My Most Recent Aha Moment

Last year I transformed a spare bedroom into a personal space; and although I have managed to establish a daily meditation practice, some days it’s only a few minutes before I lose concentration and play with the dog or mentally plan my day or do anything besides actually meditate.

Interestingly enough, it was on just such a day that life rewarded me with my most recent aha moment …

Sitting cross-legged like a wannabe Buddha, distraction overcame me and I fell back to stretch my legs into the air. As my nightgown puddled around my hips I got a good look at my gams, not in made-to-flatter yoga pants, but naked, upside-down in all their glory.

My initial self-deprecating thought — ughh, what happened to my legs; they use to look so good! Now they’re downright spindly; and what the hell is that weird skin around my knees? Geez, I must really be out of shape.

As I lay in my disgruntled state, suddenly my thoughts took a detour. Instead of thinking about how good my legs did or did not look, I thought about all the things they’ve done and, most importantly, are still doing.

Since the time I could literally walk, those suckers have carried me through. I’ve trekked mountains and one volcano and most recently all over central Italy. Who was I to make disparaging remarks at their recent form?

Yes, they’ve got some years on them, and no, they do not now and will never again look like they did when I was 36. It’s called age, and it happens. Our bodies can only hold out for so long before wear and tear, gravity or childbirth takes its toll.

My thighs aren’t nearly as muscular and my kicks aren’t as high as they use to be, but I am the same Fit Bottomed Girl at heart. And, dammit, I can still conquer that mountainside! And for that I am grateful.

How do you deal with your body’s changes? —Karen