Life is filled with so many challenges and it seems that from the moment I decided to care for my physical state my entire outlook changed. I am sure that by moving the blood through our bodies, our brains, we drastically affect how we approach our journey through this world. It's not a quick fix nor does it happen instantaneously. It is a gradual by-product of caring for our bodies and challenging them on a regular basis. Exercise has become as much a part of my life as eating or sleeping. While I can't tell you that all of my days are simple and stress-free, I can tell you that, for the most part, stress does not carry the same weight as it once did. I have the ability to get back up from hardships that used to hold me down for what seemed like an eternity. Life takes on a completely different temperature in the face of adversity if you are consistent with exercise. It sounds so simple, doesn't it?
This is where I am going to dig a little deeper. I believe that we all have a soul. We hear about people wanting to be "truly happy and content". We hear about people searching for inner peace. What if I told you that those things are not possible if we ignore the external. I sincerely believe that, as humans, we need to nurture our bodies before we try to tap into our inner workings. On a biological level, all kinds of wonderful things happen when we exercise. From dopamine being released, to increased blood-flow to our brains and muscles, to the release of chemicals that allow us to get a more restful sleep, our bodies react to movement and momentum. Thus, exercise is a way to allow the same things to happen in our lives. If we are strong of body we will also become strong of mind, as well. Our world doesn't seem like a vast precipice but, an amazing journey to which we have a say in how it unfolds.
I am a very spiritual person and believe in God. I thank God all the time for giving me this gift of a body that carries me through the world. Maybe it's not as pretty as it once was and is filled with imperfections. Nevertheless, it is an amazing vessel that harbours the "me" that I have grown to rely on. For a woman that, 4 years ago could not walk up stairs without getting winded, I am constantly amazed at my body's ability to evolve and sustain me through this world. I feel most alive when I can feel the blood coursing through my veins and the sweat rolling down my back as I "run one more lap" or push myself just a little harder than I thought possible. I stopped being "hungry" all the time when I chose food for it's purpose not for it's taste. I stopped being so closed off when I faced my fears each time I walked into the gym feeling less than the other people in it. So you see, there is a simple way to change the barometer of your life. It begins with you and your willingness to commit to a life of sustenance. It starts with getting up one day and putting one foot in front of the other....and then....to keep going, keep moving, building momentum, gaining strength. As your heart begins to pound and you exhale everything else quiets and you can finally hear your inner voice.
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