Bucket List Practice #8 - Moving

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011. (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.) Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below. We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life. The second week January we'll explore practices related to ourselves.

We're changing gears a little this week. Last week our focus was related to us and God. This week's focus is related to yourself.

Today's practice is to move around and be active. Exercise is typically the number one New Year's resolution, and rightly so if you want to live an integrated life. It boosts our energy, strengthens our muscles and bones, helps our heart, lowers stress and much more. Those are all things that we engage on a daily basis, so I think we all agree how important exercise is! But many of us reading this probably have desk jobs where we sit  most of the day. And the more electronic gadgets we have created, the more sedentary our lifestyle has become.  At least Nintendo Wii was brilliant enough to combine video games and exercise. 

But, keeping in the spirit of the Bucket List, the point of this suggestion is not to turn you into Richard Simmons over night.  (Actually, I would never wish over anyone to turn into Richard Simmons.) The point is for you to get a taste of integrated, healthy living. And if you choose to be more active or exercise regularly, even better!  Bonus 50 points for me.

So today, let's get the blood flowing and practice moving around more often than you normally would. Integrate a little more activity into your daily routine. If you usually use an elevator, take the stairs. Do some pushups when you get up in the morning. Instead of driving, walk or bike if the place is near enough.  Or maybe catch a pick-up basketball game before or after work. Those are just some ideas. Of course, don't over-do it, especially if you decide to walk 30 miles to work or if your health currently limits some of your physical activity. Oh, and make sure to stretch. I'd hate to hear about people pulling hamstrings walking up a flight of stairs.