Words for Walking

The first is Accountable. I need to hold myself more accountable for what I do and say. To whom am I accountable? I am accountable to myself. I need to set standards for my life and hold myself liable for meeting them. I am accountable to my wife because I made a vow over 40 year ago to honor her. Most of all, I am accountable to God who has created me, sustained me and saved me for eternal life.

I need to be more accountable.

Words for walking – Benevolent - April 25

The second word is Benevolent. I need to do more for others. There are people in this world that are in need. Poverty and the resulting hunger and lack of shelter exists both here in this country and abroad. While I am by no means a rich man, God has blessed me greatly. Even as I seek to be a better steward of what I have, I need to share more with others.

I need to be more benevolent.

I have chosen 26 words to consider as I walk 26 laps during my workout.

The third word is Compassionate. I need to better understand and care about what people are going through. They don’t need my pity and they don’t need me to share in their suffering. They just need me to be aware of it and to let them know that I care.

I need to be more compassionate.

The fourth word is Diligent. When I start something such as a “blog” or a “workout program,” I need to stick to it. Often I begin something with all of the best intentions but somewhere along the way, I lose interest or get tired. I need to apply myself and do what it takes to finish the project or to take to the next level.

I need to be more diligent.

Words for walking – Efficient - May 1

The next word is Efficient. I need to be able to accomplish the things I do with fewer hassles and setbacks. Applying the old carpenter’s saying, “measure twice, cut once” to my life, working smarter and being more efficient, I can be more useful and less wasteful of what the Lord has provided.

I need to be more efficient.

Words for walking – Faithful - May 2

Today’s word is Faithful. Being faithful is more than an attitude or attribute; it is a state of being. Faithfulness is not about my commitments to man, but it is all about my relationship with the Lord and how I respond that which he has commanded me to do. Faithfulness is doing as Solomon wrote in the 12th chapter of Ecclesiastes, “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

I need to be more faithful.

Words for walking – Grateful - May 5

The seventh word is Grateful. When people extend kindness or provide a service for me, I need to express my gratitude to them. People don’t have to be kind to me. Therefore, when they are, I need to say “thank you.” I need to demonstrate my gratitude to service providers with a suitable tip.

I need to be more grateful and show it.

The eighth word is Healthy! That’s what this is all about, being healthier. The walking and working with weight and strength machines help become healthier physically. Considering these words and writing about them helps me become spiritually and mentally healthier.

I need to be Healthy!

Words for walking – Intelligent - May 10

The ninth word is Intelligent. When situations arise in my life, I need to deal with them in a more intelligent way. I need to use good judgment and make better decisions, thinking things through and relying on what I know rather than what I think.

I need to act more intelligently.

I need to be more joyful.

Today’s word is Kind. Kindness is mostly about the tongue and what it does to people and its owner. I read a quote from Mother Theresa – she said, “kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” The writer of Proverbs 12:25 writes, “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” I need to speak kind words to those I interact with, thinking before I speak, keeping my tongue in check. Even more so, I need to think kind thoughts because the tongue only goes where the mind has already traveled.

I need to be kinder.

The next word is Loving. If I really love someone – my wife, my family, my friends or my God, then I need to demonstrate that love with words and with action. I need to practice “agape” love. That love that is both “unconditional and voluntary,” it is like the love that God holds for us.

I need to be more loving.

The thirteenth word is Motivated. Halfway through my list of words is a good time to focus on staying motivated. Throughout my life, one of my challenges has been finishing what I started. I need to look at why I do what I do. If it was worth starting, it’s worth finishing.

I need to be more motivated.

Today’s word is Nice. To me being nice is about being courteous. It’s speaking to others in a polite and civil manner, saying please and thank you. Sometimes in the rush of everyday life, I speak in a abrupt or rough tone. I forget my manners as they used to say.

I need to be nicer.

Words for walking – Optimistic - May 20

My fifteenth word is Optimistic. I’m a bit of a worrier. I tend to think of all the things that might go wrong. Even when there are no problems, I dream some up. I need to think in a positive way and remember to trust God. Living in His grace should be a perfect remedy for any doubts I have.

I need to be more Optimistic.

Words for walking – Peaceful - May 21

Today’s word is Peaceful. Living a truly peaceful life is not about living without conflict with others, but it is about the contentment that Jesus provides through His grace and mercy. I need to focus on Him daily and my life will be truly peaceful.

I need to be more peaceful.

Words for walking – Qualified - May 22

The seventeenth word is Qualified. In order to grow, I need to have the proper knowledge and training to do what I attempt to do. For instance, I teach a Bible study class at my church and I feel qualified because I have prepared myself by attending many classes and workshops on Christian Education. However, I need to continue to strive to be spiritually qualified by “studying to show” myself “approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

I need to be qualified.

Words for walking – Respectful - May 23

The next word is Respectful. Often, other people and I have different opinions about things. In order to live a more harmonious and healthy life, I need to learn to respect those differences and recognize their right to their opinions. By doing so, I can earn their respect and by considering their view, I can be more truthful both to them and to myself. This will help me grow.

I need to be more respectful of others

The nineteenth word is Sincere. I need to be truthful about my feelings, thoughts and opinions. Of course, this can be a challenge sometimes because as it is often said, “the truth hurts.” I need to mix my sincerity with kindness.

Nevertheless, I need to be more sincere.

Words for walking – Thankful - May 25

Today’s word is Thankful. Like being faithful, being thankful is about my relationship with the Lord rather than men. I am grateful to other people, but I am thankful to the Lord. Each day, I need to offer thanks to Him for all that I have and I all that I am. I need to thank Him for the blessings that I enjoy and for trials that make me stronger.

I need to be much more thankful.

Words for walking – Universal - May 26

The next word is Universal. I need to consider the totality of things and consider the impact of my life on God’s universe. As I have begun to think healthy, I started to think a little “greener” as well. God has made us stewards of his world and it is our duty as good Christians to treat it gently for those who come after us.

I need to be universal in my actions.

Words for walking – Visionary - May 27

Today’s word is Visionary. I need to develop foresight. Where do I want to be a year from now? In five years? In order to grow to be what I want to be, I need a plan. In order to have a plan, I need a vision.

I need to be more of a visionary.

Words for walking – Wiser - May 28

The twenty-third word is Wiser. I need to make use of my experiences and the knowledge I have gained over these several years. I need to learn to make better decisions about what is right or wrong. I seek spiritual wisdom, not worldly. Man’s wisdom won’t last, God’s wisdom is eternal.

I need to be wiser.

Words for walking – eXicted - May 29

Today’s word is eXicted. As you can see, I cheated just a little on this word. I need to be more excited about what my life. About what I am doing right now and more exited about all the things that the Lord has planned for me. I should wake up excited because today wasn’t promised to me, but here it is – full of opportunity.

I need to be more excited.

Words for walking – Youthful - May 30

The next to last word is Youthful. Young people have a different view of the world. Generally, they believe in the goodness of people and look towards the future with a certain amount of innocence and wonderment. As I grow older, I need to think younger. I need to explore new technologies and ideas. Maybe, I should get an iPod or something.

While keeping my adult dignity, I need to be more youthful.

Words for walking – Zealous - May 31

The twenty-sixth word (but not necessary the last) is Zealous. I need to have a passion for what I do. Give 110 percent and be fired up! The Apostle Paul was zealous about what he did, both against Christ and for Him. I need to be like Paul.

I need to be zealous.

Turning Sixty-five

Today is the day. I'm not trying to make it a big thing - but I am so thankful to God. I posted my last word for walking yesterday.

On August 6, 2003, I had a heart attack and received my first stent. Two more stents and nearly five years later, I'm living in a new state and enjoying my new life completely.

More to follow.