Tasks: The Beginning of Self Discipline - Maybe

The winter we've been experiencing has left little opportunity to easily and safely head outdoors to enjoy a walk while breathing in the fresh, crisp air of February.  Did I really say that?  Since coming home, it's like there hasn't been a hint of relief front the weather we left when heading to Florida for a welcome treat of warm air and sunshine.  It's been too cold, too icy, too sloppy, and quite frankly, too dangerous to be walking out on the streets, make that roads since the sidewalks are simply sheets of uneven ice that could easily lead to a fall.  What then, does one do to get in the long promised commitment of a cardio workout 5 days a week?  I know, I know, I could go to the gym, any gym for that matter and join the legions of fitness buffs who are dressed like Olympic athletes, pushing themselves ever harder for that sleek, hardened look of toned self discipline.

Well, it's been too cold and I decided the answer for me was to get on the elliptical that we have up in our loft room, which reminds one of an attic with sloped ceilings, a big open space and lots of light.

Almost every day for 30 minutes since the beginning of January, I've been setting my computer to songs of the 70's, climbing on and cycling through the average of 7 songs to get to the end of my workout.  The physical activity helps the mind clear itself while creating an overall sense of well being. Funny how that works.  No energy when starting out, a sense of pure exhaustion about 15 minutes in and then a renewed sense of self by the end.

When not being taken back into the past by the music, the myriad of thoughts that pass through my mind while pumping along, can be somewhat exhilarating and tiring at the same time.  One decision I made as I looked around the room at the unfinished projects clamouring for completion, was that no new projects could be started until those in mid stream were finished.  Now that may seem like it was purely my idea but I can tell you with total honesty, that it was more likely words from Mike that were reverberating through my mind.  He is very good at starting something, working through it methodically, cleaning up after each session and continuing to the end.  Me?  Well I love to start things, and perhaps in the midst of one thing, get a bright idea about a complementary or coordinating idea, then start on that and can get several ideas into action and then get overwhelmed trying to figure out which one needs the most immediate attention!

This week, I started having a personal trainer come in to help me sort out and plan what other activities I can undertake to build up my strength within the limitations of my new, sausage like self.  As I explained to Tracy, it is not necessary to have someone stand watch over me like some military guard over a prisoner to do a workout.  It is more important to develop a plan, that once established helps provide a framework for improved functionality for everyday living.  It was a pleasant surprise that with her help, an initial plan was quickly developed leading to a good balance of cardio, strengthening and stretching to cover the bases.

Another thing that kept me busy for a few days was going through and laundering all my clothing purchases from Florida.  We had great fun at the discount stores for cheap and cheerful garments and even more fun thrift shopping at prices that spoil one for the price of clothes at home.  If you haven't had the experience, being able to look through the cast offs of the rich and famous is similar to that of playing dress up as a little girl in someone's trunk of clothes and feeling somewhat like Cinderella.

 The best part was that we shopped at church sponsored thrift shops and 100% or close to it, of the proceeds went right back to the church.  Some garments still had the original price tags!

Through all of the practical planning and implementation I continue to discern how God wants me to spend my time.  In order to be the best that I can be, certain things need to be in place such as those I've just discussed.  Order in the mind, brings peace to the soul and Lord knows, order in my mind can sometimes be a challenge even for God!  Many days bring thoughts of activity that simply can't be followed through by the body.  The energy levels are unreliable at best, often leaving me exhausted after even a relatively minor task.   This disparity requires a significant amount of patience with myself which I know, in the big picture, is an important step toward whatever my future might hold.  Sometimes, the slower one goes, the more one can accomplish.  Remind you of the fable of the tortoise and the hare?  I guess I'm in tortoise mode which will likely be a blessing in the end.

Next week brings the start of Lent which will allow for further reflection on how I consider the truly important things in life.  How fitting then that next weekend we plan to have two families of our kids and grandkids here for a skate at market square followed by them preparing dinner for us here at home! It's so rich and life giving to have a 2, 3 and 5 year old bouncing around the house building lego, playing dolls, getting out the button jar while wearing special hats from days gone by to maybe having a bath to play with the Playmobile boats that were my 30 year old son's when he was their age.  For me, that's pretty close to
heaven on earth.

While there's much more going on in the background, I will leave it for another day to ponder and simply take today for what it is, another opportunity to spend time with loved ones, watch the birds out back and give thanks for all that I've been blessed with.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and if even one person benefits from one thing that's been written, then the magic continues to reverberate around the world in ways that we can only imagine.

Have a great day, until next time,
Hugs
Liz
'Prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive'.