January is over and I’m wondering how your New Year’s resolution is coming along? Did you make one? I didn’t. I was having too much fun playing in Canada to think ahead to 2015. Lately though, as I coax my brain back towards thinking (not unlike my children who went back to school last week), I’ve been wondering about all those people who swore they would finally get in shape this year, or lose weight, or eat healthier.
I’ve been mulling over the idea of belonging in our bodies and how, in order to find a full sense of belonging, perhaps we need to include not just what goes on inside our head but the way our head sees, judges and treats our bodies. Maybe, from a belonging perspective, this is the first place to start?
Is this largely a female dilemma? I’m not sure. But as someone with two young daughters, I want to be a good role model and teach them proper eating habits and how to respect and enjoy their bodies for their amazing physical strength and the unique shapes that they are. I do not want them looking at magazine photos and thinking air-brushed skinny models are reality or even something to aspire to. I don’t want to pass on my bad habits of focussing on what I see as the negatives in my body, the deficiencies, the things that have bothered me since adolescence.
In the past, I’ve often been very critical of my body. But now — and whether it’s because I’m in my late 40s or have daughters or a combination of both — I’m changing my attitude. I am fortunate and grateful to have such a strong healthy body. Many people do not. Many people do not reach their late 40s.
I have always enjoyed my physical strength: rock climbing in Ontario’s Muskoka, playing Basque pelota in Bordeaux, mountaineering in the Himalayas, hiking Ben Nevis or climbing and camping with kangaroos in Sydney’s Blue Mountains. But I also took it for granted. Now I want to thank my body, to honour this incredible physical structure that is carrying me on my journey.
So every day, I’ve been taking my body out for a date: a little fresh air, a little exercise, a little break from standing or sitting or driving. This isn’t a resolution. If I miss a day, I’ll just get back to it. I’m not putting pressure on myself. I’m enjoying the movement and my head is enjoying it too because what makes my body stronger, makes me happier and more able to deal with temper tantrums and lucky First World stress-of-life stuff.
I’m starting off with short runs a few times a week, rock climbing or swimming on the days I don’t run. And if I wake up exhausted, I’ll listen to my body and go for a walk. And if I get bored, there’s yoga, cycling, ice skating, trampolining, roller blading or ballroom dancing. The possibilities are endless.
I’m convinced that part of belonging is being connected with our bodies: to see the spirit, the emotions, the soul, the brain and the body as one whole, not segmented. Which is exactly what we are. One whole human.
So who wants to join me?