Walk-pray-repeat

I am not a fit person. Even back at school I never did very well at sports. My favourite sport activity back then was basketball – and being tall was best skill I could contribute to the team. I admire people who draw their energy and joy from the physical exercises. Good on you gym-goers! At the same time, these people’s example usually makes me feel rather embarrassed instead of encouraging me to move my body! Watching TV shows on weight loss when Personal Trainers yelling at people to push harder in order to get results, make me feel even more paralyzed and feeling that this is not for me. Interestingly, once a year I can motivate myself to more intense and faithful workout every day when participating in the month of raising awareness for Cerebral Palsy – by walking 10 thousands steps a day and rising funds through Steptember. I do know benefits of staying fit and how important it is for my health. Dealing with serious scoliosis all my life, makes me aware that I have to be physically active. Although I love walking outdoors and swimming, there is always more occasions when I don’t do it and most of them are simply…. excuses! Couple of weeks ago I had a really bad back pain and immediately decided to go to my Chiropractor (a shout out to Ondrej Knedl at Optimal Spine) only realising that with the Covid situation this help is not advisable at the moment. So, exercises were back for my back. Then, I started to work from home and heard everyone talking about an importance of exercises as part of the daily routine during lockdown. So, I decided to make a deal with myself. I replaced the time of driving to work (20-25 minutes one way) with two daily walks at home (thanks for YouTube Walk at home workouts by Leslie Sansone). So far (week three) it works well, but don’t get too excited: I am faithful to my home walks but not feeling any great results and pleasure to do it. I just do, because it is good for me and my health in body and mind.

When I think about physical exercises, I very often think about the attitude many of us (including myself at times) have towards prayer. Some of us did not have very good formation in faith or experiences of prayer when we were growing up which made us feel unable to pray. I have heard people saying: “I know the prayer is good, but it is not for me, that’s for the churchgoers and for nuns. I feel awkward and do not really know what to do and when I try to pray, I do not feel that it brings any results to my soul.” Quite often we turn to prayer when we or our loved ones are unwell or when we are in troubles. We intensify our efforts in prayerful acts of faith as long as the challenging situation lasts. We promise God that we will continue our good deeds and religious practices even if the danger will be over. But now and then we do experience this special moment when we FEEL that GOD is OK with our prayer and we are full of desire to keep going in whatever form we are CONNECTED with Him. Despite the image and comparison of the physical experiences and spiritual exercises, our prayer does not always depends on efforts put into it (although they help a lot). Prayer is a RELATIONSHIP of LOVING KINDNESS. Prayer is an attitude of heart not a lip exercise. It is giving and receiving, talking and listening. Prayer is making sure that our heart is tune into the Giver of life and our good connection with God continues. Every act of devotion (I don’t like this word, I would prefer to say – our attempts to connect with God) is important and helpful but our efforts are only part of it because prayer is also God’s grace. Every time we pray we might not see results and we might not feel great and uplifted immediately. But we should not give up as it is still an important expression of our love and care to God and others.

Whatever your prayer is:

1. A minute of silence

2. A time of reading the Bible

3. A reflective moment of sipping coffee and wishing in your heart good health for your loved ones

4. An online video inspiring you to acts of kindness

5. A friendship hug (not right now, of course, please keep social distancing) and good thoughts about someone

6. A rosary being said while walking

1. A good cry and angry talk with God when feeling hopeless

2. An awe in your heart while watching the sunset

3. A thanksgiving for your children when tackling them to bed

4. A participation in the Eucharist

5. A frustration with your loved one and lack of ability to forgive

6. …

Keep on praying the way you do. Make a deal with yourself and God. Stay connected with HIM who wants what’s best for you. And let us keep walking.

May God bless you, may the Angels protect you and Covid avoid you.

Sr Grace