Are you curious to know how a 77-year-old stranger impressed me with his sharp memory through a simple daily habit of walking and rolling objects in his hands?
It was 11:48 AM on 30th September 2025 when I met Terry McBride. I was inspecting an empty lot, and Terry, 77 years old, was walking by with a calm, warm smile. When I stepped onto the walkway to take pictures of the lots, he greeted me, and I returned the smile.
He asked my name, and we started some small talk — I’ve always enjoyed conversations with retired people, believing there’s so much wisdom we can learn from their experiences. Before I knew it, what began as small talk had turned into a fascinating 50-minute conversation.
When it was time to leave, Terry smiled, waved, and said goodbye — using my name.
He had heard it only once.
That small moment made me pause.
A simple habit I couldn’t ignore
During our conversation, I noticed Terry was holding three small tree fruits in each hand, gently rolling them as he walked. They weren’t special tools or equipment — just natural fruits that fit comfortably in the palms.
When I asked him about it, he explained calmly:
“I walk every day, following a steady routine — about 5 to 7 kilometres at a calm pace. Rolling these fruits helps keep my brain active, and it’s something I learned from a Chinese practice.”
There was no dramatic claim.
No promise of prevention or cure.
Just something he had quietly practiced for years.
Why such small movements matter
Across many cultures, gentle hand movements have long been associated with mental alertness. In Chinese traditions, this practice is often linked to Baoding balls, though historically people used whatever was naturally available — stones, seeds, walnuts, or fruits.
The idea is simple:
- Our hands contain a high number of nerve endings
- Repetitive, coordinated finger movements stimulate the brain
- Rhythm and attention calm the nervous system
Modern research now explores similar ideas through occupational therapy and fine motor exercises, especially for older adults.
These practices are not treatments, but they are often encouraged as supportive habits for overall brain engagement.
Memory challenges many people face today
Conditions such as age-related memory decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of cognitive impairment affect millions of people worldwide. In many cases, medical care focuses on managing symptoms, while lifestyle habits play a supporting role.
Walking, gentle movement, and mental engagement are frequently recommended by health professionals as complementary activities, not replacements for medical treatment.
What struck me about Terry was not that he had “found a solution,” but that he had built consistency into his life long before problems appeared.
Walking: often underestimated, deeply human
Walking is one of the most accessible activities available to almost everyone. It is commonly associated with:
- Better blood flow to the brain
- Reduced stress, which affects memory
- Support for attention and clarity
- Maintaining routine and independence with age
Terry didn’t walk to compete or prove anything.
He walked with steadiness, awareness, and enjoyment.
That difference matters.
A familiar parallel many of us already know
As I reflected later, I realised how familiar this hand movement felt. In many households, people rotate prayer beads, worry beads, or even coins in their hands while thinking or reflecting.
Across cultures, the pattern repeats:
- Gentle movement
- Repetition
- Attention
- Calm
Different traditions explain it differently, but the experience feels universal.
What stayed with me most
It wasn’t the distance Terry walked.
It wasn’t the fruits in his hands.
It was the simplicity of his approach.
No gadgets.
No extreme routines.
No promises of youth or longevity.
Just daily movement, natural objects, and presence.
A realistic and hopeful takeaway
This encounter didn’t give me a formula to follow.
It gave me perspective.
Memory challenges are complex, and no single habit can solve them. But small, consistent actions — walking regularly, keeping the hands active, staying engaged — may help support the brain alongside proper medical care.
Sometimes, the most meaningful changes are not dramatic.
They are repeatable.
Closing reflection
As Terry McBride continued down the road, still gently rolling those fruits in his hands, I felt reassured by one simple thought:
Ageing itself is not the enemy.
Disconnection is.
And sometimes, wisdom appears quietly — in the middle of an ordinary walk.