There’s nothing that I love more than waking up to a bright, beautiful, blue sky that beckons me to lace up my running shoes and head out to the park for a morning run. As I meander through the neighborhood, I enjoy watching people’s routines as they walk their dogs, water their gardens and play with their grandchildren. It’s the third item mentioned here that has captured my imagination and has given me inspiration to share some thoughts with you.
Down my street, there lives a retired couple who mostly keep to themselves, but as the years have passed, I have noticed that there is something unique about how they choose to spend their time. Since the time their grandchildren could walk, this couple has been constantly on the move with their grandchildren! I think they own every kind of ball and bat, scooter and bike, and plenty of games involving some kind of an obstacle course where they all take turns running through a menagerie of items.
As I walk down the street with my dog and pass by these neighbors, I will often say, “Hi” and ask about their day and their response is always about some adventure they have planned with their grandkids. And my response is always the same as I smile inside and out realizing that the greatest gift they are giving their family is their time and capability.
Their grandkids will always have fond memories of spending time with their grandparents because they have created “movement memories.” I’m sure there are also plenty of times that they spend time with their grandchildren engaging in indoor activities too such as playing card or board games, but make no mistake that they make movement their priority in how they spend quality time with their grandkids.
So, what’s unique about this couple? They know their WHY. They understand that one of their greatest purposes in their retirement years is getting to know their grandchildren. For those of you who are either a parent or grandparent, you understand that kids are high energy and require a tremendous amount of work!
When I was a young mother to my two little boys, I have plenty of fond memories with both my sons, Andrew and Ryan, as we often played together at the park. I can still see a memory I have with Andrew as he proudly gave me a cheezy, grinning smile as he taunted me at the top of the play structure saying, “Try to catch me mom!” And you know what? I could chase him because I had the ability to run, climb, and jump in any direction his little body would try to escape.
Undoubtedly, this would always end up with me giving him a grabbing hug as I caught him and we would both break into giggle fits as we played tickle bugs! Shortly after I would get attacked by Ryan as he dog piled us and would yell, “Me too mom, chase me too!” and the whole thing would start all over!
My sons and I will always have these memories together because I was able to move in the ways that meant something special to both of them. Have I worked hard in my fitness these past several years? Absolutely! Has it been easy or convenient to always make movement a priority? No, but I wouldn’t change it for one moment because I know that I was able to bless my family because of my physical capabilities.
My question to you is: What is your “Why?” What is it that is waking you up every morning to jump out of bed and head to the Well Studio? Why is movement important to you? Or maybe think about who needs you to be strong in your life? Are you a caretaker for someone? Movement doesn’t just happen. You have to make it happen and make it a priority.
What I would like to encourage you to think about is that your movement is a blessing to other people. When you are strong and capable, you can help out a neighbor on their moving day by lifting heavy boxes or watching your grandkids for an overnight visit which requires all kinds of effort and energy from feeding them, to bathing them, and lifting them into car seats.
So, the next time you are in for a gym visit, personal training, or group exercise class, ponder about your WHY. Visualize in your mind the faces of the people who you love or the activities that you love engaging in. Let’s keep encouraging one another in the community to rise up and do the hard things so that we can be a blessing and not a burden to the people we love. Think about the type of legacy that you want to imprint into your friends and family and choose to make memories by the ways you move with them. I know it’s hard work carving out time to exercise, but let’s know our WHY so we can choose our HARD and make the world a better place because we CAN!
