Seeing the sprit, not just the shell
I was stretching as those of us at my age should do. I saw a man walking, with a cane, and moving at an extremely slow pace, albeit by himself. I wondered…. had this older gentleman just had a stroke? Was he on Chemo? His labored steps were about 6 inches long and it took him 5 minutes to make his way to the room shown in the picture above. I watched him as he started to move his foot…. 6 inches up, then down, switching feet every so often.
I got kind of emotional. This guy was there by himself (I hope he didn’t drive) but was determined to work out. I thought, Jeeze! I sometimes blow off a work out. I often lose focus of the important things in life. I get wound up in the hustle and bustle of life and work. Sometimes I question if I can do all I need to do. I had to talk to this inspirational person. I introduced myself to him and we shook hands. A weak hand was extended and he gripped mine he could muster. I told him he inspired me and he looked great. He explained, “shoot, I haven’t been here in 2 weeks. I am 97 and do my best.” Well you look great and inspire me” I shared. He said “No, these young people in here inspire me.” (an aside, maybe he was considering me as a young person.) It’s all relevant guess. As I was ready to leave, he reached out with the feeble hand to shake hands again and said. “Thank You.” With tears in my eyes I said, “Not sir, Thank you!”
So my lessons today:
- Stop whining about getting old with all the aches and pains.
- Focus on the important things, Health, Life, Family.
- The inspiration you need may be coming your way. Disguised as a 97 year old feeble, yet amazingly STRONG man
- Look beyond the outside shell: Age, Race, Gender, Religion, or Lifestyle…. See the Spirit Inside
- You never know what reaching out to someone can do for them and you.