Muscle Memory & Gratefulness - Part 4

If you're still with me, maybe you're in agreement that sometimes it's necessary to work on things in order to get better at things.

We've been talking about muscle/motor memory and gratitude.  They don't seem to fit together but the point would be; if we want to get better at recognizing gifts and responding immediately and graciously, we will need to work on it.

How?

Muscle Memory & Gratefulness - Part 3

Thinking that the case for being a grateful person was pretty much a slam-dunk (Part 1 and Part 2), I thought I'd take a second to investigate opposing thoughts.  I actually didn't think there would be any.

Surprise!  There are opposing views for everything and I should know this by now.

Interestingly enough, some naysayers make a good point or two.

Let me paraphrase a few of the objections promoted by those who feel gratitude isn't necessarily a good thing.

Muscle Memory & Gratefulness - Part 2

In the last post, short descriptions and examples were reported for the words muscle memory and motor memory. Gratefulness was only briefly mentioned and just a small amount of time was spent connecting the two thoughts.

An initial response might be to ask why this connection is important.

First, the ability to do hundreds of things without conscious thought makes living manageable.

Second, it would be my guess that most of us believe that we are grateful people.  We would also agree that sometimes, we forget.  Since we occasionally need reminders, let's consider how it may be possible for gratitude to be our default position.  What if our very first thought was, "Thank you"?

Growing up I remember hearing, "Did you write Grandma a thank you note for your birthday present?"  "Did you send thank you cards to the people that sent a gift for your graduation?"

About that wedding day, how long did it take to get those cards out?

There are hundreds of like examples.  Every day I'm sure that I miss being grateful somewhere. Let's start with the fact that I was wonderfully created by a loving God!  How often do I miss THAT one?

Muscle Memory & Gratefulness - Part 1

It's been nearly 8 months since I sold my condo and began a nomadic lifestyle.  I've been with family (thank you!), with friends (again - thanks!) and in hotels.  Shortly, I think I'll plant myself in a more permanent location.  Thank you!

You might think from the first paragraph that gratefulness during times like this is important.  Of course it is.  But what has that to do with muscle memory?

Muscle memory (or perhaps a better term, motor memory) has been on my mind lately.

Take a moment to consider the number of unconscious decisions and motions that we make just walking up stairs. (As I write this, I realize that typing is another example.)

Bend your knee and lift your left leg up towards your chest about 8 inches in order to clear the riser. While leaning toward the stairway slightly, move your leg forward 6 inches bringing it to the center of the stair. Place your left foot on the riser.  Put your weight on the left foot while you lift your right leg at the knee moving it up towards your chest about 8 inches.  Again, move it forward and then down letting it rest next to your left leg.  With additional forward lean, use the muscle in your thigh to pull your body up the stair.  When this is complete, center your weight on both feet. Do this 22 times.


How much thought do you give to getting out of bed in the morning?

Consider it Pure Joy: Not.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.   James 1:2-5

When I added the above scripture quote to the last article, I felt pretty good about it. But, not many hours later, that was no longer true.  There was no evidence pointing to 'pure joy'.

And here's one from Paul:

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:10

You guessed it.  Not feeling so strong either at this moment in time.  What the...?