Pandora app set on the music of Victor Wooten is perfect. Wooten and friends have that perfect blend of changing rhythms in each piece of music, made all the better by the diversity of the music they play . . . some of which even I recognize!
Second, and maybe more importantly, stop watching the clock. Stop watching the timekeeper on the piece of equipment you are using. Stop keeping track of 'when you are supposed to get done'. Stop limiting your benefit by the numbers on a machine. When the only goal you have is to work out on a machine or in a routine for a certain number of minutes, you become a slave of the timekeeper, rather than be freed by the experience. Turn on the music, start your workout and, if possible, close your eyes and allow the music and the sweat to guide you. It is truly surprising how quickly time passes when you just let it go (pun intended).
Third, recognize and reward yourself for faithfulness to the routine and your accomplishments - with a reward worthy of forcing you to go back to the workout room, if necessary! Life is simply too short to deny yourself a periodic taste of God's goodness in creation by downing those 'healthy shakes', 'veggie freezes' and 'energy concoctions' . . . unless, of course, you are really doing this to be healthy and good looking. Me? I'm just going for good looking - and I have a long way to go, so I treat myself, judiciously. No sense eating the whole container of ice cream when a scoop . . . or two . . . is enough. Be reasonable.
Lastly, root other people on who are there working out with you - as well as those who are not. We are all in this together and each of us has a purpose and gifts. Who knows if your gift isn't to be that one voice of support that saves another person from a lonely day or difficult feelings? Be the advocate for others you pray the Spirit is for you. Maybe that is why Jesus refers to the Spirit as the Advocate in the Gospel of John . . . the courtroom of the world awaits the verdict.
Actually, in reading this over, this all has a shared application in worship services, except for that part of listening to Victor Wooten while enduring the sermon, of course. Allow the music of worship to surround you, let go of managing the time and enjoy the journey, savor your accomplishments as well as those of others around you, and be an advocate of everyone along the way.
Maybe if we did more of these things each day where we are, there would be less reason for hatred, animosity, prejudice and fear. One never knows, but we will never know if we never try.
Funny how a simple workout routine can make one think - or at least give you time to think while you get into shape. Round is a shape, isn't it? Have a great time, however you make these trips around the sun.
Something to ponder on the journey.
(c)dcw2022
Photograph courtesy of Pixabay Free Photographs

Popular posts from this blog

How Do You Look?

Image
Have you ever wondered how you look in someone else's eyes? A fair number of people I know keep that concern close in mind as they select the clothes they wear, have their hair done, think about where they might find themselves - and with whom, and even as they choose what fragrance to wear. All that - for what one imagines others might see and perceive. Truth of the matter? Far more people will see you than you will ever know and, to a great extent, they will draw conclusions about you and who you are more by what you do and how you treat others, than by any personal appearance or attitude you work so carefully to project. Don't believe me? Consider this picture. Our farming neighbor across the fields, Judy Feig, sent this picture to me last evening. Seems she was outside their home and caught a glimpse of the setting sun reflecting off the barn at my brother's place and just could not pass on taking a picture and sending it to me. Oddly enough, though, Judy told me that t...
Read more

The Mouth of the Lord Is Still Speaking

Image
"A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."  (Isaiah 40:3-5 NRSV) The story was recently told of a boss who, when confronted with their lack of production, absence of truthfulness, and willingness to plagiarize without thought of credit to others, simply looked at the person leveling the complaint and shouted, 'Do you know who I am?" A thousand potential answers filled the recipient's mind at that moment, but silence seemed to be the most appropriate and, given that the two Board members present offered no support, the intimidation of the bully-boss held sway. So it seems to continue in a myriad of ways in our culture today, '...
Read more

The Selfie Culture

Image
  It never ceases to amaze me, whether in the supermarket, sporting events, on the street, during worship or even at funeral services, people seem driven to take pictures of themselves at every given opportunity. 'Selfies', as they are known, permeate the airwaves and digital footprint of media, including television stations, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and so many more. It is as though a picture of a sunset alone is never going to be enough, it can only be made better if our faces frame the picture! Oy! On the one hand, a selfie is a step higher on the palatability scale than a picture of a plate of food yet, on the other hand, most folk do not have the required equipment for a 'good' selfie, a 'selfie-stick', which extends the cell phone farther from those being photographed, thus making the 'un-sticked' selfies almost exclusively close-ups. No one wants to be that close to me, not even my wife and kids.  Is it subliminal narcissism which drives us ...
Read more