Working Out For Others

At the beginning of many yoga classes, the class will take a moment to dedicate the exercises they do help someone else. Much like prayer, the idea is that the energy we send out of our bodies goes into the world in some positive way as a gift.

In a more concrete way, we Westerners like to do races and walks for charity, where we know where our entry fee is going. A 5K here, a golf tournament there--we give and raise money for causes dear to our heart and get a good 45 minutes of cardio at the same time.

You can have it both ways in 2008: You can look at the community calendar, and plan to spend a Saturday morning or two walking with others instead of on a gym treadmill. You can focus your mind while you are on that treadmill on people who's lives you would hope to see improved. Instead of simply concentrating on making yourself into someone you will like more, use your time and resources to serve someone else once in awhile. The paradox--by giving your spirit, time and material wealth to others, you become someone you like to be with.