Day 52: Beware Inertia

My first day back at boot camp, I peed in my spandex doing jumping jacks and couldn’t lift my legs off the floor for crunches. Humility instilled. While our bodies recently created life, and therefore reach the highest levels of badassery, there are other aspects of our physical bodies that deserve attention.

One may ask, "But what does this have to do with mindfulness?" To be sure, mindfulness does not dictate an exercise regime. That said, many people have the mistaken belief that mindfulness suggests we should be passive in our lives, be zen with everything, and therefore change nothing. Were that the case, I would continue to enjoy endless naps and binge watch New Girl.

Instead, mindfulness asks us to look at our lives, moment-to-moment, with curiosity and compassion. And in paying attention my all aspects of self, including my physical body, I recognized when I was ready to reintroduce exercise into my regime (after my doctor gave me the go ahead, of course). When we pay attention, we can take wise action, that aligns with our truest needs and values.

So I invite you to listen to your body's cues. Beware the sweet pull of inertia, which takes great effort to overcome. And as you are ready, get off the couch and get some movement back into your life, whether it be in the form of yoga, slow gentle jogs, or (a personal favorite) witching hour dance parties around the living room with your baby, resigned to your tomfoolery, nestled in your arms.