Monday – Fast:Forward Farther

September 12, 2012

Get Movin’

Recent research suggests those who sit at a desk for six hours or more each day are 40 percent more likely to die within 15 years than those who are stationary less than three hours. That should be a scary statistic for a lot of folks – including me sometimes when I have a full day of phone coaching sessions and then write a blog entry.

There are many ways to overcome a sedentary work style including getting up and walking around or visiting peers instead of emailing and calling. Exercise is good, too, which is why I awaken at oh-dark-thirty three days a week to swim. (Sidebar: The YMCA closed its indoor heated pool last week for three months to remodel. Until the weather gets too cold, they’re utilizing the outdoor pool. Monday it was an unseasonal 60 degrees at 6:45 a.m. That will wake you up when you hit the water.)

Perhaps the best solution would be to work in a field that doesn’t require sitting all day. There are certainly a lot of career options available – nursing, waitressing and lawn care come to mind. Postmen and policemen use to walk, but that was a generation ago.

This morning – sitting at my desk during a coaching call – I saw someone who combines the perfect wage-earning/exercising program. Outside my window a man was placing door hangers. What struck me is how he was dressed: dry-fit wicking muscle shirt, nylon shorts, running shoes, sun glasses and iPod band around his arm with ear buds connected. Then I noticed he was running, pretty much sprinting, door-to-door. And this was no spring chicken. He had gray hair.

I envision this gentleman spending all day running around neighborhoods. Certainly not getting wealthy distributing advertising materials, yet enjoying the fresh fall air and making his heart healthier. So, after you read this, get up and go for a walk. If you need inspiration, think of the ‘door hanger guy.’ Of course, if you’re really motivated, go for a swim. You can think of me while you’re doing laps.

May 21, 2012May 21, 2012

Backdoor Plans

Early this Monday morning I went through my daily exercise and stretching routine, then grabbed my swimsuit to change and head to the YMCA for my thrice-weekly hour in the pool. Glancing at my trunks, I noticed a three-inch long hole in the seam. Since I only keep one swimsuit on hand, I was disappointed there would be no swimming today. (My wife says I’ve become obsessed with the sport since taking it up two years ago… and I think she’s fairly accurate in that assessment.)

Suddenly, I sensed a tremendous surge of embarrassment flowing through my body, as it occurred to me that when I last swam, there is a strong possibility the lifeguards had a – how shall I say this? – unique view of my backside. Increasing that overwhelming feeling was the fact there is always an exercise class of older ladies occurring in the deep end while I swim. Wondering what they might have seen when I toweled off afterward added to my stress.

Having had a few minutes to think about this, it now seems rather humorous. There is a strong possibility no one noticed, and, if some did, well, it gave them a good laugh for a few minutes… or at least something to talk about when I left. (FYI: I always put on a pair of shorts over my swimsuit for the walk into and out of the Y, so get that vision out of your mind.)

Of course, there is a great lesson to be learned here. In everything you do, it’s important to ‘take a pause’ every so often and assess your organization – from top to bottom. You’ll be more successful by setting aside your routine for awhile to take a close look at the moving parts. That’s a much better approach than simply assuming everything is going along swimmingly.

July 27, 2009September 10, 2009

Time Passages

Two weeks ago, we put down our 16-year-old Golden Retriever. It was the first time I ever had to do something like that. We had dogs as I was growing up, but a friend of the family was called upon to handle that task on the two occasions it was needed. I recall coming home once each from high school and college, and learning we were no longer pet owners. That sort of made the whole passing of life thing a non-event; which is why I never imagined what it would feel like to go through that process.

As the day grew near, I was helping her up to go to the bathroom and she had pretty much stopped eating. We knew in our hearts it was the right thing, yet it grew increasingly more difficult to think about the inevitable. We decided on Monday that it would happen on Thursday, and the next 72 hours were filled with each of us spending time alone with her.

For a decade in our current home, whenever someone held the gate to our driveway open a second too long, she would tear out and head off to the neighbors. On Wednesday night, we opened it for her, and after pausing to give me a “Is this a setup?” look, she gingerly walked out, and we accompanied her slowly to visit her favorite yards. Then we took pictures with each of us and her.

On Thursday morning, I awakened with that queasy feeling in my stomach, knowing what would happen. As the hour drew near, I kept telling myself, “You’re her best friend, and this is the greatest gift you can give her” – then the tears flowed. When we arrived at the vet, our dog that for so many years went crazy with excitement there gingerly walked inside. We all said goodbye, then our oldest daughter and I accompanied her into the room. She looked at us with tired eyes, and I knew she was saying, “It’s OK, I’m ready.” We loved on her some more, and the vet shared what each of the three shots would do. Within five minutes, it was over, and she seemed so at peace – having lived a wonderful life.

Our family spent the rest of the day together, sharing stories and looking at pictures of our departed member. By Monday, the pain was gone, and today we smile whenever we think of her (although I still look out the window and expect to see her rolling in the grass…and think about putting her out at bedtime). Personally, I believe “All dogs go to Heaven.” After all, wouldn’t God want to have the most lovable, forgiving, loyal creatures in his Creation around him!

Addendum: When she was three, our now college-age daughter loved to have us read the Madeline books to her. One day she blurted out, “When we get a dog, I’m going to name her like Madeline’s dog.” A year later, we did…and she did. A son and another daughter followed, and the entire family is blessed to have had Genevieve in our lives.