Granny and Grandpa used to do the crossword puzzle every day because they wanted to retain mental sharpness. And it surely didn’t hurt! They were both sharp when they passed away at 80 and 94. And not long ago, I saw a man in the news who was in his 90’s who wanted to be part of a commemoration and so he went to a physical therapist for several months to strengthen his body so that he could make the trip and join occasion. Isn’t that impressive!?

Those generations ahead of me, were hard working people. They weren’t afraid of work (I think most considered it a privilege that offered them dignity versus the derogatory way some people view it today) and it showed in the things they were able to accomplish and the legacy they have left for us.

I hope to follow their tracks and continue to learn and set goals. Because we know what happens when we let things go! When we stop working on learning to play the piano (uh-hem, that hurts) or that second language; If we sit down and don’t get up much or if we stop bathing or eating well.

What happens is we get weak.

Weak in the mind, weak in our abilities and talents, weak in our families and weak in our bodies.

The deal is, if left to itself, nature rots like the garden compost pile. If we don’t move, our muscles atrophy. If we don’t bathe, bacteria eats our flesh. If a house is left empty, it deteriorates. If left unattended, our thoughts get blown about. If neglected and abandoned, our faith dies.

There is rehabilitation and healing for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual weakness. And it begins with desire and ends with blessed work.

Do you sometimes feel that it shouldn’t take so much effort to maintain a positive mental outlook? Or a feeling of spiritual strength and resolve? Well, those states of being are no different than a muscle that has atrophied. We must move and exercise our minds and our faith to make them stronger, just as we would do pull-ups to strengthen our arms.

Because they take effort does not mean that they contrived. It means that we live in the law of the harvest in this world and we must practice pushing back!

Push back those negative thoughts. Push back the doubt and fear. Push back the sluggishness. Push back the darkness.

Decide what you want to do. Decide who you want to serve. Decide what you want to learn. Decide when you will practice and lift and exercise and study and build and pray.

Then use your hunger for happiness and hope and joyfully move beyond where you were today.

Be well! Be you! The world needs you! Most importantly, your family (present and future) needs you.

Love,

Jacque