Window of Opportunity

Our area of the world has endured enough rain that I may have earned partial credit in meteorology. My weather app is probably my #1 most used, which is a bit sad since I’ve yet to reach respect (almost but not quite). So with the Thursday Q at the nation’s premier afternoon (JV) workout, I studied, hoped and prayed for decent weather. The forecast was ominous with mid thirties temp and 100% chance of rain. My last Q at the Coconut Horse was in a steady rain. I venture out on a brittle limb that none of us really like posting in the rain but we do it because the principals say the workout is rain or shine and it’s likely someone will post as JJ did the Pub solo. Posting in foul weather can be a badge of courage where we thump our chest (see Tube’s mumble chatter post on Sunday). Luckily for me, the forecast shifted and there became a Window of Opportunity to get the workout completed just before the shower came through at 6:30 pm. The title came about at the COT when Broke asked for prayers for his mother as she learned earlier in the day her macular degeneration, already taking one of her eyes, was going after her remaining eye, the doctor estimating a year or so. Imagine that – one year to see all you can see before the world goes dark? It got me thinking that all of have Windows of Opportunity in our journey through life. Now if I were a Baptist Preacher or even a Parkwood member, I likely could have shared meaningful scripture (don’t point that finger at me Freight), but I had to save that google search post workout. Speaking of a workout – a short disclaimer about modify suggestions and don’t sacrifice form. Blart started the famous Mumble Chatter and away we went:

Warm-up:

• Toy Soldier IC x 10
• Imperial Walker IC x 10
• Hillbillys IC x 10
• Squats IC x 10
• Pledge

Mosey to the lower parking lot where normal park goers go to walk toward the dock or the sand volleyball pit. I should name this the SA because several Sister Act Q’s at Midoriyama included his favorite Triple Nickel taking the lengthy route down the winding sidewalk past the volleyball pit and back to the parking lot 5 trips. Five Hand Release Merkins at the top and then at the bottom 5 Shoulder Tap Burpees. The hell you say? Clavin has held class on proper form at his workouts. I support that effort as many burpees include flailing to the ground and peeling off – not great for your back. So, try them this way: go into plank; tap one shoulder w/ opposite hand, merkin, tap other shoulder, merkin, fold feet back under, raise and jump = 1 rep. It forces your body to remain straight and in proper form. This took more time than I estimated, but it was a burner of constant cardio so well worth it (assuming you’re here to workout and not complain). Def Leppard seemed to catch most of the attention from the group. We finished and did Moroccan Night Clubs IC x 10 to catch our breath. Now return mosey just passed the base to the lot between turd shack and softball field. Next up 4 x 10 x 4 – the hell you say? Yeah this is new, what is it? 4 exercises, 10 reps, 4 laps at each corner. I have not practiced this so mis-judged the challenge. The exercises were:

• Squat x 10
• Jack Merkin x 10
• Lunge (5/5 or 10 total)
• Freddie Mercury (right side) x 10

The first lap equaled 80 reps so looking at my watch, I realized no way we’d get 4 laps in so “Omaha, Omaha” to 2 laps. Again – like Broke’s Vern last week, this was constant cardio with some strength work between, especially the leg work – my quads felt great today. With about 5 minutes left, we circled for Mary which included flutter kicks, douche canoe hold, suitcases, and bulldog knee to elbow (the hell you say? – ask me and I’ll demo – if you need some high ab/oblique work – this will crush you) – TIME!

Announcements: Strides of March – get signed up. We’re working toward our 3rd team and it’d be great to have 4 total. If you’re running in P200 or Mortimer, this is great training. Prayers – Broke’s mom, Big Pappy, Sister Act and 2.0.

Moleskin: Malachi 3:10 “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.”

As I noted, Broke’s mother has a window of time left for her sight. We all have a Window of Time, our time on this earth. But if you think about it, everything kind of dwindles down to a window of time. The time to complete a task. The time to make a difference in someone. The time to make a legacy that your name is associated. We don’t know how long or short that window may be. In Malachi’s passage, he speaks of bringing a “full tithe” and in my take, that is not money but anything you have that gives glory. Your time, your talent, and your effort – most of all effort. If you’ve been smart enough to follow CSPAN’s advice and complete his annual 8-box exercise to put your life on paper as a reminder, the Coconut Horse Q-Source group covered that and the “one-word” challenge. My one-word for the year is NOW. Why? because time management and procrastination are a jester to me. I’m late because I put off things. So I now try to remember the word – NOW, when making decisions. So far it’s been positive, though I still curse myself for falling short (note I don’t just curse at wrong McDonalds orders). The next time you have an opportunity to do something, whatever it is, consider how long it will be open. Seize your opportunity to make an impact and as a believer of the word, as Malachi says, blessings will abound.