I don't want to be limited in what I can do because of laziness. I still think of myself as an athlete (ha) but don't take care of myself like one at all. Everything in life takes effort. There are no free passes, and we value the things we work the hardest for, so why is it that I keep hoping I'm going to wake up one morning looking and feeling great when I've done nothing to make that happen? It's illogical, irrational and just plain embarrassing.
Also, I love being outside and being surrounded by nature. It's soothing and restorative and all-around good for my mental health; you'd never know this based on where I spend my time though.
This week and last week's gorgeous weather have been beckoning me to come outside. I have been walking (still with something of a limp) and have been loving it. I walked for almost an hour and a half today (not very fast) while listening to "50 Success Classics" on my ipod. I decided it was like my own little mind and body self-improvement class, and it was also a gift to myself. I really like gifts.
David O. McKay said, "Spirituality is the consciousness of victory over self." I would like to be a more spiritual person. I think all of these things are linked and that when I'm out of balance nothing works well.**How do you seek for balance in your life?
Do you feel limited by your body?
Do you feel soothed by nature?
What keeps you from moving forward?**
Do you feel limited by your body?
Do you feel soothed by nature?
What keeps you from moving forward?**
Comment Window Tidbit: I've been watching the 80's TV series "Fame" and have to say there are times that I'm super close to turning it off because the cheesiness is so hard to take, but I haven't given up on it yet because it's so nostalgic for me.
17 comments:
Profound, Jill. I think of Luke 2:52 when searching for balance. If each of those areas are on the corner of a square, it is obviously squished if one isn't holding its own weight.
Yes. Yes. I concur. Walking, pondering, or listening to intellectually stimulating books or music is like your very own class, session, whatever you want to call it.
Bravo for you and what Paris gave you. I appreciate you teaching me what you have gained.
Loving these Paris inspired posts! I have difficulty with balance in life, for sure. I struggle with my all-or-noneness.
I think I need a trip to Paris to learn these same lessons.
I am always trying to seek that balance, and find that when I am spending time outdoors, eating healthy, reading my scriptures that I FEEL so much better all around. These are not difficult things...we just think they are because they require effort.
Your walk sounds delightful!
I think all of us tend to be heavy on one side or another. It takes work to stay balanced and focus on all the different aspects here. I'm so impressed that you walked for so long! I think that's a great therapy you just invented!
I am totally soothed by nature. That's why I love living near the canyon. I think my heart rate goes down like 10 bpm when I enter the canyon.
Jill this is a very nice post. It's something you can only tell yourself and make yourself do... In most cases it backfires if someone tries to tell you.
I am definitely soothed by nature, but I am also intimidated by it. When I am in the mountains I am an uninvited guest, so I am learning to respect it, not fear it and be one with it. Not so easy with all the furry friends with big teeth and claws.
For some reason this time change and it getting dark at 4:45 is really effecting my energy. I'm hoping to adjust to it, so I do not feel so sluggish and exhausted by 7:00... right now it's lights- lots of light.
*To answer your question about my shoes- I have Scarpa hiking boots. Purchased a few years ago and still in good condition with a lot of use.
It sounds like Paris has given you many gifts -- I'm so glad to hear it. You had so many profound thoughts in this post -- I could use more balance in my life, for sure, and I like how you put this all together. That quote at the end is awesome. Yea for you!
I heard a quote once that "insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results." That is how I feel about my eating. I bust my hump at the gym every day only to come home and pound oreos and Halloween candy and junk the rest of the day. Then I wonder why I never break through and look like I want to look.
I love that you are taking steps to do what you want to do--being active and outside more.
Sidenote: I think everyone, everyone gets sore feet and back hoofing it through a metropolitan city. I don't think big cities are vacations for me because I'm without my car.
Oh no! I got behind again on blogging...I hate missing even a day of "Jill happenings"...
I get such a feeling of renewal being outside...It's amazing the change that comes over me.
Two goals that I have for myself are similar to yours...1) I would like to become more spiritual as well but what holds me back are life's distractions, and busy-ness...I have trouble prioritizing...
The second, is that I want to lose weight. I don't fit into my clothes from last year even, and I can't afford to buy a whole new wardrobe for this body that I don't plan on keeping this size, but the only thing that seems to soothe my anxiety and frustrations is food. It's such a vicious cycle and I curse it on a daily basis...
I really love the picture of your two adirandak chairs with the changing leaves in the background...It looks so inviting...
Great quote from David O McKay by the way!
I know this is totally true. Everything take balance and I can tell a difference when I am trying in all areas. I feel so limited by my body in all areas of life. It needs to change. I love being out in nature on walks.
Great post!
I don't want to be limited by laziness either, yet it seems to be my dominant characteristic at times.
I feel like I could say a big ditto to Shannon's comment! I do have problems with prioritizing the things that are more important. I feel a strong connection between self-mastery and spirituality.
I have stupid reasons for not exercising -- I like to do it in the morning and if I can't, I don't want to do it at all. I hate getting all sweaty. I need the universe to line up perfectly and obviously that is not going to happen often enough!
p.s. not a mouse in your house! Somehow that makes me feel much better about our mice. Leave it to you to capture it and set it free! I'm all about poison.
We got season one of fame because my daughters are ballerinas. They LOVE IT!!!! However, I agree about the cheesiness.
Balance is a constant quest for me - thus my blog being named equanimity. I think one of the most difficult things is taking ownership for standing in our own way instead of coming up with excuses.
I love that you are walking so much, what will you do when it snows?
Balance eludes me. Thus focus being my word for the year...
There was a period where I was extremely limited by my body- and it wasn't because of my choices. It felt helpless and that was a breakthrough for me. I feel like I do pretty good with what I have because I know how it feels to have that power taken away. I don't want to waste what I have now and look back and wonder what I was waiting for.
Maintenance keeps me from moving forward. With so many things. I like to blitz through things and get them done and cross them off.
I like how you said, "we value the things we work the hardest for," isn't that the truth!
I'm glad your getting out there and enjoying the awesome weather. Exercise does wonders for my mental heath. Who am I kidding it's most of the reason why I do it. It helps start my day and gets everything else on the right track.
I love my down time, my time in the cozy, but I do need to catch myself when my need/want for relaxation takes over my motivation, because while I love sitting down and watching a couple episodes of "Bones," I'm much more happy when I'm mentally and physically productive.
I really need to start taking care of my body more. It's stupid to think that because I'm a small size that I don't need to be physically active. Seriously, I live a couple blocks from the school gym, and I don't even go. Maybe I'll go this week! Thanks!
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