The image of a woman napping on a summit is going to stick with me for some time to come! Just don’t try it at the top of a 14er or you may never wake up again! Still, I think there’s a painting in this. Mind you, I’m an artist of the written word, not one who uses oils, acrylics, and watercolors. But it would make a pretty cool image–symbolic in many directions.

Yes, sometimes our efforts–both in and out of the gym–are more pleasant in retrospect than at the time we’re making the effort. Anyone who has been through the process of divorce is likely to agree with that. The process can be . . . challenging. (That was me stopping myself from using impolite language.) The outcome can be wonderful.

But “easy does it” is a concept that works for people outside the realm of Alcoholics Anonymous. Enjoying the journey–as well as the outcome, whether it is a summit or a strong body–is a very good thing.

Melanie

Another great post! I used to lift weights a lot, mostly to burn off anger and frustration. I think I overdosed, because now I avoid the gym completely. However, I’m sure I’ll be back. Reading your post actually makes me want to go. There is a lot of wisdom in weight rooms, isn’t there? And in other everyday things.

Re: “would it be better if I were not actually in the weight room on those not so good days?” I know that feeling well. This past weekend, I summited Bear Mountain. I usually love the physical challenge of difficult hikes like that one, but this weekend, I was physically off. In fact, I had to take a nap at the summit, leaving my partner to hike further (which we had originally intended). The best part of the hike was being back in the car, sitting down. In retrospect, however, it was worth it. The hike looks more beautiful from the vantage point of memory. Despite the pain, I’m glad I did it.

Drea

You make a very good point. If one is an athlete, training with weights is all the more important as one ages. (And when a legendary big wall climber like you says you need to do it, we should all sit up and take notice!) But even those of us who are just trying to live a good life should take note of what you say. As we age, weight training is one way to build muscle, protect one’s bone structure, and otherwise stay fit for life. And that is why there are so many people over the age of 50 at the gym!

Thanks for your wisdom, Sibylle.

Melanie

I’ve found that as I get older, I need to train more in the weight room in winter in order to then climb outdoors in the summer. Last winter, I took a great weight course at the Boulder Rec Center to rehab my shoulder.
One of the coaches for nordic ski racing in Summit county says,
“Under 50, it helps to weight train.
Over 50, you must train with weights!”

Great post! Seems to me we are called to reinvent ourselves again and again while in human form. It is interesting, though, how often it takes what you have called a life-altering experience to spur us on to reinventing ourselves. I (and many readers of this blog, I suspect) would love to hear your own experiences with that, if you are willing to share them.

Over and over again, I have also had the experience of needing to just put one foot in front of the other. And I have coached many clients to do the same. At the gym, I am most inspired by those who seem to be new to the weight room and with the elders. These people are committed to putting one foot in front of the other and there is courage to it. Where the elders are concerned, some are old enough to be my parents–and I’m 59! They inspire me to keep on.

The weight room is certainly not for everyone and I’m a big fan of folks finding what works for them. Tai Chi has hundreds (or thousands) of years behind it. It’s beutiful, elegant . . . and not at all as easy as it looks! You’re right about being present and staying focused. It’s important in Tai Chi, in the weight room, and in our lives outside of both.

There will be a Part II to Life Lessons from the Weight Room and this issue of presence and focus will be a part of it, so stay tuned.

Melanie

I don’t spend much time in the weight room but have found that tai chi helps me to combine the energies of mind, body, spirit and universe. I used to get almost the same feeling running long distances on the foothill trails. You have to remain present. I guess that it is the same in the weight room. Focus, flow.

Thanks for the great post and keep workin’ those weights!

Welcome to the blog! I hope you will return and comment often. You have some wisdom to offer, brother.

And I’m going to fess up, here. If my readers will go back to my reply to Denise’s comment, they will find my admission to an incident in which I got injured because I was showing off–and then made it worse through my ignorance. That soccer friend who rushed over to treat me–and make dinner? That would be Marty. In those days, I sometimes referred to him as “coach.” (And, since Marty and I have not been in contact for a long while, he had no idea I was going to dredge up our shared past in my post.)

Marty, you are so right about the transferability of mastery from one discipline to another. What we learn in the gym, and our success there, can contribute to learnings and success in many other areas of life.

There is likely to be a Part II to Life Lessons from the Weight Room. Any suggestions? (That goes for my other readers, too.)

Melanie

I’ll also share an observation now seasoned with a quarter-century more life experience. The weight room (and/or running track, cycling path, lap pool, football pitch…your mileage may vary…literally!) also has the potential for teaching wonderful lessons in both letting go, and in reinventing oneself.

The “letting go” part may seem obvious; as the effects of time, gravity, and the sins of our youth combine, those of us who have been lifelong athletes are confronted with the need to change our training or risk losing that piece of our life entirely. This provides wonderful opportunities to embrace new challenges…to experience the joy of novelty and learning..and to revel in new achievements. The adoption of the “beginner’s mind” as Melanie described, is crucial to allowing that growth to take place.

The life lesson of the weight room as path to reinvention may not be as obvious, but even as one faces new challenges (in other arenas of life), the process of transformation from neophyte to a higher level of proficiency learned from sports/training provides an excellent foundation for success elsewhere. The specific discipline may be different, but the overall formula doesn’t vary all that much (with the added benefits of near-immediate positive feedback from the gym!).

A disclosure here: I enjoyed the privilege, many years ago, of accompanying Melanie as she ran, and bore witness to some of her early exploration into weight training. Reading this post was a sheer delight, enjoying both things remembered and celebrating her wit, wisdom, and warrior’s passion today.

You’re a peach to come take a look at my site!

For those of you who are not aware of who Penney Peirce is, let me give a very brief overview. Penney is a gifted, world-class intuitive and the author of a number of books. Her book, The Intuitive Way, is a book I have given to and recommended to countless people. If you want to understand and develop your own intuitive abilities, this book is a classic resource.

When Penney was working on her book, The Present Moment (now there’s a title to bring us back to the important), I had the pleasure of sending her a few stories about my own experience. Look on pages 305 (October 7), 313 (October 15), and 320 (Ocyober 22). That’s all I’m going to say about that. The book is a daybook worthy of returning to year after year.

I have personally sought Penney’s guidance and have found it illuminating. I recommend her heartily.

You can find out more about Penney and her work at http://www.intuitnow.com. There you can sign up for her newsletter, learn more about her books, find out when she will be in your area, and schedule some valuable time with her.

Melanie

How I reached my present point in life might require a book! But I will return to an earlier statement: I’m just a pilgrim going down the road. I will say that, for me, the magic that led to my becoming apprenticed to a shaman, the work that I did (on myself) in that apprenticeship, and my work as a shaman (after completing the apprenticeship) have been critical pieces in my personal development (such as it is).

Not everyone is called to be a shaman and I wouldn’t wish that life on anyone not meant to be one because it is not an easy road. It has been a part of my path. I believe that we each have a path that is beautiful and unique. It will find us if we just stand still long enough to let it do so.

Don’t be angry about my experience at the train station in Rome! It was a very helpful experience as it validated for me that I was, indeed, willing to be in beginner’s mind whilst in Italy. Very useful validation!

Keep showing up, Chiara!

Walk in Beauty
Melanie