Back when I was in college I hardly ever missed daily noon mass on campus. I would even schedule classes around so I could attend. There were days when I skipped class for mass because I often felt I would get more out of Fr. Pat’s homilies than my professors’ lectures. Often I left pondering about the takeaway message. Many times Fr. Pat’s words just made me feel hopeful and good inside. His stories always somehow struck a chord with me as a student and regularly helped guide my decisions.
Mass to me was also about being with familiar, friendly faces for 30 minutes each day. Rituals like voicing our needs and concerns in community, exchanging signs of peace with hugs, and breaking bread over communion brought much comfort to whatever it was I was going through during college. People stayed around after mass if they didn’t have class to chat and hang out. People were missed if they didn’t show up for a few days. Upon their return they would be asked “Where have you been?” The experience of daily mass and the community around it during those years enriched my life – it was like food for my soul.
These days, what I rarely ever miss is the WOD (Workout of the Day) at my CrossFit box (gym). Truth be told, I sometimes schedule my work hours so I can make time to go to the box. When I’m there I look forward to developing new skills, growing stronger, putting all my energy and effort into the WOD and being around a motivating community.
Early on, there was a simple sense of accomplishment the first time I was able to do an overhead squat using the 45 lb. barbell instead of the training bar. Often, just finishing a WOD was an accomplishment. Other skills, like the handstand push up, took me longer to be able to do consistently. But when I got there it was very gratifying. I’m no longer intimidated by a 135 lb. barbell that I have to clean and jerk. I have confidence jumping on a rope and choose to challenge myself by climbing it legless. With each success the desire to get better becomes stronger because the impossible seems a lot more possible. There’s also something to be said about mentally training myself each day to give it my all (100%) particularly when others have completed the WOD and I’m barely half way through. The habit of pushing myself to persevere through the pain and fatigue and not quitting until I finish can be applied to many aspects of my life.
The best part about CrossFit for me, however, is the community that I am a part of. Having coaches and peers helping me out by offering advice about techniques, encouraging me to pick up the bar when they see that I have little left in the tank, challenging me to keep up with them because they know my potential and receiving congratulatory fist bumps at the end of a WOD make my CrossFit community special. I am amazed and find inspiration when I witness others’ resilient efforts to not give up or when they achieve personal records. The energy is contagious. Daily I am reminded that through hard work and with a supportive community, I can go further. I’m usually physically taxed at the end of the workout, but the hour I spend each day at my CrossFit box cleanses my mind and energizes my spirit.
I believe our values reflect the company we keep and that habits form character.
While I’m still active in my Catholic community, it’s been refreshing to see how exercising can nourish my spirituality. There are actually a lot of similarities between my habit of going to mass when I was in college and my habit of doing CrossFit now. There has always been and will always be a deep longing in me to be part of communities that inspire, support and transform.
Quang Luu is Residence Hall Chaplain with DePaul University Ministry.
Image from http://games.crossfit.com/article/south-east-regional-report-work-done-now
