Thursday, January 20, 2011

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  "

6 comments:

Nina Crittenden said...

Way to go, Kel! Challenging ourselves and thriving makes for the sweetest of victories! I have made time to walk on the treadmill every day and it is becoming something I totally look forward to. Isn't it cool when we surprise ourselves??? :)

Michelle Henninger said...

Fantastic post Kel! Wow! Very inspiring! You'll beat that danged gym rope! We're all routing for you! Take that Mr. Lynn - she's defying gravity!! (Is that the Glee version? Love it!!)

Christina Rodriguez said...

My schools never had a rope to climb (!), which made me sad because I really wanted to learn how to do it.

I love your illustration! She has such a nice look on her face.

Mary Lou Rosato-Caine said...

Hi Kelly~ I like your style! So I am passing on the "Stylish Blogger Award" to you. You can collect it off my site if you'd like. Have a great day!

Kelly Light said...

Thanks Mary Lou! I'm flattered! Thanks everybody. Today was another 1 hour workout-boxing,jumping rope... I think it's a way to build my confidence I never thought of before and that feeling rolls over into all of the art stuff! have a great day!

TJ Morris said...

I love Wicked!

http://elasticdragon.com/wp-content/gallery/illustration/defying-gravity-copy.jpg