​Motion
 
I sat in a large auditorium nearly 30 years ago for the first day of orientation for my doctor life.  One of the first things I remember hearing was a statement that set the pace for the rest of my life…so far.  As I teach students, treat patients, and watch the world in general, the truth has never been so apparent. 
 
Complacency, stagnation, and lethargy is the world’s pandemic that I study.  It’s causing early death, less than good life, and in my opinion, culture’s demise. I commonly ask people how their day, week, or weekend was; typically, I hear boring, deflated answers…”nothing much” is what I commonly hear when I ask what someone is up to.
 
Here’s what I getting at…the last 30 years for me have gone by in a blink; I ponder mortality more and more and realize my personal clock is ticking. ⏰. Sitting in stagnation, gaining weight, watching the world spin, and waiting to check out is not something you will hear me speak of or do.  Movement is crucial, healthy practices are paramount, and focus on positive pursuits is critical.
 
Many of the people I admire are a bit older than me, but still killing it, because they realize the secret.  Constant motion is the key, both in mind and in body.  You lose them with disuse…you all know this.
 
Now, get busy living!!
 
The quote I mentioned earlier is….
 
“Motion is life…”
Please take this seriously 🙏🏻
Tic, tock 🕰️

​SM

 
I consider (very much lately) the concept of grace.  It has many facets that keep circulating in my mind, so therefore I release them when I scribble my thoughts. 
 
Grace for me is about poise, calmness, and understanding.  I attempt daily to be patient in thinking before acting, planning before executing, breathing before reacting.  It’s often said that once an action is made, it’s nearly impossible to retrieve, so I strongly try to guard what I say, what I do, and what I “ put out there” in general.
 
I think it comes from my martial arts back ground, where one has to be in constant control, but another angle is that of grace in movement, posture, and action.  One should be light in their motions, delicate in their execution, and smooth in their actions.  It causes a calmer mind, a healthier body, and presumably a longer life.
 
The purpose of this writing today is more focused on the grace we have for others.  We forget constantly that the universe is not centered around us, but that we are a minuscule piece of it.  We need to consider that everyone is challenged with their own pain, their own damage, and Hefty baggage.  This is what grace really means to me….to have empathy for the people around us and patience with their “things.”
 
The inherent issue is that some will never have the grace for themselves or others, so we need to be vigilant and maintain a sense of protection from those sorts. This is where I personally reflect back to the martial arts and prepare for the event where my grace doesn’t matter.
 
Proverbially, I think it’s ok to be a “bull in a china shop…” as long as said bull is not smashing through and destroying the said shop…be a gentle bull in case it is needed.  It’s often said that we need to walk a mile in another’s shoes…I suppose this is what I’m getting at…just remember though, sometimes, you have to be the bull…
 
SM