Cross posted-The Sketchables "Peace"

 

 I was busy today- Defying Gravity.

You guys know the song right? From the musical Wicked.

I love it.

"I'm through accepting limits

''cause someone says they're so

Some things I cannot change

But till I try, I'll never know"

 

I have always had tremendous fear and self doubt about physical fitness. That elementary school gym rope. It has haunted me for 30 years. I could never make it up. I hung from my wet noodle arms, red faced, kicking... the whole grade watching. Mr. Lynn, my caustic and ridiculing gym teacher laughing. Childhood agony. I have equated all exercise to the acute feeling of failure I endured with each "Federal Fitness Check".

So what does this have to do with our theme of "Peace" this week? For me it's about the peace within that comes from doing things you thought you could never do. Trying the things that scare us. Today- I did a spin class. Up until the last minute I was chickening out. I did it- I did well and ----- I liked it.
I didn't drop dead (which I was afraid of) I didn't embarrass myself (no falling off or barfing) - I actually shed a tear. (which mingled with the sweat, so no  one could tell).  I may just climb that damn rope yet.

These thoughts can be applied to anything that you think you can't do; be it art, publishing,cooking, relationships...etc...  We make peace. It's not something out there- it's in here. In us. We just have to look for it.

"So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately:
"Ev'ryone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who'd ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity
I'm flying high
Defying gravity  "