Keep it Simple

I think in terms of physical, mental and spiritual fitness.

For physical, I try to do a 30-minute fast walk everyday. I remember finding some back exercises a couple of years ago on YouTube when I was having back and leg pain. I did these everyday, and kept going for a while after the pain went away. I’d like to get back to them. I noted them down in a little yellow notebook. I keep wondering where I put it 😀. But when I get back to them, I want to keep it simple and fun.

I sometimes do exercises in virtual reality too, where you can listen to music while punching obstacles coming at you.

For mental fitness, I liked simple activities, such as slow box or belly breathing and body scans. I’m not really into Yoga, but some stretches and positions are quite helpful. Again, I’d like to identify a simple set to do everyday. I don’t see anything magical or religious about Yoga. I just see it as light exercise to reduce tension and so on.

For spiritual fitness, I like to read or listen to the Bible and to material about the Bible. I also like to worship and pray. And fellowship and evangelism are also part of my routine. I probably don’t mix and mingle as much as I did when I was younger, but I try to get out on Sundays. I get a strong sense of fellowship on the web, and I like to promote and support sites that spread the good news.

I’ve loved music throughout my life, both secular and spiritual. In my younger days, I tended to align myself to particular styles. What’s worse is that I tended to sneer at other styles. For example, I hated most Irish music from the 1970s, particularly country and folk music, but now I’m quite nostalgic about it. Back in 1978, when I was a punk rocker, I publicly despised the Bee Gees, though I secretly liked them. I was watching a documentary about them last week, and the King of punk, Johnny Rotten/Lydon was praising them 😀.

And even as a Christian, I went through a long phase where I despised anything modern or “happy clappy”. Nowadays, I tend to see the good side of everything – the cup half full rather than half empty.

So now I’m interested in all styles, though I do have my preferences. Music can be helpful for physical (dance or movement while listening), mental and spiritual health. And I have a great appetite for music. Here are a few examples of secular and spiritual songs that bring me joy. I woke up one morning a couple of years ago and Rainbow Valley from 1968 was playing in my head – maybe in some kind of a dream that happens just before you wake. It was really strange because I hadn’t heard it for years. It was such a vivid dream. Since then, I’ve grown to love the song. Another song that I paid little attention to back in 1994 was Anytime You Need a Friend, but when I hear it now, it takes me back 32 years, which all feels very magical. And it has a nice message.