Voice of Reason

I used to have this dilemma:

1. I hate working out. But,
2. I feel like I should work out ’cause, well….isn’t that what “good” people do? but,
3. See point #1.

Lemme tell ya, I spent way too many hours replaying 1-3 in my head and still…I never worked out.

Fast forward to today and I still don’t “work out.”  Because when I actually let my body have a say in this conversation that was, at the end of the day, all about her, she responded:

I hate working out but I love to dance. I love to move in those juicy circular motions that are perfect for curvy bodies like mine. I love letting music fill me and lead me until I come back to my rational self, all huffy, puffy, sweaty and radiant. Refreshed by the types of journeys only my body and heart can take.

I hate working out but I love to pray. I love to raise my arms up towards the sky, send kisses to God, then dive back down, back flat, palms swinging towards the ground, to thank the Earth for nourishing me and those I love. I love to step back into that powerful warrior’s pose disguised as a simple runner’s stretch.

I hate working out but I love to laugh. I love to hear all about my lover’s hijinks while we walk hand and hand, breathing in that crisp fall air.

Why can’t we just do that?

And I had to admit, she had a point.  Taking the time to listen to what my body really wanted, helped me to reframe my old ideas about working out.  So now I dance and I pray and I laugh.