Chapter 14, Day 2: EleFan: For the love of elephants (and other giant animals) I always arrive at the gym a little before my training appointment, in order to warm up. When I am early enough, I like to get a mile in on the treadmill. I am a creature of habit and hope to use the same treadmill every time, or at least one in that same area. Each treadmill has a mini-tv screen, which I find amazing. People just can’t do without constant stimulation of some sort. Headphones everywhere…. I can’t wear headphones…I feel closed in…They make me crazy. Anyway, near the treadmills are all kinds of cardio equipment, including stair climbers. If I’m not looking at my tv screen, I watch other people doing their workouts. On this day, there was man on a stair climber almost directly in front of me, at a slight angle. It was impossible not to notice him. He was quite tall, probably 6’3,” and at least 300 pounds. He bent over slightly, to step up, as the machine moved. This was unfortunate, because his tee shirt was a bit too small. His shorts were only sort of at his waist. Like many men with great ripples of belly fat, he wore his shorts below the multiple bellies, which were exposed because of the undersized tee. The worst of it, however, was the backside that was exposed, “crack” and all. The woman next to me was fairly hissing “Someone should tell him!” I couldn’t imagine how he didn’t feel the air on his naked skin. It was not a pleasant sight, but then I started thinking: “At least, he’s trying. What if that were my brother, or other loved one, or a friend?” I feel so grateful that I am not in that physical condition. How do people GET that way? So out of shape? In such poor health? I absolutely know…Unresolved emotional issues…Likely a lack of love, at some formative stage…No matter how we appear to others, on the outside, we are all doing the best we can, on the inside. Sometimes, we become overwhelmed, and it shows. Compassion, compassion… may we always have an abundant supply….
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 12:12:00 +0000