We live in a world where we work so hard for the good things in life, beautiful house, latest cars, mind blowing tech gadgets, name it.
About 6 months ago, I visited a friend, society would classify as “having made it in life”. I entered her gate and for a minute I thought I was in some five star hotel. I was given a grand welcome and in the house , the husband was glued to a mega 3D screen, best I have ever seen, only that there was not enough space for a second person to sit on his couch , the weighting scale must have a good story about him.
The two daughters, one was busy on the laptop, didn’t notice the guest in the house and the other on her phone clearly very relaxed in those beautiful chairs. I was there for three hours and none of these people left the spots at I found them in.
I went outside with my friend and everything was going so well, we ate, we enjoyed soda and the music couldn’t have been any better. I don’t know what exactly came over me but I felt so playful that I challenged her and her youngest son to a race. It was on… this boy was about to discover the athlete in me. Shortly after starting the race, I stumbled and fell three meters into the race and of course I laughed it off. As for my friend she didn’t even run for 1 minute before she lost her breath. Did I mention that my friend , her husband and myself hold corporate jobs…wake up early very day, get in the car, sit in air conditioned office, drive back home , catch T.V time with family , eat every meal and sleep and the routine goes on and on every day.
The following Monday, during my lunch break, that race played back in my mind. My mind was so willing to run but my body failed me. This brought me to the realization that I have to stop getting too comfortable in the beautiful chairs and car that I worked so hard for.
Health is a very important aspect of our life. This why this year among all the great work Rotary does, Fitness and Nutrition is equally at center stage .There is nothing more crucial than health for any human being. When we are healthy and fit, we will be able to enjoy our life better. We can laugh, smile, enjoy food, talk, sleep well and most importantly be able to serve humanity.
When our fitness and health are at their lowest, we are unable to like or enjoy anything including the money that we are working so hard for. Our Elders usually say that health is wealth. (Obulamu bwe bugagga)
Let us eat healthy and at the right time. Let us try to get fit physically and mentally so that we can be in the best shape to contribute to society and our work places. A famous Indian Philosopher once said “Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.” So let us be the Authors of a long and beautiful story about our lives.
Let us keep our minds fit by reading more, being open to picking up new skills and maintain good relations with our relatives, friends and colleagues.
Let us improve our physical fitness by exercising as often as possible, walking when we have the option of a boda-boda or car. .
To you my friends and Colleagues, “let us not enjoy those beautiful chairs in the house, let’s stay healthy and fit and enjoy the most that life has to offer.”
Let’s learn to switch off our gadgets, get out in the open, play , breath fresh , laugh , live.
