The first time I recall hearing this phrase was when I worked at Providence College and Seminary. One of my colleagues used the phrase regularly mainly to reference completing tasks that were not complicated or difficult and would get a decent return. I’ve heard it since then, but not very often. It has stuck in the back of my mind and I think of it and sometimes use the phrase.
The phrase jumped to mind recently as I was walking around MSP, the Minneapolis-St Paul airport. I usually have long layovers when I fly through here so I get the chance to walk around. This is a great walking airport. The concourses are laid out in a square, so you can do a nice circuit. I did about 1.5 miles in 30 min.
As I walked around, I encountered many other people. Some were walking very briskly or running and you know they were pressed for time. Others walked at a normal pace, presumably to get to their gate. As I observed those around me, I saw many who were, like me, slightly or more overweight. Unfortunately, when it came to choosing whether to walk in the regular path, or take the horizontal escalator, I was among the very few who chose walking the old-fashioned way. At one spot you have to go down a level. Most gravitated to the escalator. Only few of us took the stairs.
This is low hanging fruit. If you’re not in a hurry, and even if you are, it doesn’t take any more time to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Those who stood on the people mover didn’t make it to the end much more quickly than I did. Taking the slightly harder path can help those of us who have a little, or a lot to lose around the midsection.
I’ve been there. I know it’s not hard, it just takes a conscious decision. Let’s agree to move more and not take those conveniences, but use our own pedal power instead.
PS Kudos to the guy to carried his roller bag and ran up the stairs!
PPS Thanks to this blog, I didn’t cave tonight, about 3 weeks after I originally wrote this article. I’m on the fourth floor of my hotel this week. It’s been a long day of travel and I wanted to wimp out. Writing on this blog helped keep me accountable and I took the stairs, suitcase in hand. After all, I just couldn’t wimp out and take the elevator after a rant like this!
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