Inaction...

"Irons rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind." ~Leonardo da Vinci, Notebooks, 1508

He's speaking here, of course about using our minds.. We know, or should, that mind exercises are absolutely important for several reasons. Keeping our minds active help to keep us young. There are many ways to keep ones mind active, reading, learning, word games, anything that challenges thought.

But I'd like to go one step farther and say this quote may also apply to our whole selves. Keeping our bodies active will help to keep us in better health. If we are inactive to the point of sitting most of the time our bodies become stagnant from disuse. It's true. And it's simple to prevent. We must move around. Do something. Anything, but move move move. I don't want to be the little old lady who just sits in her rocking chair doing nothing.

Now the question becomes one of motivation... How do we motivate ourselves? Maybe just knowing the consequences of our inaction is motivation enough?

J.