Reflections on Body, Mind & Spirit: Single-Leg Exercises for Improved Health, Embracing Challenges, Gratitude is Our Purpose
My November Reflection
Not giving up…no quit. I could have easily not golfed that cold and windy morning. Dressed in layer upon layer and donning a stocking cap, I stepped up to the tee box on the second tee, fighting against the wind to stay upright, I took the club back and through and watched the ball hit hard on the green and…ROLL. INTO. THE. HOLE. My first hole in one, ever.
The interesting thing the next day which was suppose to be colder was sunny and no wind. Pin was in a different placement, I smiled as I walked up, took the club back and through, beautiful ball took flight and landed…an inch…from…the…hole.
There may be cold and dark days or warm and sunny, either case, don’t quit. Don’t give up. As we head into the holiday season, it’s easy to say, I will do better after the first of the year. You could, but you can also do it right now, today. Demand more for yourself and do it today.
Body - What Standing On One Leg Can Tell You About Your Health
Much to the dismay of my clients, I incorporate single leg exercises such as single-leg squats or single-leg Romanian Deadlifts and in some instances, standing on one leg.
Seeing a study about standing on one leg really caught my attention. The study shows that it is a strong predictor of your strength, balance, and overall speed of aging. Specifically, standing on one leg (especially the non-dominant one) for 30 seconds was the most reliable predictor of aging.
“If you look at all these factors that decrease with age, the ability to balance on one leg was affected the most, or declined the most, with age. Chief among them: falls, which are the leading cause of injury for older Americans.” As stated by Kenton Kaufman, senior study author and director of the Motion Analysis Laboratory at Mayo Clinic.
Challenge for you:
Incorporate single-leg exercises and standing on one leg into your workout routine or even while you brush your teeth. Time yourself standing on one leg for 30 seconds, then try doing that with your eyes closed. Keep working on it!
Mind - Embrace the Challenges
While courageous human beings were forging democracy, Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her son, John Quincy Adams, on January 19, 1780. At the time, John Quincy Adams was a teenager traveling with his father, John Adams, to Europe during the American Revolution.
Abagail Adams wrote, "These are the hard times in which a genius would wish to live. Great necessities call forth great virtues. When a mind is raised and animated by scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities, which would otherwise lay dormant, wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman."
As history tells us, "Abigail wrote to encourage her son to embrace the challenges of the time to develop his character through adversity. Her words reflected her belief that difficult circumstances were opportunities for personal growth and leadership. John Quincy Adams would later go on to become the 6th President of the United States, embodying the ideals his mother encouraged."
These words in a letter from Abagail Adams to her son gave me pause. When times are difficult, when we are called to do more and be more, I am hopeful they will help to raise you up and give you hope.
Challenge for you:
Reflect where in your life you are being called to embrace and lean into your challenges.
Spirit - Thankful for Family
I am so very thankful for this past month as I was able to spend time with my sister and niece on the east coast and family and relatives on the west coast. I also enjoyed a short visit with one of my classmates I've known forever. It is true, heartfelt gratitude. I felt it in the moment I was sharing and upon reflection. With that gratitude brings awareness that others may not be in the same place.
This quote from William Damon touches upon what that means;
"From gratitude springs not only an enhanced appreciation for our own blessings but also a desire to pass such blessings along to others - the heart and soul of purpose."
Challenge for you:
As we enter into this holiday season, let us be grateful and embrace our purpose.
Quote I'm Reflecting Upon
"Devote the rest of your life to making progress." ~ Epictetus
To your reflection and health,
Lisa Schaffer
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