Photo illustrated by zoetnet
A guest post written by Ken Girard who represents Christian Science in the media and in government lawmaking in Massachusetts
For a while, I’ve been what some may describe as a “senior.” Many moons ago, the only significance the category “senior” had for me was aspiring to be one when I was a freshman!
Well, anyway, here I am at what’s supposed to be a time in which limitations on your activities paint you into an ever-tightening corner.
But here’s something that I’ve found out. Maybe – just maybe – we don’t have to succumb to the dictates of aging. We don’t have to lie down and take it gracefully or otherwise. And I’ve seen first-hand the benefits of not capitulating.
Over the last twelve-plus years, every aspect of my life has become increasingly more active – including some new really physically demanding ones.
For decades, I led a fairly sedentary life.
But that all changed in 1999.
My wife, Carolyn, had been an avid cyclist before I knew her. And each spring after we were married, she asked me if I’d like to go with her.
I immediately refused. Why? At the time I was a pianist and composer and throughout my musical studies, I had been educated to believe that I had to protect my hands at all costs.
So each spring, I pulled out my litany of reasons why I couldn’t – including referencing this famous pianist or that. True to form, any time I did engage in physically strenuous activity involving my hands, I felt the adverse effects for several days.
Well, one morning while praying – yes, I do that a lot – it became absolutely clear to me that these two essentially spiritual activities couldn’t conflict. So that spring I asked her if I could try out one of her bikes. And 50,000-plus miles and 6 or 7 bikes later, I’m still going strong. And even though I ride with folks who are younger, I keep up with and some times exceed them.
Now here’s the interesting part. I’ve never had a problem with my hands since.
All it took was a change of thought.
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Thanks Ken, I too am considered by some “a senior” but like you the only senior I ever aspired to be was when I was a freshman also. You also struck a chord with me on the piano thing. I used to teach piano and love to play but never really considered not doing something because of my hands. I guess maybe because I was and still am an avid gardner and use my hands all the time. And as for exercise people are amazed that I swim between 20-25 laps a day at the “Y” It’s not that I limit myself to only doing that many, it’s the time element envolved. I’m a slow swimmer and in the time frame I have that’s as many as I can do but I never have stopped because I’m tired. If fact I find it invigorating for me and it starts my day with joy and energy. We can do anything we wish to do if we just remove the human temptation to limit ourselves. God does not limit us, why should we limit ourselves? Prayer and limitation just don’t mix and I pray alot too. So, thanks for this post you’ve made me think about taking up biking which I used to love doing…all I need now is a bike. (smile)
Aging is like the mirage that looks as though the road ahead is growing narrow. As we continue to travel we discover that the width of the road stays the same. There is no reason why added years should cause us to narrow our expectations and opportunities. Mentally, as well as physically, the expectation of continued progress and development should be broader and higher. Thank you, Ken, for illustrating this higher concept.
Thanks for the dialog! Love the visual concept that you brought out, Evelyn,
that the narrowing of the road ahead is a mirage…but in fact, the width of the road (and our life) remains the same without restraints !
This example is an excellent reminder to be alert to the suggestions moving through one’s thought. Just today I was with some people who were talking about what they couldn’t do anymore because of having to slow down for age related difficulties.
I found myself quietly loving each one as God made man — in His image and likeness with the result being always good. It’s wonderful to learn that you can bring a blessing to any group, even if it is a silent one.
I loved this verse from a poem entitled “Forever Active” by Peter J. Henniker-Heaton:
“Man lives forever active at high noon./ He has no twilight years, no long declining/ Toward an horizon that will hide him soon,/ No cutoff date for retirement or resigning.”
Thank you for sharing your experience of mental and physical freedom.
Thanks Ken. I have been praying with the idea that God is perpetual good, fresh inspiration, so His expression of Life is perpetual and we are included in that expression. Our spiritual growth, identifying with the eternal life Christ reveals, frees us from “the law of sin and death” in all the aspects of our being, here and now and always.