Finding time to work out and stay fit and healthy is a challenge.
Fulfilling my commitments as a full time Entrepreneurship Fellow at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu a Workforce Development Consultant, a husband and a full time dad to three energetic, beautiful children is difficult. Something’s got to give. Too often it’s finding new business, but usually it’s the workout.
Prior to having children I ran long distance. I even completed the New York City Marathon! http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/ (Yeah well it took me over four hours… a 73 year old lady in pig tails sprinted passed me while crossing the Queensboro Bridge. How did I know she was 73? I read the back of her t-shirt that said so through the cloud of dust she left me in.)
OK so I wasn’t a world class athlete but I was always fit and healthy.
I rode my bicycle from the Westchester County border of the North Bronx to Washington D.C. in two thirteen hour days. I also trained in martial arts. In New York I studied Praying Mantis Kung Fu and Guang Ping style Tai Chi with Eddie Rodriguez, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guang_Ping_Yang_Tai_Chi_Chuan and Praying Mantis Kung Fu with Sifu Anthony Chuy http://www.northernmantis.com.
In Washington D.C. I ran, lifted weights, and studied Nyoka Mapiganu (Snake Style ground fighting) and Yang family style Tai Chi with Oso Tayari Casel http://www.tayaricasel.com.
For four years running I Sun Danced and fasted for four days in the woods of Southern Maryland with the Piscataway people http://www.piscatawaynation.org and Native American prayer warriors from the Caribbean and North, South, and Central American nations.
Now I am faced with my biggest fitness challenge; I am a suburban dad with a brick rambler, a two car garage, a minivan and three kids as well as full-time school and freelance work. How can I maintain the structural integrity of my house and my family while meeting the obligations of school and work without falling apart myself?
For guidance I turned to a quote from the Great Soul Mohandas K. Gandhi:
“The greatest lessons in life, if we but stoop and humble ourselves, we should learn not from the grown up learned men, but from the …children”
I will share what I’m doing to get healthy by playing and ask that you give me your ideas on how you find health, balance and happiness.
Here are the lessons on harmony of mind, body and spirit as taught to me by my children Amina 10, Nanichi 8 and Antonio
- Exercising the Heart
I was going to tell you how I strength train by playing with Toño.
Saturday was Antonio’s birthday and he played and danced and laughed all day. He played with his new toys all morning. This afternoon I picked him up to do shoulder presses with him instead he nestled his little round head into my neck and grabbed my cheek with one hand and yawned while his eyelashes fluttered as he tried to keep his eyes open.
Naps: Laying down with a little baby nestled in the crook of your arm, while your mind races through all the things you feel you must do right now, is the best exercise for your heart.
A baby’s deep rhythmic breathing, slows your breathing down. Your palpitating tat tat tat heart rate slows to a deep, slow poom…poom…poom. The warmth and glow of his little face, the gentle caress of his little hands, and that fresh baby scent remind you that this moment is only once in a lifetime. Nothing is more important than now, this nap, at this time. My love for my baby Toño overflows. My heart rate slows; my breathing is deep and relaxed. I give thanks for the blessing of this little life and mine.
We are at peace.
How have you shared your love today and put your heart at ease?
