Advent Day Seven: Growing Old Isn’t for Sissies

In our home gym, we have these two posters on the wall from Northern Sun.

These posters remind us every single day that while growing old isn’t for sissies, we can still be powerful and fight the good fight by keeping our bodies in as best of shape as we can. I found out first hand that eating right and exercise doesn’t always prevent disease from entering the body,  but it can certainly make recovery much easier and faster.

Right now I know way too many people who are fighting the good fight. And damn, finding the right words to say and to hear are really hard. The things that helped me the most include: “Wow, that sucks, I bet you are in for some really gross treatment.” and all of these empathy cards from Emily McDowell. (I really like the one about punching the person who tells you everything happens for a reason.)

If we are lucky, we heal. We find ways to cope with our new normals. We do all kinds of mental exercises to limit pain and anxiety. And we keep on keeping on. I really like what Kristin Armstrong, gold medal cyclist with no relation to Lance, said about transitions. We used it for our PRESS mantra card the month of our move. I say it to myself all the time:

Times of transition are strenuous, but I love them. They are an opportunity to purge, rethink priorities and be intentional about new habits. We can make our new normal any way we want. 

Take some time today to think of those around you that you know and that you don’t know who are fighting the good fight. Hold them in the light. Offer healing love. Believe in their recovery.