Being active is so important no matter what your age or stage is. It’s about staying fit for your life but also about following your heart and staying receptive to ideas and opportunities. It’s not about thinking one day you’ll join the community choir or learn the ukulele or play netball in the local social team or plant your vegetable patch or learn tai chi; it’s about making time to do it now.
And being active is not just about fitness. It’s also about being stimulated and engaged. It’s about lifestyles that take us off the couch and into the bush or to the beach or the museum. And if you want to think about being active sustainably, think about cycling to the beach, or walking that extra couple of blocks instead of getting the bus, or growing your own vegetables.
I began learning the ukulele for fun a several years ago after hearing Izzy Kamakawiwo’ole sing the Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World combo. I enjoy it so much I’ve kept playing for my own pleasure and now write my own versions of songs around organic and sustainable issues.
Doing them live is a great challenge and now it’s the drums that I am loving. Music, for me, soothes the soul.
At Purebread we sponsor Anna Thorpe, a woman with gluten intolerance who plays hockey at the highest competition levels in New Zealand and internationally. When we first met Anna she had just tried out for the New Zealand team, the Black Sticks Women, and was chosen shortly after. Since then she has played in all the international competitions with the Black Sticks Women. And we have helped her out when she’s been overseas as often it’s hard to find the gluten free products she needs. We keep her stocked up with bread and other goodies while she is away.
Recently the Black Sticks Women won the Oceania Cup after winning the third and final test match. They beat Australia who always lead the competition internationally. So congratulations to them!
Of course keeping active isn’t that exciting for most of us, but start small, try something new or something you’ve always wanted to do. You won’t regret it.
