Take a drink and stand it up!
Grab those barbells and let’s do hammer curls. One, two, three…
Wide box step—right foot first.
Our faithful leader, Amanda, calls out the moves to 30+ seniors in our SilverSneakers exercise class at the YMCA. Five days a week.
I’ve not attended anything five days a week—until now. As a senior, I must be serious about exercise or I will quickly lose the mobility I still have.
The classes have taught me more than how to get a full-body workout. Three life lessons have also enriched me:
1.Showing up is a gift.
When I miss class for a day or two, my classmates notice. Are you OK?
they ask when I return. I heard you had the flu. Are back to normal?
On the days when it’s cold outside and some participants don’t attend, it affects all of us. Even more noticeable, however, is when everyone is there and the gym is crowded with exercisers. There’s greater energy in the room. The exercises seem more important. Amanda, encouraged, is more engaged as our leader. She demands and gets more out of us.
When I bring my presence to any gathering of people, it’s a vote, a way of saying: You and what we’re doing here is important.
2. I love and affirm another
person when I use their name.
Once I began asking my classmates their names, and then greeting them with it,
our friendships began to solidify. We shared more information with each other
before and after class. A couple of us met for lunch.
Now when I see a person for the second or third time in the equipment room, I introduce myself. Try to remember their name. Ask again when I forget. I notice when I’m called by name, I feel like I belong.
3. Most importantly, the class reminds me of a truth I heard from Dr. Tony Campolo, a professor-mentor:
You are what you’re committed to.
In younger years, I mistakenly thought I was a composite of what I looked like, my weight, how my kids reflected on me, or the salary I made at work. With age comes wisdom. What truly defines me are the commitments I’ve made as evidenced by my actions.
What’s first on my list every day? Is it a clean house? Or, quiet time with God? Is my priority the problems before me—how to back out of my muddy driveway or the rise in food prices—or checking on the elderly neighbor I haven’t seen in two days?
The mental, emotional, social, and physical benefits of the YMCA classes require:
- saying no to other opportunities,
- scheduling appointments around class time, and
- not letting myself off the hook when I’m tired.
My days are passing quickly. I can’t do everything. Each morning I must ask: What will I commit to today?