We are well on our way in our 2021 journey and the early read is, at best, mixed. But, in the middle of it all, there is still hope and an array of silver linings. It is a good time to reassess, count our blessing and develop a plan.
Which brings me to New Year’s Resolutions and crystal stairs. My new year’s resolution was to average 5,000 steps per day, a number that I have reached seldomly and with an average that is something akin to 2,000 steps light of that. But you know what? I am probably 1,000 steps a day ahead of last year. So, missing my stretch goal still got me to a higher level. And when I think about it that way it makes me want to keep going. On this subject, I read a Langston Hughes poem in 5th grade and it has resonated with me in every major challenging period in my life.
The poem is called “Mother to Son” and it was written in 1922 but it speaks so clearly to a MommaBear like me, even today. He begins in a MommaBear voice:
She goes on to say how she keeps going up those stairs even when it is really hard:
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
When there ain’t been no light.
She keeps going, seemingly half for herself and half for her son who she won’t let turn back because things seem kind of hard. This strong powerful woman, perhaps solely from Hughes’ mind or perhaps based on some strong mother figure in his life, has given me a path forward. Sometimes I can’t see the way or it just feels so hard – but the answer is to keep going – and often you end up in a better place that you could not have predicted.
So to all of the MommaBears out there – keep going! There is hope and we can help get there faster by being optimistic, working hard and finding the joys in the silver linings. And with that, we can help our kids and loved ones forge ahead as well.
She ends:
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
Check out the whole inspiring poem:
Mother to Son by Langston Hughes | Poetry Foundation
Benefits of Steps
Walking is one of the easiest exercises to do, is relatively low impact and can help reduce the risk of many health issues such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and depression. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes per week or an average or just over 20 minutes a day. Best of all, you don’t need special skills or an expensive gym membership and you can burn an estimated 300-450 calories per hour depending upon your weight and metabolism. Climbing up some stairs - crystal or other - is a bonus!
Getting Started is Easy as 1-2-3
- Get a spouse or partner to team up with you for a regularly scheduled walk a few times each week. If it is too cold, try walking at the local mall.
- Get a coworker to take a walk with you at lunch.
- Join a local walking group that you can find through Google Search or try to find one on:
