Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 1338 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Exercising Your Soul, Mind, and Body – Ask Gramps

Wisdom - the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1338 of our Trek and time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time where we can ‘Ask Gramps.’  Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.

We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable.  If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com

So the question for this week is:

“Hey Gramps, during the winter months, it is difficult to remain active. It seems like my energy levels really plummet. It not only affects me physically, but also mentally, and spiritually. What tips do you have that will help to build my energy levels? 

Exercising Your Soul, Mind, and Body

This is natural, and happens to all of us at times. When we are lacking energy, we tend to put off what will actually re-energize us. Although it seems contrary, physical exercise actually will boost your energy levels. It does seem backward.  You would think that exercise would make you feel more tired. For most people, however, it actually gives them more energy.  Since I broke my femur bone almost three years ago, I still have pain in that leg, which I would not have had otherwise. The interesting aspect of this is that when I do not exercise, the pain actually becomes worst.  Here is why physical exercise will give you more energy, not less. It does not require extensive cross-fit type training to be effective.

Any exercise or physical activity that gets the heart rate up and the blood flowing and releases endorphins is going to raise your energy level. Good cardiovascular exercises will strengthen your heart and give you more stamina. In addition to that, aerobic exercise has been shown to be among the best when it comes to helping ease symptoms of depression. So this will not only help your physical energy level, but also your renew your mind. Lower-intensity exercise, such as yoga, has also shown potential benefits when it comes to mood. Research suggests yoga may help reduce depression and anxiety. Physical activity, even if it’s not intense, routine exercise, was associated with lower levels of depression.

Which are the best energy-boosting exercises? It's really up to you and what you like to do. “It's not going to work if you don't like it. It's got to be something that's enjoyable that serves the aerobic goal.” It is also important to maintain a healthy diet, cut out the sweets, and increase protein to rebuild muscles to reap the most benefits from your workouts. As far as what type of physical activity is best for you. Pick something that you enjoy. Play a game of basketball, football, or tennis. Go jogging or walking with a friend, or go for a bike ride. Take some time for yourself and rock out to music or watch a favorite TV show while you step away the miles on an elliptical or stair-climbing machine at the gym. Go for a hike, or take your kids outside to the park and play with them.

You can also try aerobic classes. Such as kickboxing or other martial arts class, a spinning class, or any aerobic fitness class offered by a local gym, or even at home. The key is to find what you enjoy, stick with it, and reap the ongoing benefits of a regular workout routine.

You also mentioned you lack spiritual energy. Our Christian walk reflects our spiritual life in the same way as exercise is to our physical life. The more active we are in serving the Lord, the more you will enjoy it. If we sit around feeling sorry for yourself, you will get tired and sluggish. When you give of yourself to others, you gain blessings in return. Jesus said it this way in Luke 6:38:

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

 When we sacrifice to honor the Lord and to bless others, we find joy. The great apostle Paul said Philippians 2:17, But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

This does not need to be something grandiose. It could be sacrificing time and money to go on short term mission trips to assist others that are destitute. It can be just as important to give of your time or resources to help those in need locally. In both cases, you will find great joy because you gave and sacrificed.

When we think of others, we take our eyes off of our own problems. Like my Grandma Burkhart would say, “A dog in the hunt doesn't notice his fleas.” Paul's words come back to me as I think about this principle in Philippians 2:3-4:

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

So the lack of energy can be solved by being active physically, mentally, and, most of all, spiritually.

That is a wrap for today’s question. Join us again next Friday for another question on our ‘Ask Gramps’ episode. Our next trek is Mediation Monday, where we will help you reflect on what is most important in life. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' If you would like to listen to any of the past 1337 daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player, so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most of all, your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek of life together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to ’Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,' and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday’! See you on Monday!