Tag Archives: dailyprompt

Skip the Exercise

What part of my routine am I tempted to skip? That is the journal topic of the day suggested by WordPress. I am tempted to skip the truth and say cleaning or something less incriminating, but I hate exercising. I don’t like sweating, moving, hurting, aching, exerting, breathing heavily, pumping my heart, flexing my muscles, or anything of the sort.

I know I need to. I know it is important for my health, aging, bone density, healing processes, blah…blah…blah. I am not stupid or uninformed. I make myself do some exercise sometimes. But it hurts my joints, my nerves, my muscles, my bones. No matter what I do, be it stretching, swimming, biking, walking, dancing, yoga, you name it. It hurts and I am miserable before, during, and after. A good work out will leave me suffering for days.

Others say exercise is a good pain for them. That does not exist for me. I was an athlete as a child (a gymnast) and even enjoyed swimming, dancing, and ice skating into my late 30’s. By my 40’s, everything hurt too badly. Oh, well. There you have it. I am tempted to skip the exercise most days. A nice cup of tea and a good book, or better yet, a nap is much more inviting than pain.

President Jimmy Carter

The most famous person I have ever met is President Jimmy Carter. In 2010, he was visiting Austin at Book People on Lamar signing his book White House Diary and I waited in the long line to meet him. I had to go through security and do all the rigamarole required to meet a former president. It was worth it. I have not finished reading the book as it is a bit dry in parts, but it is a prized possession of mine.

He is one of my hero’s because of his humanitarian efforts. He just celebrated his 99th birthday, making him the longest-lived president in our nation’s history. He is also the 4th-oldest person alive currently who has served as a nation’s leader. The other 3 are Guillermo Rodriguez, former President of Ecuador – 100, Khamtai Siphandone, former prime minister, chairman, and president of Laos – 99, and Tomiichi Murayama, former prime minister of Japan – 99.

My husband and I sent a picture and well-wishes to contribute to the mosaic birthday card this year. Click this link to see all the people who sent in images and wishes. https://www.cartercenter.org/news/upcoming_events/promo/jimmy-carter-99th-birthday.html