A few of us were having a discussion a while ago about the difference between “motivate” and “energize”. We found motivation can be viewed from either a positive or negative aspect but energize is usually something that gets you fired up and optimistic.
For me, there are a myriad of motivational things to move me forward in a day but there are some key things that make me feel good, or energize me, in this business — one is a part of the Moving Along Together program for the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors people that our fit programmer Tia Wayling teaches. The other day, I wandered into the Kootenay Room in the community complex where she had set up to wait for her group to do that slow but steady walk over from their home base at Rotacrest Hall. She had “Rockin’ Robin” blasting away on the stereo and you know, it’s like banjo music — it’s really hard to be miserable or sad when that song is playing. I snuck back to watch a couple times during the hour because, frankly, it was way more fun to observe that room full of seniors than revise job descriptions, review survey methodology and document successes and failures from our recent aquatic shutdown. That’s fun too (cough, cough) but seeing that group that probably had an average age of 80 years batting balloons around, tossing beanbags and walking a straight line taped to the floor, and noting every single one in that room had a big grin on — well, that’s pretty energizing!
We are all going to be there, sooner or later, and whether you think a beanbag toss or ball throwing is goofy because you were a rough outdoorsy guy or an office professional, boy, do I have news for you. When these opportunities are created for some of our less mobile citizens to increase physical and mental stimulation, which includes something as simple as the walk over from Rotacrest, and actually have fun at the same time, for me at least, that is a core value for the service we provide.
Hey, did you notice the bears roaming around the community complex recently? They are probably still there if you look to the left as you walk in the front doors. (Totally had you going…) The Bear Circle is an assembly of carved granite, a mother bear and her two cubs on a circular pedestal which has returned to the same spot where it was on display back in February 2011 to celebrate the BC Spirit Festival. Generously on loan once again from local artist Stewart Steinhauer, the sculpture was started in 2008 as one of the first pieces created at his Creston Valley studio and is a must see (and feel). Maybe you can check them out when you come to the Halloween pre-party Slime Swim Oct. 24 from 4-6 p.m. (no, once again, we do not put slime in the pool — we get yelled at for that) or Halloween Hysteria for kids 11 and under on Halloween night from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Creston Room. See you there!
Neil Ostafichuk is the recreation supervisor at the Creston and District Community Complex.