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Isn’t it funny how certain vivid flashbulb moments from the past have a way of staying with us forever…”Hoekom moet mamma “oefendinge” vir die tannies gee?, Eswee wanted to know 20 years ago…(difficult to explain to a 3-year old boy and his sister that oefendinge is actually oefeninge, so oefendinge was what my “day job”/hobby/passion was called in our home for many years).  The only satisfactory answer I had at that stage was this one: “Mamma gee elke dag vir die tannies oefendinge sodat ons geldjies kan hê vir lekker verrassinkies vir jou en Neis…”  Case closed…?  Hah, wait…

One day, a few months later, when Eswee was accompanying Schalk to town, he saw this miniature John Deere tractor in OTK and obviously asked his dad if he could have it…”Nee, Pappa gaan dit nie vandag vir jou koop nie, seun”, on which Eswee replied:  “O, moet Pappa eers vir die tannies bietjie oefendinge gee…?” ☺☺☺

Today it amazes me to see how much appreciation and admiration my family have for what I do, and how my kids have come to realize over the years that it’s about much more than having money to buy surprises – it’s about changing lives, living my passion and setting a great example.  But it IS empowering to know that what I do help generate an income to contribute to our household.  I don’t think I will ever be able to thank Schalk enough for building me my very own beautiful fitness studio and for giving me the freedom and responsibility to run it the way I think best…

It was Clare Boothe Luce, the famous American author and US ambassador who once said: “A woman’s best protection is a little money of her own”.  Yes, even a little, for a little shopping, now and then…☺  See, the term Functional Fitness means something different to everybody – some see it as becoming strong to face those unforeseen challenges in life like changing a flat tyre or running after a pickpocket who grabs your purse.  To me, Functional Fitness means being fighting fit for a whole Saturday walking 20 000 delightful steps in Menlyn, browsing, trying things, lugging around bags, exploring, meandering…if you’re a woman I’m sure you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about…

In “Confessions of a Shopaholic” Rebecca Bloomwood says: “You know that thing when you see something cute and he smiles and your heart kind of goes like warm butter sliding down hot toast?  Well that’s what it’s like when I see a store.  Only it’s better.  When I shop the world gets better, the world is better.  And then it’s not anymore.  And I just have to do it again…”  Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not as if I’m on a shopping spree every weekend, but once in a blue moon – then I also like my money where I can see it – hanging in my closet…☺ There’s just something about getting something new that makes a woman feel good and confident.

Maybe today is a great opportunity to explain to the men in our lives why, for a woman, the odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one…Of course, for the record, there ARE men who love shopping, but most men I know tend to think that our indulgence in malls has to do with an emotional weakness, our inability to resist pretty things.  But science is on our side and gives a very valid, basic explanation for the shopping itch…

According to a study released in 2009 by Danie Kruger, an evolutionary psychologist at the University of Michigan, it’s only natural that women like to shop.  This instinct kicked in during medieval times when the male was primarily “the hunter”, and the female the “gatherer”.  Millennia later women still look, rummage, and forage for the best option, buy a couple of other things in the process, and come out at least ten times happier with themselves.  We are still simply checking the metaphorical fruits for signs of ripeness…☺☺☺

Shopping, whether it’s online or in a mall, means different things to every woman – for some it’s a necessity, to others a sanctum, a way of life or an adventure.  We feel we can make choices for ourselves when we’re shopping; finding a “bargain” is a triumph; picking just the right colour is magic.  Shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist, healthier than binge eating.  For some, shopping is an art, for others it’s a sport.  Shopping is cardio, man.  And I strongly believe there’s no harm in a little shopping, now and then…Just saying…

As long as we remember what shopping CAN’T buy, we’re in the safe zone.  It’s simply a method of exchange, no more no less.  As Avijeet Das recently wrote in “the Untold Diaries”: “If money could buy us happiness then some of the richest people on earth would be more than a million times happier!”

Sometimes people accumulate more, only to feel emptier.  Isn’t it ironic that the extremely wealthy have spent countless amounts of money in the vain attempt to extend their lives only to find out that they die around the same age as everyone else?  Blake Griffin, the American professional basketball player once said: “Some people are so poor, all they have is their money”.

We can’t shop for time, or love – it’s not for sale.  You can’t shop for peace of mind, or lean muscle mass.  Not even the Queen of England or the founder of Microsoft can put in an order for that.  We can’t buy true friendship, a sense of humour, good manners or class. Shopping can’t buy us precious moments – like the look of accomplishment on our child’s faces when they finally master to ride a bicycle. A baby’s first steps and first words. A long, tight hug when you really need it. Tears of joy during a reunion.  A shopping spree can’t buy the warmth of the sun or of an embrace.  

I stumbled upon this this poem by an unknown author, and think it says it best:

Shopping can buy a house
But not a home
It can buy a clock
But not time
It can buy you a position
But not respect
It can buy you a bed
But not sleep
It can buy you a book
But not knowledge
It can buy you medicine
But not health
It can buy you blood
But not life

And in the end, I suppose it all comes down to this – how we do money is how we do life…

Yours in fitness

Mirna

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