My exercise regime got off track during the middle of the pandemic (not sure it was actually the middle now, as this thing has dragged on for so long), and I have been struggling to get back on track. Part of this (or should I say, most of this) includes early morning runs with my youngest son, who puts me through the wringer. He’s 1 month shy of turning 19, is a rugby player, and has been working out 2 – 3 times per day over the past four months. So he’s in a tad better shape than his dear old dad!
It wasn’t that long ago (or maybe it was?) that I could hold my own with my kids in most sports. I should mention that my eldest son is 20 and a big time soccer (futbol) player. But suddenly age (no, I mean the pandemic) reared its ugly head. So at this point, my goal is to just make it out of any athletic interaction with them feeling alive and not too hurt.
So after getting my ass kicked yet again this morning, I did whatever any self-respecting man would do. I looked around to see if I could spot anyone exercising who was in worse shape than me – you know, something to make me feel better. A quick pick-me-up for my self-esteem. And low and behold, I found the perfect candidate.
As the daylight broke, a ray of light illuminated a man walking towards me. I could say that he was obese and having trouble walking, but that wasn’t the case. I could also say that he was sweating and breathing heavily, but again, that wasn’t true. Instead, he was a slightly overweight, middle-aged man wearing ankle weights and off for a leisurely stroll in what was obviously his morning exercise.
What caught my attention, however, was that he was puffing on a cigarette, with a half a pack of additional cigarettes in his left hand, and a coke in his right (not even a Diet Coke, mind you). And suddenly, I was feeling a bit better about my own physical shape. At least I was better off than that guy. Of course, what would have been even better would have been if he was eating a Twinkie, so I was silently cursing the guy for not doing so. But I’ll take what I can get. Long story to say, I’m feeling pretty good about myself today!
In all seriousness, though, we have all been through the wringer in different areas of our lives over the past two years, and it would be way too easy to get down on ourselves for what was lost or changed. Instead, we need to concentrate on the good things that life has brought us. If we search hard enough, I think we can all find something good that has come out of this year, despite all of the bad. And while concentrating on that one item may not change your life, it may improve your day, or at least a portion of your day. And who couldn’t use a better day now and then?
As I am getting my ass kicked repeatedly by my kids, I choose to look at the gift of spending time with them. The fact that they even want to spend time with me at their age is a blessing. And while my ego would like for me to win on occasion, there is truly nothing that I would rather be doing at that moment.