Why do I walk the mountain?

A couple of folks have asked me in the past and it was asked again today. Why do you walk the mountain? A little background is in order. Every day during my lunch hour, I hike up Kennesaw Mountain, located here in Kennesaw, Ga. 1.25 miles up and 1.25 miles down. And people have asked me from time to time, why I do it so much. I have compied a bit of a list to answer that question. Not just a simple, "Because."

So, why do I walk the mountain:

*First, and foremost, for God. He tells us to to take care of ourselves and treat our bodies as temples of God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." Now, my body is far from being a temple, but I am trying to honor God by taking care of myself.

*I walk for Megan. I am reminded every day of what God has blessed me with and know what Megan goes through, I do it for her. I physically walk the mountain, because she can't. I put myself in her shoes, and mentally try and walk the mountain she has to hike everyday.

*I walk the mountain because "I'm too tired.", "It's too cold/hot outside.", "I don't feel like it." are not good enough for me. Again, I see Megan and others like her that would give anything to be able to. I've had the privilege of walking in 102 degree heat and, as of today, 29 degree cold. I don't think it's fair for me to look at myself and say those things and be able to feel good about it.

*I walk the mountain because it's there. God put it there. I can walk. So, using logic, I am able to walk the mountain. The key is having the will to walk. You have to want to.

*Last, because it's great exercise. We live in an obese nation. That's the fact of it, and I'm trying my best not to follow in my family's footsteps of being overweight. Trying to eat better, but eating better is not the only thing to be done. I have to exercise. 2.5 miles a day, four days a week isn't a bad start.

I encourage those who made the resolution this year to lose weight, to stick with it and persevere. To Mike James, and his group, I encourage you all to stay with it throughy your goal.

Take care everyone and God Bless.

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JR