To Do or Not To Do
courtesy of free photos on the Internet
Every Wednesday night I meet up with some senior friends and we line dance for fun and exercise. This weekly event has been a part of my life for about five years. I joined after my husband Charles died and a friend of ours invited me to ‘dance my troubles away’ in his line dance group.
I started and I’ve stayed. It is so much fun and it helps me to keep focused on the present and to make the most of my physical abilities while I still have them.
Other seniors I know prefer swimming or playing Bridge or knitting, sculpting, painting or golfing. I love listening to their stories and experiences just as they like to hear me share what line dancing has meant to me.
The older I get the more I see the importance of staying active in ways that keep me engaged, excited, and involved while using my mind and body.
An interested neighbor approached me at the grocery store the other day and asked if I still go to the gym. I said, “Yes, and I love it. I line dance too.”
She looked at me surprised. “Really? I just can’t get myself moving in the morning. It’s noon before I seem to be fully awake. How do you do it?” she questioned.
“I just get up, get dressed, eat and go. I don’t give myself any room for an excuse. I always enjoy myself once I’m in the midst of other like-minded people. ”
“I just don’t feel like it,” she said, emphasizing the word feel.
“I don’t give in to my feelings,” I said, and squeezed her hand. “If I did I’d likely stay home more often than not, especially now that I’m getting older.”
“Oh gosh,” she remarked, “you make it sound so easy. I’m afraid I give in to myself as though I were a little child.”
I laughed. “Not always easy,” I added, “but always worth the effort. You have a gym membership. How about meeting there next Tuesday? Or if you prefer we could take a walk at the park and go out for lunch afterwards.”
“Thanks. I’ll think about it,” she said.
I haven’t seen her since so I’m assuming she’s still thinking. No criticism intended, just an observation. We can talk or we can do. How about you?
“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (Psalm 46:5 NIV)
Karen. You always inspire me to keep growing. I love your positive attitude and your incredible discipline to exercise and have fun while line dancing. Thank you for your great example of how to stay enthusiastic,fit and have clear thinking as we grow older. Bravo for you!! Love you.
Sandy
Thanks for your encouragement, Sandy You’re aways there for me.
You are very wise to keep moving just as long as you can. You are right when you say you have to ‘just do it and not think about if you feel like it’! When I started having problems walking a long time YOUNG friend of mine with whom I still stayed in touch and SHE had a lot fo physical problems~ told me I should get a scooter and save my legs!! She had been using one for a long time! I told her the best way to loose your legs is to NOT use them! You have to keep moving as long as you can. Well somehow I managed to keep moving without a walker for several years and even tho I do not “feel” like walking I know if I stop walking I would soon not be able to walk at all, so Margaret is going to keep on walking as long as she can! I was in my late 60’s when the balance/walking problem began and I managed to not use a walker until I was 80, and then only when I went out but soon after I was 84 I had to face reality and for safeties sake I use the walker all the time now and even now I ‘almost fall’but I know what I have to do to keep from falling and I just do it!! But I am stubborn so when I first get up in the mornings I say: ” okay God, you and I can do this together” and we do! Thank you God! I am so blessed!
Keep on keeping on, Karen. I feel sure you have MANY more years to keep dancing. I loved to dance~ good exercise. Love to you, Margaret
Thanks for cheering me on, Margaret, and for doing whatever you can do with what you have. That’s what it’s all about.
I am going to dust off my line dancing videos again after reading that, Karen. You are so right about feelings. For years, I gave into feelings on all the wrong things! I ignored gut “feelings” that turned out to be the Holy Spirit warning me about something, but then gave into feelings I should have ignored that were just self-indulgence.
Now life goes much smoother and healthier when I listen to the Holy Spirit warnings, but with the healthy self-care choices, I (nearly always) just don’t let those feelings have a vote. They don’t have my best interests at heart!
Keep on keepin’ on, Karen! You inspire people!
Thanks for your wise words and an example of your experience. I love hearing from you, Kristi.
When my husband passed away from Alzheimer’s I said to myself what do I do now? I visited with him 3-4 times a week and all of a sudden I found myself with nothing to do. While driving home the Lord spoke to me to go to church. Since I was a cradle Lutheran, I tried a Lutheran church close to me, but it just didn’t feel comfortable. A friend ask me if I would like to try her church, it’s Episcopalan, so I tried it out. I stepped one foot in the door and knew I was home. So, I’ve become very active and with my job at PetSmart in the Doggie Day Camp I am very busy. I thank God, every day for hHis guidness.
Wonderful to hear your experiences ,Judi. Thanks for inspiring all of us with your willingness to keep on going even after your husband passed away. It’s clear that God has more for you to do while here on earth.
You, my dear, are amazing. Inspiration. I’m sure you don’t even know how to spell, “layzie”
Thanks, Heidi. You are so encouraging.