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RUN LIKE RALPH St. Louis has been hot and humid for the past two weeks, and today promises to be the hottest day of the year with a projected heat index of 110 degrees Fahrenheit. It was a good day to get out early for my morning walk. About 20 minutes into the walk, I saw Ralph. Ralph is a remarkable 85 year-old man. Reaching 85 is a feat in itself, but it is how Ralph has reached and lives his ninth decade that makes him remarkable. Ralph is a child of the Great Depression and WWII veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. He has raised his family and survived the death of his wife. Ralph runs five miles three days every week, rain or shine, hot or cold. I see him out there in the summer and the winter, even when he has to navigate his pencil-thin body around the snow. When I introduced myself to him one day, I told him he was a real inspiration. He responded with the predictable humility his generation reserves for such compliments. His mind is clear, memory strong and wit sharp. We have a sort of unspoken agreement not to stop for too long because both of us can be gas bags and talk forever. So, we slow down, say a few words and continue with our routines. One day we did stop and talk for a while. What a joy! I asked what he thought of the state-of-things these days, and he responded with the confidence and resolve of the survivor-generation of which he is a part: "We've seen tough times before. We'll be okay. It'll all work out. It always does." We talked a bit longer and parted our ways, me walking, Ralph running and reading. You see, Ralph carries with him song lyrics on index cards to memorize as he runs. He volunteers to play music at nursing homes. Ralph told me he does this to keep his mind active and to always have a song in his heart. A survivor of the Great Depression, war veteran and widower still smiles, sings, exercises his fit body and studies to keep his mind going. His life is a lesson for anyone going through tough times. What do you do to get rid of your stress? How are you giving back to others? What are you studying to grow? It's unlikely you will feel the ill effects of stress when you burn the energy exercising. It's difficult to feel sorry for yourself when you're doing for others. And it's impossible to be negative when you are filling your mind with new ideas. When I see Ralph later this week I may tell him I wrote about him, but he would probably not see the big deal in doing what has become his life for the past 85 years. He might smile and grind out a few more miles while learning a few more lyrics. Some Good News To Share: Spread it around. 1. Bloomberg: "The index of U.S. leading economic indicators rose in May for a second straight month, reinforcing signs that the worst recession in five decades may end this year…" 2. Housing starts showing new life: up 17.2% from April to May. 3. U.S. consumer confidence reaches a nine-month high. This is significant because confidence precedes spending and consumer spending is 70% of the U.S. economy. |
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