Thanks to Megan from the MRT for writing a piece in the Lifestyle section of the paper about our yoga in the park program. I’ve recieved quite a few calls as to when I am going to do it in a park near their workplace or home….and what do I mean by being a wellness community….
Okay, what you need to understand about me is that I look at the big, big community picture. This community that I am refering is everyone from the youngest to the oldest of Midland residents. What I am pursuing is involvement at every level in some sort of active endeavor that addresses our quality of life. The fitness boot camp and yoga in the park are but a small piece of the puzzle. The age range of those participants is from about 28 to 62. Those folks are affecting their quality of life by becoming healthier, but they are also affecting their families and co-workers by setting a positive example.
Then we have a 81 year-old in our conversational spanish class. She has started to communicate more effictively with neighbors whom she could only interact by gesturing. She introduced herself in spanish the other day, and asked them for their name. This may seem trivial to some folks, but it has improved the quality of life of those neighbors and brought them closer.
This coming weekend we have the Skate Jam at Beal Park. This affects yet another facet of our community. Skateboarders were ( and some still do) deemed a nuisance. The sub-culture these kids represent is but another special interest activity that is not a bad one. They may dress differently, their vernacular may different, but they really are individuals who are passionate about their interest just as some of us are passionate about gardening, football, the arts, etc. The community needs to support them.
It is important to know who we are dealing with as well in our community. We have those who are new to Midland, having relocated from larger cities and have certain expectations. We have the ones who have been here all their lives and do not appreciate anything done differently than it was done 20 or 30 years ago, and will fight you fairly aggressively. Then you have the ones who feel invisible to the world because of therir cultural background or because “their vote doesnt count..” When we do the same thing over and over and expect a different result, the definition of that is ________. The funny thing is, they are all part of the same community. They all need to interact and dialogue.
I am not an economic forecaster. I am not an analyst of the world oil markets, reserves vs demands vs production. My business is providing the tools, educating, supporting, programming, training people to supply a product that will ultimately improve your quality of life. I create positive, supporting environments to facilitate programs that serve the community. I pursue it in an entrepreneurial fashion since every venue/institution/municipality operates differently.
As we attempt to bring everyone on-board we must continue to encourage involvement whenever and wherever possible. As a participant, as a facilitator, as a helping hand, get involved.
We have a city full of possibilities. But what does it take to bring those possibilities to fruition? What are we doing to help ourselves and our families? How about our neighbors? Our churches? How about our special interest social groups?
We should start by getting out. Enjoying what we have around us. We should start by understanding that regardless of our situation, our glass IS half full, ALWAYS! Reminds me of a little jingle that used to be on Armed Forces Radio and Television Services, Life, Be In It.
Life. Be in it!
Ben