THE LITTLE THINGS WE DO

Character is shown when you are generous to people who may never be able to return your kindness. Character is how you treat the vulnerable. It is a mother caring for children or an adult mentoring a youth. Or maybe it is shown by Karen, the lifeguard who works at the YMCA on Saturday afternoons.

I am a member at my local YMCA and right after Christmas had some difficulty walking. I had to exercise at home before I could even return to the gym.

What I really wanted was to exercise at the YMCA pool. The warm, salty water would be soothing to my achy muscles, but more important, exercising in that water would greatly enhance my recovery. It was weeks before I was steady enough to walk down the steps of the pool to get into the water or surefooted enough to even venture into the damp, slippery pool area. I was afraid of a fall on the concrete or maybe getting a cramp while swimming. 

A wave of shame overpowered me the first time I walked into the pool area. A lifeguard, Karen, approached as I grappled with the handrail while easing into the pool. She made small talk until I was safely in the water. 

The water was liberating and I could exercise in a way I couldn't otherwise. Still, I quickly grew tired and could only swim a few laps. Karen was kind enough to give me some water weights so I could exercise my arms while wading back and forth in the deep water, getting the exercise I needed. 

When I finished, Karen met me at the steps. She allowed me the independence of walking up and to a nearby bench and we chatted. I knew she wanted to make sure I was able to walk to the dressing room, but still needed to rest.

I mentioned feeling vulnerable and embarrassed. She was so kind and encouraging that I soon felt at ease. What could have been a humiliating event was pleasant because of her kindness. Because of her, I continued to come to the pool to exercise.

If you asked her, she might say she was only doing her job. She might not think her kindness was anything out of the ordinary. Good people are like that.

KEEP MOVING

Those who follow my current blog posts know I've been doing a little rehabbing. It's going well and I am walking short distances without a cane.

Even before that, my son and I got a family membership at the local YMCA. It was convenient, only a few minutes from my home. Had I realized what a membership had to offer, I would have joined long ago.

I remember being nineteen-years-old and taking my first college physical education course. The coach talked about how the body hits its peak in your twenties and by thirty, without proper maintenance, it is on a downhill journey. 

"Hah," I thought. "Not me." 

I was sure I would be young forever--effortlessly.

Many, many years later I was discussing this matter with Dr. Scott Morris of The Church Health Center in Memphis, http://www.churchhealthcenter.org/ . He said something I never really considered. Dr. Morris said that God created our bodies for movement.

I never really thought about it like that. If God created our bodies for movement, why was I acting like a couch potato?

I have lots of excuses, some legitimate, some are not.

The bottom line is, I feel better after going to the gym. Yeah, I'm sweaty and sore and all that, but there are benefits, too. There are those endorphins running through my body, almost immediately making me feel more happy. I sleep better at night and feel more rested the next day. Of course, there are the health benefits, a stronger body, stamina, range of motion, and if one's lucky, you'll lose a pound or two.

I have more to say about exercise and the YMCA, but that's all for today.

CASTING YOUR NETS INTO THE WATER

 I want to share this story because I have heard it myself several times this week. When I hear a story repeatedly, I get to thinking that God might be trying to tell me something.

The story begins with Jesus teaching a crowd along the river, in Galilee. The crowd pressed so close that Peter, a fisherman, allows his boat to be used by Jesus. Jesus climbs in and continues to teach.

Perhaps as a way of thanking Peter, when he gets out of the boat, Jesus instructs his friend to cast his nets into the water. Peter responds that it is the wrong time to catch fish, but if Jesus said to do it, he would obey. As it turned out, Peter had to call for help because the catch was so great.

Sometimes I think I'm like Peter. Jesus gives him a blessing, but he argues and says, "Thanks, but that isn't the way things work." If Peter hadn't put his net, he would have never known what he'd missed.

How many things have I missed out on because I hesitated? How many blessings have I missed because of my indecision? 

I have voices in my head, loud voices that tell me that I can't do things that others do. They tell me I'm not talented enough. I'm not athletic enough. I'm not creative enough. I don't have the right connections. I'm too old and the time for change has left me behind. 

Life doesn't have to put up roadblocks for me. I do that all by myself.

My son isn't like that. He frequently has the courage I lack. As I watch him, I think I should be braver. I need to walk out on faith more often. I need to cast my nets and stop missing out on the blessings. 

I hope you will do the same.

MARCH OVERVIEW

 

As a child attending school in Texas, the changing of the calendar was a big deal. The teacher would take down the calendar for one month and replace it with the new month with great fanfare. A new month offered new opportunities. 

As a child, it seemed like an exciting thing. To this day, there is still a little thrill in the changing of the calendar.

This morning I did a little research about the month of March—one of my favorite months—since it is when I was born. Daylight Saving Time is March 8. In March we have the 2^nd Friday the 13 of the year. Palm Sunday is March 29^th.

This is International Women's Month and Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science & Engineering Month. This reminds me of the episode in The Big Bang Theory where the nerdy scientists are sent to a high school to encourage girls to consider careers in science and engineering. They eventually call their girlfriends, Bernadette and Amy—who are also scientists—to do an impromptu Skype for the group. Bernadette and Amy, who happen to be dressed as Disney Princesses, Skype about the virtues of careers in Science. The school girls are left unimpressed.

This week is National Ghostwriter Week. Since we don't know the names of the ghostwriters, it is hard to wish them well. It is also Return the Borrowed Book Week. I was always the worst. I never remembered to return the books I borrowed. 

Since I'm so bad at returning books, the next celebration was made for me; National Read an E-Book Week. EBooks are convenient and you can adjust the size of the print and glare on the screen. That is very important for my old eyes.

As you probably know, I have a series of eBooks available with Desert Breeze and on Amazon. You can learn more about my eBooks on the "About Me" section of my blog.

The best thing about March is that it is usually a sign that spring isn't far away.

Shine A Light On Slavery Day.

In the U.S.A we study the Emancipation Proclamation and think that slavery has ended. Freedom for all no longer ended at the Mason-Dixon line when this document was signed by President Lincoln.

When I became an adult, it was shocking to realize that slavery, legally, still exists in many parts of the world. Weren't we all enlightened enough to know that one person shouldn't own another?

In the 1990s there was publicity about slavery in the Sudan, where Muslims were attacking mostly Christian villages and stealing young adults and children to sell into slavery in Muslim territories. Young girls sold at the highest price.

I remember a sad documentary where a father was using an American agency to try to locate all the members of his family to buy back their freedom. He located the children and eventually his wife and the agency paid for the return of each. It ended with the husband vowing he would not ask about anything his wife was forced to do for her "master" while she was his slave.

Even in "civilized" countries there is an underbelly of evil where illegal slavery exists. Underground networks keep women captive for sex trafficking. I can't even imagine the kinds of people who would frequent such a place.

There are organizations trying to address these issues and make a change. Here are some that were passed on to me:

 https://www.freetheslaves.net/   --Works to liberate slaves around the world.

 http://www.theexodusroad.com/about/  --Funds rescue missions in Asia and the U.S.A.

This site truly touched my heart because it showed such hope. Former sex trafficking victims are rebuilding their lives by designing and selling jewelry. I think I may do some shopping, buy some jewelry and help change lives, all at the same time. Here's the site:

 http://www.emancipationnetwork.org/

FACING CHALLENGES

The past few months have been challenging. I've never been very athletic, but I've always been able to get around. At the moment, I'm recovering from an episode of sciatica. It's left me in pain that has affected both my sleep and ability to walk.

As I go through an average day at work or home, I think about where I'm walking and obstacles to reaching my destination. I worry about steps, curbs, long hallways at school, uneven playgrounds, and parking lots.

For the past week weather has not been good. That means that icy, wet, or slippery sidewalks have kept me inside. It's as if  I'm surrounded by literal stumbling blocks.

After two months I started to get discouraged and needed a change in attitude.

All those positive thinkers talk about looking at adversities and thinking about them as opportunities. I'm not too sure how to do this. I do try to regularly visit the YMCE and each time I increase my time exercising on the elliptical machine to encourage bending joints. I spend more time in the swimming pool, exercising my back and legs.

The ice storm threw another obstacle to my exercise program. Fortunately, I was able to find an exercises on-line to tide me over till TN gets a thaw.

I try not to think of the length of a hall or the height of stairs before I walk them. Instead, I wait till I have completed an errand (crossing the Walmart parking lot, getting my prescription, and returning to the car) and think about how well I accomplished the task. Staff at the schools where I work have noticed my improvements.

It is a slow process, but the obstacles are becoming less. I have moments that are setbacks, especially during the morning or in the late evening. Looking at the tasks I've completed as accomplishments helps me see the progress I'm making.

I am a person of faith. Faith, prayer, and gratitude helps during discouraging moments.

It's always important for us to recognize progress we have made. Be kind to yourself. Focus on progress you've made, too.

CABIN FEVER

We've had a lot of ice around here. School has been out. Businesses are closing. No, it is nothing like Boston or cities up north, but we aren't northerners. We aren't accustomed to this kind of thing.

I've made my share of hot drinks, chili, soups, and pop corn. I've watched TV, played on the Internet, dusted, and read books.  Thank goodness for my Kindle and Amazon.

Still, I'm getting grouchy. I am tired of the dogs getting underfoot and even my son and I are occupying opposite floors of the house. How do Alaskans deal with it?

Fortunately, I don't have much longer to be stuck in the house. The below freezing temperatures today are supposed to reach 60 tomorrow--60 degrees and rain. I don't think the rain will keep me in the house, though.

For all of you who are still frozen in, try to take it one day at a time.

Winter can't last forever.

Soon spring will come.

Think daffodil thoughts and try to be good to all those who are stranded inside with you.