My left shoulder has been starting to act up over the last two weeks.  It's my rota-tor cuff which is something that has been causing problems for years now.  However, since I haven't been regularly working out over the last three years it really hasn't been causing problems, until now.  A couple nights ago it bothered me enough and kept me up tossing and turning for a couple of hours.

I've been working on some lateral lifts with light weights to help strengthen the muscles around my shoulder and for now it seems to be working.  But, I still get these episodes of pain that flare up once in a while. 

As a precaution I've also reduced the amount of weight that I'm lifting with each of the exercises I'm doing for my arms, chest, shoulder and back in an effort not to risk further damage.  Yes, for those of you who are saying I should have a doctor check it out, I've done that several times over the years and have even done therapy.  Cortisone and the option of an operation are my next alternatives.  I don't want the operation, but it's something that might be necessary if it gets even just a little worse.

Anyway, something I saw yesterday while driving home from an appointment caught my attention immediately.  The weather was in the high 80's, low humidity and no wind.  I had the windows down while I was driving and decided to turn the air conditioner on when I noticed a man of average height and build who looked like he was jogging on the side of the road.  As I was driving and got closer I saw that he wasn't actually jogging, but more of a walking pace, though it looked as if he were actually jogging.

Does that make sense?  He was an older man who had to be in his mid to late sixty's.  His arms and legs were performing the motions of someone jogging, but his pace was only that of someone taking a leisurely stroll.  He was wearing a baseball cap and had a towel around his neck and it looked as if he was breaking a sweat, after all, it was hot.  I came to a traffic light and continued to watch and notice how he was slowly moving along.  It almost looked as if he was going to fall down.

When I got home I started to think how strange it looked.  Here's a man that looked like he was either struggling or that's the best he could do while trying to go through the motions and yet, accomplishing very little.   

Now, don't get wrong, I am the last person to say that this man is only wasting his time or that he is not doing things the right way in order to reach what goals that he might have.  In fact, it's just the opposite.  I commend someone like this for at least taking that extra step or going the extra mile.  I don't know if this man is trying to stay in shape and improve his health or what.  It really doesn't matter what this man's objectives are, does it?

The point is that he is doing something.  He is doing something more than trying, no matter how it looks and what others might think!  Even though it looked as if he was struggling, he was still making an effort and a difference in his life.  For me, that's motivation and inspiration that I can use for myself, because sometimes I struggle with things.  I have a habit of generally making things harder to do than they actually need be, however, that's another topic for later.

Anyway, I thought I would share that little bit of inspiration with you and maybe it will give you the push you need to go beyond trying and actually doing things.


"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time"
Thomas A. Edison