The Ultimate Yes

Sacred Life Sunday ~ It's Because...

 

It's Because...

As long as I can remember it's been something I've loved.
Even when I was unsure of my body
and felt awkward and stupid
and worried about boys
and whether they would like me enough
or think I'm pretty enough
I never have to wait for someone to ask me.

It's Because...

I can go back in time and relive any memory I want to;
that first kiss, the view from the Eiffel Tower,
watching my uncle take his last breath.
My mind is the keeper of stories,
my body the vessel in which they're retold.
In an instant, I can be there again
and it's as though time has stopped and I never left.

It's Because...

I can be with the ones I've loved and lost
and have these amazing conversations.
Death does not prevent them from hearing what I have to say.
When I speak from a place where no words are needed,
we can understand one another.
Their presence is undeniably real when I'm fully present.

It's Because...

A myriad of affairs can be had
and no one gets caught or hurt
or says outloud, "What have I done?"
I can abandon all responsibility and reasonable sense
Wholeheartedly fling myself into
the welcoming arms of lust and desire
Touch the very flame that would condemn
and consume me otherwise.

It's Because...

I can look at my deepest fears,
false beliefs and disturbing thoughts
and see them for what they really are...
truth disguised as mindless chatter.
I've learned to listen to that which makes me most afraid
because more often than not
the voice is wherever Spirit is calling me forth in my life.
That voice never lies.

It's Because...

I can sit or spin or sway with God
and never fall out of step.
There's no right or wrong, condemnation or adoration
just pure and simple love.
Grace and gratitude are regular visitors
and prayers are understood.
Heaven is right here and right now.
Right here. Right now.

It's Because...

I can soar amongst the highest clouds
and travel to places I haven't yet seen.
A place where questions are asked
and answers are given through body, not brain.
I follow the pulse of my blood, the beat of my heart
and the breath of my lungs.
It's movement and music that makes me, me
and sets me free.

It's Because...all of these things and so much more.
It's Because...I dance.

Sacred Life Sunday ~ Amongst the Swirl and the Sway

"I am a dancer.  I believe that we learn by practice.  Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living...In each it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, a sense of one's being, a satisfaction of spirit. One becomes in some area an athlete of God."
~Martha Graham

"It is of course possible to dance a prayer."
~Glade Byron Addams

And it's possible to dance one's greatest joys.  And it's possible to dance one's deepest sorrows.  And it's possible to dance a broken heart.  And it's possible to dance a million fears.  And it's possible to dance a former lover.  And it's possible to dance a future dream.  And it's possible to dance whatever your soul and spirit needs today.

Amongst the swirl and sway of my body...something takes shape, something beyond my form.   A sense of something much more than I could ever possibly put into words.  And so I dance my prayers instead of speaking them and I know they are always heard.

Flying Pigs? What the &#(%?

 

I just hit the send button that officially makes me a participant in the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati.  Despite the shrill voice in my head that's screaming, "What in the world have you just done?", I have the biggest grin on my face and I owe it all to Patti Digh.  I don't know Patti personally nor have I ever had any correspondance with her, but I've been reading her 37 days blog for quite awhile now and a couple months ago I picked up her delightful book, "Life is a Verb" in my local bookstore.  

She has inspired me in a variety of ways, but c'mon, who in their right mind registers to run 13.1 miles on behalf of a stranger's invitation?  Apparently I do and I'm pleased to say I'm not the only one who's said "Yes!" to joining Patti's team of "37 Days" runners. Several others are traveling to the mid-west to huff and puff their way through the half-marathon on Sunday, May 3.  While Patti is running this event in honor of her upcoming 50th birthday later this year, I'm running it in celebration of turning 40 recently. 

I've done plenty of spontaneous things before, but this one comes with a major caveat; three months of some serious stamina and strength training.  I've been a runner for most of my life, but it's been quite awhile since I've gone past the three-mile mark and there's a BIG difference between three miles and thirteen!  I've run a half-marathon once before and it didn't kill me so I know I can do this.  However, that was nine years ago and right now (as I sit contemplating the wild-n-crazy decision I just made) it feels like there's a BIG difference between 31 years of age and 40.  While I'm acutely aware that my body is older and it's likely that training for this run will be a bit more challenging than it was a decade ago, I'm still smiling.  

It's time to stop thinking and take this body of mine (along with that voice in my head) out for a run. It'll be May 3rd before I know it and this is one 40 year-old who's going to cross that finish line with a grin on her face not a grimace.

p.s. A big shout-out to Rick Hamrick for introducing me to Patti's blog through his writings. In this case, when I say, "It's all your fault", it's a very good thing indeed.