The Toughest Exercise Routine

I spent the day in one of those all-day, hard-working meetings. It went pretty well, considering that the last few gatherings of the group have almost resulted in bloodshed (figuratively speaking). Still, after it was all over, I was shatteringly tired.

"The meeting went well," a co-worker said, "Why are you so tired?"

"Well," sez I, "It takes all my energy and muscle-groups to keep my mouth shut."

Yup. I bet I burned off hundreds of calories just making sure my jaw wasn't flapping or my throat making speech-like sounds at inappropriate (or even appropriate) times. I mean, it was solid 8-hour rigorous exercise session. Surely it was the equivalent of several hours on a StairMaster.

My point is that some of the most tiring, draining things in life don't count as physical exercise. You know. The really hard stuff.

. . . Like keeping all those marbles (aka, "must-do's") from sliding off the table of life. (Builds strength in the arms, right?)

. . . Like withstanding a session of tongue-lashing or insult-hurling. (All that bobbing, weaving, ducking - just like 10 rounds in the ring with a prize-fighter.)

. . . Like sitting through a blindingly boring speech. (Do repeated hammer-blows to the head burn calories or just turn your brain to mush?)

. . . And, yes, like keeping my mouth shut.

I'm feelin' the burn just thinking about those things.

Now, excuse me while I take an early bath, then hit the bed with a great book (The Glass Castle, thank you very much Cuz). I've run the marathon today.