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| [artwork done by and for by way of ney] [skull drawing by Jesse Young] |
It is always good to have reminders that put life in perspective. That seems to be the theme of my life this year. The most recent reminder is about contentment. Being content with who I am and what I have. I was talking to one of my best friends yesterday and we were discussing our physical bodies. Not our body image and what we think about how we look. Our conversation was focused more on what our bodies give us and where they let us down. It seems like it's been a long time since I felt rested, fully rested.
(Sidebar: I have felt better in the last few months of doing Pilates multiple times a week than I have in a long time. I sleep better, and more importantly, wake better. I move better, and feel stronger in so many ways. Sure, my body is changing as well but the greatest part is the way I feel.)
Anyway, she got me thinking about how good we really have it. We were laughing because she is pregnant and has been truly exhausted as the little life grows and develops inside of her. She said, "Now that I am going through this it makes me realize how really good I felt before." And I'm sure that's true of me. There are plenty of days when I think I feel slow to rise, slow to start, lagging during the middle of the day, and waiting for bedtime.
I realize now how lucky I really am. Lucky to have this body. This body lets me work and play and do both hard, and well. It lets me play volleyball every Wednesday, soccer every Sunday and work hard through my Pilates program. It lets me run around and play with the little kids in my life, toss them in the air and laugh like crazy. It lets me walk off daily stresses by the beach and rest well through the night. It lets me love hard and feel much and supports my body, my mind and mostly my spirit. Without the gift that this body is, I wouldn't be able to live the life that I do, the one I feel called to live.
This conversation with my best friend wasn't meant to be a deep or thought-provoking one. It was just a comment about realizing how good I've got it now while my body is working well and supporting all of me. One day, hopefully, my body will help me support and grow another life. For now, it's just me.
I'm grateful for the perspective that she gave me in this short conversation.
Grateful for the healthy body that I have.
Grateful for the life I get to live.
No matter the state of our bodies, we've got to be grateful for what we've be given, no?
6 comments:
Beautifully written post. We ought to take the best care of our bodies as they are what keeps us going and moving in life.
Body perspective is a funny thing. I remember thinking I weighed too much in high school, but looking back at photos I think "dang, I was thin!" We really should work on being happy with who we are now.
Amen! I constantly remind my yoga students of this, that we should be grateful for our healthy bodies and not take them for granted!
I have degenerative spondylolisthesis and after my son was born, it was so awful I couldn't put him in his crib, or barely walk for that matter. It was horrible. I have started doing pilates (slowly) in the past year and I feel so much better. I even did a spin class this morning. I totally appreciate the little things.
When I stand up and don't feel my legs give out, or I can go on a long walk with Ben, or chase him around the house, something I really worried I would never be able to do again. So, great post! :)
Amen girlfriend! It is amazing how we don't realize how grateful we should be for our health until it is taken away. Great reminder. Thank you.
Thanks for the reminder. Also, I feel very happy for the women who wrote under "whatbenwore."
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