In beginning, humans were free to roam and live as they wished. Of course, there were risks and they had to be very self sufficient. They hunted for their food and for hides and pelts to keep them warm and protected from elements. They were free, but sometimes as hunter they became hunted. Quite often they became victims of very beasts they hunted. Another danger was other humans that would attack them and take away bounty they had hunted so hard for. But they were free.

As time passed some of stronger and more aggressive drew to them others and formed a tribe or small army. They then became protectors of weaker and less aggressive. But,it was at a price. They laid down rules, formed territories, and told people under them where they could hunt. When day ended, hunter would now bring his bounty to leader, who would take largest portion and give back to hunter his share. The hunter's share was much smaller than share kept by leader. This, of course, was so hunter could feel safe and secure. But, now he was no longer free.

As human-kind progressed, they learned to till land, grow crops and tame beasts into herds. The tribal leaders now became huge landowners and used masses or serfs to work land and tend herds. The masses received a place of shelter and a small share of crops as well as things produced by herds. They were safe and protected, but they were not free.

I received this i-mail right in middle of a great TV show. During a commercial break some guy with washboard abs came on screen trying to sell me an expensive piece of exercise equipment. I suppose that's what triggered i-mail.

I attempted to ignore intrusion but this never works. i-mail is like e-mail except it doesn't come with a delete button. It's sent internally.

As much as I wanted to continue watching show, I knew I had to answer. "Okay...just what is it that I'm supposed to begin?"

"Getting your body in shape. Remember that promise you made to all of us down here? You were definitely going to get serious about exercising. We've been looking forward to that. You don't know what it's like living in middle of all this flab. Nothing down here really works with any zing."

"Hey...I thought you understood. I can't just rush into something like this. Getting back into shape is a huge goal. It takes planning. Finding right exercises. Scheduling time."

"In other words, you have no intention of starting."

"Whoa. Now you're putting words in my mouth. I didn't say that. You simply don't appreciate what a commitment I'm making."

From somewhere below came a loud snort. "Commitment! I don't think it's even a hazy wish."

"So what do you want? A five mile run every morning?"

"No...but a walk around block might be nice...at least to begin with."

"Big deal. What's that supposed to accomplish except ten minutes of waving at people and trying to avoid Johnson's dog."

"It's called momentum, my friend. That's a wonderful thing when you're going after a big goal. And believe me, getting things in shape down here is a big, big goal."

"I still don't understand how a walk around block is going to accomplish anything."

"Turn off television and I'll explain."