Id like to introduce you to a lady named Hulda Crooks. You may have never heard of her, but there is a park in Loma Linda, CA named after her. Why? She was an amazing woman who never gave up. She lived her life to the fullest, and outdoors was her venue for expressing and enjoying her life. Because I have recently been reflecting on how I can enhance my life
even more, though I have been truly blessed, I chose to study Hulda for her sheer determination and capacity to see the positive in herself.
Its one thing to talk about increasing your income and business success, then yet another in making the jump to health and fitness, you might say. Not really. If you dont have your health, and you cant very long, then what is it all worth to you, anyways? You can spend your life working, making millions (or maybe somewhat less) to create a comfortable lifestyle
then die, or you can choose to incorporate some of Huldas healthy wisdom and enjoy it much longer. You can also increase your energy to work and to endure the stress that goes along with many long hours of keeping your nose to the grindstone.
Wikepedia says that Hulda Crooks, born in 1896 was an American mountaineer. She was affectionately know as "Grandma Whitney, so named because between the ages of 66 and 91, she had climbed Mount Whitney 23 times. That mountain is over 14,000 ft. high. She also climbed 97 other peaks during this same period. At age 91, in 1987, she became the oldest woman to climb Mt. Fugi in Japan. She also hiked the 212 mile John Muir Trail in the high Sierras in segments over 5 years. How did she accomplish such feats?
She described her life at age 80, saying she went out jogging every morning at about 5:30. She would jog 12 minutes for one mile and then walk for 15 minutes back, do some trunk exercises, work in the yard, walk to the market, and then work. Republican Congressman, Jerry Lewis was one of her hiking companions, and he reported she showed the world that
mental, physical, and spiritual health are attainable at any age. I dont know about you, but this gives me a new perspective about that which I am capable.
Eventually Hulda changed from jogging to walking, she says simply, that she gained as much benefit and was less likely to trip and fall. She did eventually pass away at the age of 101 in 1997. If you are wondering if this type of vitality is normal or even possible for most people, you could turn to the Bible and read instructions there to come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered for harvest. That passage is found in Job 5:26 and it
may be actually expected of us.
You may think that Hulda has always been active and healthy. Actually she was raised on a farm, but at age 16 and 5 ft 2 in. tall she weighed in at 160 lbs. She did some dietary studies and became leaner over the years. She climbed her first mountain at age 66 and didnt start jogging until she was age 70, beginning in her own back yard. I could speak on and on
about how she accomplished her feats, but she did write a book, called Conquering Lifes Mountains. How about following her example and begin getting in shape today, at whatever age you are! Check with your doctor to find out what types of exercise would benefit you.
