Glory comes in all shapes and sizes, just like the 16 PAX who showed up for a soggy Vortex this morning. After a quick lap, more than a few (150) cadence-count SSHs, and some warm-up exercises, we did air squats while hearing some pretty epic accounts of glory from our own ranks. There were stories of family members who survived the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust; of daughters caring for dying mothers; of children managing serious illness with extraordinary courage; of family members ending feuds with grace and empathy; of mothers and fathers doing the heroic, everyday work of birthing and raising children. In short, from the assembled PAX we heard about many, intimate variations of the bayonet charge–many routes to real and lasting glory.
The main event was a version of the Lazy Dora. PAX divided into pairs, with the goal of reaching 600 merkins per pair. The PAX on merkin duty could only work while his partner was in balls-to-the-wall position, switching as necessary. The two groups of three had to reach 900 merkins. One of the triads was the remarkable “Feisty Three,” whose average age was about 9 and a half. The fun continued until the first pair to complete the merkins bear crawled diagonally across the two fields (c. 130 yards) to retrieve a kettle bell. In an astonishing development, the Feisty Three finished first, but the lion-hearted little ones couldn”t get the KB back across the finish line (because it weighed more than any of them did!). The second trio, including special guests from the Thicket (Marky Mark and Boyardee), picked up where they left off and brought the KB home. A short but brutal round of Mary followed, with a flutter kick ring of fire (Thanks, Tuco).
Today we dramatized two mysteries about the human condition. First, release from suffering is not our only or highest aspiration. The Feisty Three spurned both the offer of a more age-appropriate exercise as well as the invitation to aim for fewer total merkins. Similarly, Pink and Big Cat refused to return to the circle for Mary until they had completed the bear crawl, taking more satisfaction in completing the course than relieving their aching arms. There is simply something beautiful about overcoming, and the higher the obstacle the greater the glory in surmounting it. Second, truth may not be relative, but the path to glory surely is. The rich and powerful are not the only ones who can make a mark and whose effort matters! Indeed, there is just as much dignity and glory in remaining at one”s post and pouring oneself out for an elusive but worthwhile goal as there is in grabbing the golden ring. Those PAX still sweating it out when the KB returned had gone to muscle failure and back many times…
We prayed in COT for the grace to see life”s challenges as opportunities for glory.
MOLESKIN:
One young man made himself so at home during the workout that YHC shamefully didn”t realize he was new. Welcome, Crackle!
Don”t forget 2nd F this Thursday at the new Bottle Revolution (at East 54) from 6:30 until they kick us out.