Purposeful Movements
Sunlight peeks through the canopy of a hundred year old forest, gently piercing through to the path in front of me. As I walk, the rocks and thicket cause me to carefully direct each step. Ahead the path splits and the light and shadows shift on my choices. I can clearly see each, but I am not sure which one will take me to my desired destination.
Time is important to me. If I go the wrong way, there will be delays, boredom, difficulty and frustration. I may even get lost altogether. I am intentional and I don’t want to waste a moment of my life. I appreciate the beauty of the path. The hundreds of hues of green and the delicate movement of the foliage give me a sense of peace in knowing that life is more than the drama I experience. There is so much more. In this place, I hear the sounds of the forest reminding me that the world is vast and diverse. The tweets and clicks are peaceful. I am not rushing, but though this is a beautiful journey, I have a purpose.
Our lives are very much like this scene everyday. We may have hundreds of decisions to make each and everyday that are a part of our life’s journey. We can see the options before us. If I get out of bed early, I will be able to work on that project, do the dishes or fold the laundry before going to school. I can set my alarm, but if I hit the snooze button, I have decided not to take advantage of the time productively. It might be a small decision, but it could lead to the need for more decisions. If the laundry wasn’t folded, should I wear wrinkly clothes or iron? Each of these choices hold their own implications.
Taking the time to enjoy the here and now is not always easy. Especially when demands on our time are great. I once had the opportunity to talk with a young mother who was suffering from back pain. As we talked about body mechanics and good or bad positions, stretching and other activities, one phrase kept coming to mind. Use purposeful movements.
I think of that often. It’s application moves well beyond physical movements that strengthen back muscle and prevent injury. If we spend our lives using purposeful movements, we won’t waste it.
Life is precious. You only have one. As you travel your path, are you thinking about what you are thinking about and making decisions on purpose?