Quality Over Quantity

Last weekend I attended the funeral of a 76 year old woman.  She was the mom of my friend Ron,  the man who owns a gym I have worked out for almost 30 years.  Ron, an only child himself, is married to Wendie and together they have one son, Jon.  The 3 of them each eulogized Bebe with wonderful words, memories and sentiments.  What stood out to me the most was what Ron said about a mother and a son’s relationship.  That in his case, days could go by but when he and his mom spoke or saw one another the passed time never mattered, for it was quality over quantity that mattered.   As a mother of 2 sons, I related very strongly to those words.  I have always been a big believer in quality over quantity—more does not necessarily mean better!

Yesterday I had lunch with 2 old girlfriends.  In fact, these woman were my very first personal training clients.  Having always taught group instruction, one of them wore me down to do personal training with them.  We would go on to train together for many years, at the gym, at my house, at parks and on the streets where we took to running and doing some 5K races together, as well.  I really have them to thank for opening my life up to the business of personal training.  Nothing ever lasts forever… relocation, grand-babies, work schedules and life eventually found us all parting ways , but our mutual fondness always remained.  Once a year we get together, to celebrate birthdays and the winter holidays.  Yesterday was that day and we toasted to our special day, our friendship and quality over quantity.  Though 12 months may pass between our visits, we accept and appreciate that we can get together and spend a few wonderful hours catching up and being together.   

Just the other day 2 people told me they want to run a half marathon.  One of them a client, the other my son, Kyle.  I talked with both of them about rebuilding the strength in my injured leg and how I can’t even seem to run a full mile.  Kyle said “anyone can run a mile, mom, anyone”.  I desperately wanted to run my mile before the new year. Yesterday he and I went to the track for a run.  After about just a 1/4 of a mile, I thought I might stop and walk a bit, but instead I meditated on Kyle’s words…anyone can run a mile.  The quality of those 4 words were all I needed to run out my mile—in fact, I ran 2!

As today begins Chanukah, less than 2 weeks remain till Christmas and in less than 3 weeks we’ll be welcoming in a new year, what we are left with in 2009 is not a great quantity of time!  What can you do to get the most quality out of your time?  Was there something on your ’09 resolution list that hasn’t been achieved yet but still can be?  Is there a phone call you have been meaning to make?  A book you have been meaning to read?  A friend you have been wanting to see?  Is there a class you have been aching to try?  Has there been a mile you have been itching to run?

As we finish out one year and prepare for the new one, quality over quantity.  Wishing you quality peaceandfitness and a very happy Chanukah.