Body politics

[Right: Rock-climbing in Salt Lake City, UT; summer 2005]

Those of you who know me at all know that I like being active. I especially love playing sports—soccer/football, baseball, softball, volleyball, swimming, tennis, badminton, water-polo—you name it, I probably enjoy doing it. Currently, I’m limited by time to just intramural softball on Fridays and soccer on Saturdays. I’m not even finding time to hit the gym (which I also enjoy … most of the time). I loved surfing when I tried it out, I loved rock-climbing when I tried it out, and I’m pretty sure I’d enjoy most activities requiring physical exertion and adeptness.

Fortunately, I’ve been blessed with good health and few injuries. However, I am still playing softball despite a sore wrist (from landing on it a month or so ago while playing soccer) and a sore thumb (from landing on it a couple months ago while playing soccer); I also got hit by a softball last week on my index finger and knee (yes, I know I’m supposed to catch it with my glove). And I’m still playing soccer despite various lower body ailments (ankle, calf, knee, hip) caused by fouls, collisions and other side-effects of three-hour sessions.

Some would sigh and bemoan the fact that I ought to be taking better care of my body and not playing 110% all the time, maybe resting once in awhile; in fact, some have. The argument, which makes much sense, is that I could be more physically active for longer if I just calmed down a little bit. But the way I see it (and I’m totally open to being wrong), I have no idea when my body will break down with age or incident (whether I ‘take care’ of it or not), so I suppose I’m going to make the most of the physical ability God’s given me while I still have it. Obviously, I’m not going to kill myself with exercise—at least, it’s not my intention, and God’s been good to me in helping me avoid any serious injuries (barring a fractured leg a few years ago that was completely not my fault). Long may the grace continue.

On a separate note, congrats to Micah and Christie on getting married this coming weekend, to Matt and Sara on their two-year anniversary today, and Daren and Helen on their anniversary tomorrow (I forget how many years it is now—fourteen?). And happy birthday to Christie last week, to Fi (as she turned 21 … again), and to Abi and Mom this coming weekend.

Big love to y’all,
Jus.