I recently completed my first half marathon.
It was a fantastic experience running through downtown Houston and the neighborhoods close by with 50,000 other people.
Toward the middle point of the race, I ran by a blind person with two guides making their way through the course.
Out there in the chill of the morning, her confidence in the two ropes she gripped connected her to what were likely volunteers. What an experience.
I don’t think about how easy it is for me to get out of my house and run down the street and back. I love hitting a trail to see nature after staring at a screen all day at work.
During the half marathon, she heard cheers from spectators for 13.1 miles, encouraging her to continue. She heard the banter between racers. Music, cowbells, and applause. Step by step, she continued.
I’m grateful that all my body parts are fully functioning.
I’m encouraged by the drive of those who don’t.
I wonder how and why she decided to run that day.
Power Acronym 40: O.T.M.
Be open to an Opportunity To Move today.
Movement does not have to mean exercise.
I heard this distinction first from Katy Bowman, a luminary in the Heroic community. As a biomechanist, she is an expert on movement and how it relates to mental and physical health.
It’s easy to get so ingrained in a routine that we neglect to honor the only body we will ever have.
But an O.T.M. can be as simple as…
parking further away from the grocery store than you usually do.
walking/playing with your dog.
inviting your friend or family member to the park.
dancing
counting your steps
You can learn more about the scientific connection from her, but I think we all intuitively know that moving our bodies can improve our health outcomes - if we commit.
If you’re a 0 or 100 person who’s either on the couch or lifting every day but can’t sustain it, try implementing O.T.M. consistently.
Running and weight training are my two go-to’s, but if I’m strapped for time or frankly not disciplined, I know I can always stretch or walk or do some push-ups just to get the blood flowing.
Entendre: Opportunity To Meditate
Just realized the second meaning we can attribute to O.T.M. - Opportunity to Meditate.
I'm updating this on Jan. 9th 2025. I'm incorporating a daily meditation of at least 10 minutes a day. I'm using guided meditations via Heroic which you can check out the app here.
I've learned a lot about meditation through Heroic and think it's a great way to introduce the practice.
What are some other Opportunities To Move you can think of?
Power Acronym Daily
366 Acronyms to encourage, enrich, and empower.