-by Rev. Nick Phillips
You probably know this already, but push-ups are hard. Two issues ago, it was made known that I am doing the Push-Up Challenge. I am working to do 2000 push-ups this month, with a deadline of Friday the 27th. The challenge is put on by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), and they chose 2,000 push-ups to represent the 2,000 lives lost to suicide every single day around the world, an astonishing number.
I have seen the impacts suicide and mental health illness has had on families first hand, and it is not easy for anyone involved. Daily I post on my social media a graphic put out by the CMHA related to the number of push-ups which are the goal for that particular day. Often they are tied to strategies for taking better care of our own mental health, such as taking time for gratitude, being kind, or getting outdoors for fresh air.
While it is important to take care of ourselves, often we do not notice the slide we’re on until it’s too late. Which means we also need to take care of one another.
Sadly, last week I discovered my body has imposed a limit as to how many push-ups it is capable of over a short period of time. At 1,020 push-ups my left pectoral muscle gave up. I guess I should have expected something like this happening as one who is on the downhill side of being a middle-aged man. I continue to share posts to help raise awareness even while I am not able to do any more push-ups during the campaign. The injury also restricts my ability to do many of the suggested alternate exercises. I thank the rest of the Caper Gym and Fitness team for joining me, and for continuing along without me. Together we want people to be healthy, not just physically, but mentally as well. We want to be among those who take care of one another.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian church and said “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
We are not meant to travel this journey called life alone. After creating Adam, God noticed he needed a companion and gave him Eve as an equal partner in life. Jesus, in his life, traveled among towns and countrysides meeting with people who were excluded from their communities, showing them they are accepted and not alone. Paul is capturing this theme in his letter, as he encourages the church to care for each other as key to their expression of faith.
We are designed to live in community. We are wired to share our lives with others. Even for the introverts among us (myself included), we need the occasional interaction with others. In church we not only learn about God, we learn how to live with one another as Jesus showed us how to live. The early church grew through this willingness to learn and live together in community. A model that still works today.
As we watched the Olympics the last two weeks, we were witness to another type of community. We saw athletes support each other through great performances and even the less than great; we call this good sportsmanship. In “normal” life we might choose the word compassion. However you describe it, it simply boils down to taking care of one another. It’s the human thing to do. Can you say human-kind?
If you are struggling, I encourage you to reach out for help. Surround yourself with a support team, which may include doctors, psychologists or counsellors, and other supporters. If you are in a crisis, please call or text 9-8-8.
If you see someone struggling, reach out. Be a support. Be an encourager. Be a listener. Be a hugger. Be whatever they need you to be. If they appear to be in crisis, you can also call or text 9-8-8.
We are not alone. Or, we need not be alone. There are people out there who care for you.
And if you are able, be one who cares for someone else. Be a blessing. And be well.