Issues. We all have them. Human beings forever have had them. Financial issues, social issues, academic issues. In the words of Julia Michaels, “Cause I got issues, but you got `em too.”
They seem to take over. We expect things to go a certain way and they don’t. We hope for something and it doesn’t happen. In this world we’ve lived in through 2020, the pandemic has brought on issues like we could have never expected. From lost jobs to virtual schooling, businesses closing and social gatherings at a minimum. Those tangible issues have brought on a whole slew of intangible issues. Missing out on time with loved ones due to gathering rules, feelings of anxiety about being in public or depression of being stuck inside, etc. The list goes on… and they are serious issues to recognize.
It’s in these moments of feeling let down or like there’s nowhere to go where we have to find a way to remain hopeful and push on to a better tomorrow. Matthew McConaughey said in his book Greenlights, “A denied expectation hurts more than a denied hope, while a fulfilled hope makes us happier than fulfilled expectation.” And this got me thinking about this past year and the opportunities that may come tomorrow, the next day, a week from now, and so on. See, if we are hopeful that rules change or things go back to normal at a certain date and it doesn’t happen, it’s not as big of an issue. But the same goes for fulfilled hope in tomorrow.
Remaining on the pandemic topic, with vaccines coming out and cities slowly opening up under rules and regulations that have now become the “new normal” we are hopeful for continued improvement. We see places like Texas lifting mandates and opening back up. We have warmer weather coming that will allow for more outdoor seating in places like New York where they are still under more strict regulations. There is hope. Hope that better days are ahead. That we’re taking steps in the right direction.
It’s so important that we remain hopeful. That we don’t focus on the issues we have. But instead, acknowledge the issues. Issues may even be seen as an opportunity to grow and develop strength through the hardship. But above it all, we must remain hopeful. Every warm day we’ve had recently can be a simple reminder to be hopeful that brighter and better days are ahead. Call it cliche, but I see it as a sign of encouragement. That we can be outside a little more, the winter coats are headed for storage, it stays lighter a little bit longer. It all provides a sense of hope.
When I think about hope, I think about where my hope comes from. For me, it’s my faith and my relationship with Christ. I know I can take any issue, any denied expectation or fulfilled hope and give it to God. I have to. He is where my strength comes from. As 2 Corinthians 3:12 says “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” He provided the strength to overcome weaknesses or issues. He provides fulfilled hopes that I must celebrate.
I encourage you, through new opportunity or current situations – whatever it is for you, that you focus on hope. Don’t dwell on the issues or denied expectations. But instead focus on the good, on the opportunities of a better tomorrow. Then, we’re able to give up our issues and shape the best version of ourselves.
WORKOUT
Issues can hit us from every angle. We see this so often along our fitness journey. Maybe it’s that extra cheat meal in your diet or allergies kicking your butt, or as was the case for me last week, a tweaked back. Whatever those issues are, it’s important we don’t focus on the denied expectations of looking or feeling a certain way. Instead, we need to be hopeful for every opportunity to get better.
This week, we are going to go back to the AMRAP (as many reps as possible) structure. This is in an effort, to look at each exercise as a chance to maximize each opportunity.
AMRAP Set-Up
Set a timer for 1 minute. Perform each exercise for As Many Reps As Possible. Go through blocks 1-4, rest for one minute, and repeat 2-3x.
Warm-up
Block 1:
-Air Squats
-Burpees
-Pushups
Block 2:
-Plank Get-ups (alternating arm each time)
-Sit-Ups
-Inchworms
Block 3:
-Stationary Lunges (alternating leg each time)
-Lunge Jumps (start in bottom position of lunge, jump up, pulling down leg knee up to the sky)
-Mountain Climbers
Block 4:
-Leg Raises (Alternating legs)
-Russian Twist
-Shoulder Taps
Cool Down
Hammer and Anvil 