Kissing the Snake: Unearthing Beauty #11
I go and in out of relationship with physical exercise. In the past, I have exercised to be thinner, to fit into a certain pair of jeans (that somehow will define me if I can get into them), or to be stronger than the woman in the lane next to me. I have also exercised to prove the doctors wrong, that my body is not weak from radiation treatment. Competition and ego have been a part of my relationship with my body. My pride, fear and envy cannot sustain my relationship with my body. But my soul can.
I am leaving tomorrow to do my first triathlon with my sister. I have been training for three months. And I have been religious and disciplined in my training. When I hear that alarm beep at 5:50 am and the thought of hopping onto my bike and riding to the cold YMCA swimming pool enters my head, the next thought is, "Let's skip it." But, now something has changed. I hear a deeper voice that says, "Get up. You can do this." Well, why should I, I wonder? Because my body is the container for my soul. My body is what allows love to pour through me in so many different ways on this planet. It doesn't matter if it is skinny, better than or stronger than. Our bodies deserve respect. They long to be honored for what they are. And, they deserve to be strong for this reason alone-- our bodies hold our souls. They are vessels for Love on a planet in need of it. I will remember that when I cross the finish line on Sunday. This triathlon is a celebration for me. A celebration of this beautiful body that I have the privilege of living in.
Woo hoo! That's right, sister! Can't wait for the big event. The Bradys are going to take that triathlon by storm!
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