On my break from work today, I decided that it’s sooo beautiful outside that I would go take a walk around my neighborhood & took a path I never have. While walking, a homeowner was taking her trash out and greeted me. She asked if I was enjoying the weather. I said yes, this is the first time I’ve been out and about in the sun! She told me that she’s been sick since December and since has lost 28 pounds. Today was the first day she was feeling well, so she was wearing her summer shoes and going to get a pedicure. She obviously needed someone to talk to, and I listened to her story about her struggle of the doctors not understanding exactly what’s going on with her body. We chatted maybe 3 minutes and wished each other a well weekend.
As I continued to walk about 5 more minutes, I stumbled across this amazing park! On my way there I noticed a man stacking lumber or doing some household project. He has a prosthetic leg, but was going about his business like nothing was odd or in the way. He obviously had learned to live with his disability.
Then, once I got to the park, the first thing I noticed were squirrels running around, and tons of benches, monkey bars, basketball hoops, hills, and running trails! HEAVEN!! I also noticed a couple about 50 years old was there. He had a cane. They were leaving as I got there and ran to the monkey bars. He spoke up and told me to stay in shape while I`m young. He told me that he is learning to walk again. He used to be an avid hiker. His story was amazing, and his wife was right there supporting him, holding his arm as he walked with a cane. They also told me about their daughter & how she’s gained 6 pounds since college sports. LOL Oh yeah, they also told me to try Bikrham yoga 🙂
You see, withing 15 minutes of me enjoying my walk, I saw two disabled people just trying to regain the ability to walk normally again, and a woman just trying to enjoy quality of life while she’s not sick. We take things for granted so much! It really put things into perspective for me of why I have chosen the career path I have — to help people! It also reinforced the importance of my own discipline and fitness pursuit to lead by example; a great example!
You can also get in shape and healthy by being ACTIVE! Being healthy goes beyond the gym, pushing weights, sprinting on treadmills, it goes as deep as your heart… Make fitness / exercise a part of your heart’s desire …
SO TO ALL OF YOU —- STAY HEALTHY! IF YOU DON’T ONE DAY YOU WILL REGRET IT AND / OR POSSIBLY MISS IT… Now… GO!!!
(Needless to say, I went on the monkey bars, *ATTEMPTED* pullups, lunges, decline bench pushups, bench jumps & swung on the swing set like a little kid)