Curious about Activity: How Much Do You Handle in a Day? Too Little or Too Much?

Definition of Activity: The state or quality of being active; nimbleness; agility; vigorous action or operation; energy; active force; as, an increasing variety of human activities.

“All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.” - Calvin Coolidge, American President

“Fresh activity is the only means of overcoming adversity.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German poet

I chose “activity” for this blog’s theme, because I not only encourage those in my fitness classes to embrace activity, I am also passionate about it. The senior group fitness classes I teach – 12 a week – stress the importance of preparing for ADL. What is ADL, you ask. It stands for Activities of Daily Living.

And, it doesn’t just apply to seniors. We all desperately need action and activity.

In the words of American athlete, Bill Toomey, “Realize that from the start, every activity that comprises the journey has value and the ability to teach you something.”

So often, it is easy to turn on the TV for relaxation. To avoid taking action on a new program or going to the gym. I know that many people are frowning today on the word “busy.” However, being active and busy solves many of our problems. In the words of American writer, Paul Goodman, “Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.”

I found a plethora of great and insightful quotations:

• “Study with desire is real activity; without desire it is but the semblance and mockery of activity.” - William Godwin, English writer
• “The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.” - John W. Gardner, American educator
• “It takes great wit and interest and energy to be happy. The pursuit of happiness is a great activity. One must be open and alive. It is the greatest feat man has to accomplish.” - Robert Herrick, American poet
• “It's the journey toward doing these harder climbs that really gives value to the whole activity of climbing.” - Alex Lowe, American athlete
• “It makes no sense to worry about things you have no control over because there's nothing you can do about them, and why worry about things you do control? The activity of worrying keeps you immobilized.” - Wayne Dyer, American psychologist
• “I never could have achieved the success that I have without setting physical activity and health goals.” - Bonnie Blair, American athlete

And a couple more to chew upon and consider:

“My experience as a school nurse taught me that we need to make a concerted effort, all of us, to increase physical fitness activity among our children and to encourage all Americans to adopt a healthier diet that includes fruits and vegetables, but there is more.” - Lois Capps, American politician

“I like to use my hands and make things... It might seem pretty stupid or pointless but that doesn't matter... some of the most interesting work is the stuff that starts like that - out of a raw need for activity.” - Bruce Nauman, American sculptor

So, what activities do you pursue in your life, work, and community? It is never too late to start. Let me hear what you are experiencing.