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I recently joined a Gym.

 Exercise, in my experience, is one of the most boring things known to man, and quite frankly I would prefer any spare time in my life to be a spent on things I find more enjoyable – like going to the dentist. 

 And yet, here I am – giving hours of my week to treadmills, cross-trainers, swimming pools, weights, and yoga mats.

Ìý°Â³ó²â?!

 Believe me, I ask myself this question every morning when I get out of bed and my legs and arms scream at me in pain. My reason however is clear – my grandchildren.

 Now, I do not actually have any grandchildren. Yet these potential unborn humans, are my motivation to curb my four-decade mistrust of exercise.

 I want to be able to run around after them, to take them camping, to take long walks across wild hills with them, and to be fit and strong enough for that to not completely collapse me.

I survived my children because I had youth on my side – having all of them by thirty. It will not be the same with grandkids.

 So here I am, putting my present self through something I don’t relish, for an unknown future, that may not even come to pass. In some ways it’s completely illogical, and yet, it works for me as a motivation.

There is also positive news for my here and now. I feel better, both physically and mentally.

All of this, brings me to another part of myself - my spiritual well-being. 

 I do a lot of things which are difficult – fasting Ramadan and praying for example, but also being kind to people who may hurt me, or looking out for opportunities to do good. Such things can eat into your time, your wealth, your enjoyment. Yet, there’s a potential, as yet unknown future beyond this world, and such actions train me for that. And in turn, my here and now benefits. I’m happier for this way of life.

Some may find it strange that I am striving for an unknown future, and yet, to do nothing seems like an act of wilful neglect of my body, my mind, and my spirit. And I owe it to the whole of me, to attempt to be a better version of myself in every way that I can.