I’ve read a lot about balance lately, seeking the middle and avoiding the extremes of anything. “Avoiding” can create resistance however, and resistance can insight imbalance.
What you resist will persist…as the saying goes.
Catch 22
Last week at my day job, I had a conversation with a co-worker about personal training.
She said to me “but you don’t do that anymore”
I immediately felt defensive. Like I lost a part of my identity within an area of my spirit that is very important to me.
I will always strive to articulate and share the gift of health and fitness as it has changed my life. There were many years of my life that I lost to self-deprecation and defeating behaviours.
It’s not about fitting into a certain size.
Or out-running or out-lifting the person beside me at the gym.
For me, it’s a way I can channel the tricky stuff into self-love. To move and live the way our bodies are designed.
It’s seeking the middle.
Balanced.
Mind/Body/Soul seamlessly working together to appreciate the simple joys in life with vivacious energy. Actually experiencing life.
I struggle with the extreme side of the fitness industry.
Push past physical pain.
Eat your boiled chicken and steamed broccoli.
Skip dinners out with friends or loved ones.
Devote all your free time to sweating in the gym.
Craft yourself an ass you can bounce a quarter off of.
Pick apart your body in the mirror, oh tomorrow you can continue the pursuit for that perfect physical frame.
Never fit enough.
Never strong enough.
Just never enough…
Ugh, it’s a dangerous game leading to self-obsession.
Sometimes you have to step back and look at the big picture.
The Why’s.
The heart of drive which lives behind action.
I am seeking the middle.
Living in the right now.
I took some time to answer: Why is health and fitness important to me?
So I can live freely in a frame that isn’t restrictive to movement.
So I can run paths lined with golden trees and feel the euphoria that comes when I find my rhythm.
So that I can better keep up to my kids whose curiosity for life and hope for their future inspires me.
So I can enjoy food without feeding the extremes. Binging/Restriction.
So I can FEEL. The good stuff right along with the tricky stuff.
Understanding that maybe happiness is found within life’s ordinary moments.
The way the sunshine slowly seeps into my living room giving life to cherished photos as I do my Miracle Morning.
The way my son Lucas asks daily: “How was your day Mom?”
The way my daughter Tess side hugs me like it’s no big deal. But she closes her eyes for a brief moment.
They way my son Ty pokes his head out of the basement dramatically and yells “HI!” And we recap our day.
The way my kids tease each other at the kitchen counter as they eat banana bread.
The way my dog excitedly greets me at the door everyday like we’ve been apart for years.
It’s just so simple, but I have overcomplicated it.
I am doing my best at parenting solo (not truly solo, but solo in my home).
And I’m going to focus on the small victories within my day.
The little bits of happiness that weave a big happy.
I’m going to treat those I love with respect and care, and do the same for myself.
I’m going to spread a little sunshine and happy to others.
Because why not? Oh my…this life has enough negativity and shame within it.
I wish the same for you…
From my heart to yours,
Christine
Reclaiming LIFE 