People have asked me why I've been on foot or astraddle a cycle a lot lately. Why don't I just hop in the car and drive? Seems silly to jog or bike to the library, meet a friend, or get the odd item from the grocery store (Why do we always run out of milk on Sunday?).
But I say to them that running and cycling are not just good for me and the environment; they also have given me an intimate knowledge of the place where I live. I know every foot of this small plot of land -- the cracks by the old bridges, the potholes near the cornfield, the hidden driveways that surprise me every time, the curves by the firehouse. Not to mention those glorious downhills that let the wind stream through your hair in such a freeing way.
I feel the same way about my own body. Taking the time to pay attention to it and get to know it is important to me. Have you ever felt your body? It's wonderful to experience feeling your muscles move or to recognize where your form curves out and dips back in. It is worthwhile to get curious and find out where your hills and valleys are. We often think we know, but really, we don't know our bodies. You may say you know your shoe size and that an Ann Taylor size 12 fits you much better than an Old Navy size 10, but why is that? Is it the cut of the clothes or the unique nature of your body?
When we look at ourselves, it should not be just the physicality of our form but also the whole feeling of who we are. We jam ourselves into clothing that doesn't fit and furniture that hurts our back, and curse ourselves for not conforming -- rather than not cursing that which is not made to conform to us.
My advice to my daughters (and to you) is to know yourself. Not in that defeatist "I'm not a size 4" or wannabe "just a raise will make me happy" way, but to define yourself by your form, your philosophy, and your spirit. Be comfortable in your skin and in your beliefs and values.
When I'm on the road, I see changes -- subtle variations in the pathway due to weather and time. So it is with my body. Motorists, cyclists, and runners are so much more forgiving of the changes that occur on the road over time, a perspective we can take and apply to our view of own bodies. When we gain weight or age, don't look at the scale or the mirror, but take a moment to reflect on the life inside that body and how it is adapting to its use.
The roads are always there, though their texture changes in minuscule ways. It is expected, and sometimes welcomed. No one wants to ride the same road again and again. Washouts, divots, and the occasional fallen tree are exciting to those of us who walk, run, or cycle.
Know your own landscape. Get excited by the new challenges it brings you. Be intimate with your hills and valleys. You are a unique path. |
Bernadette Sukley |
| About the author: |
| Bernadette Sukley has written, edited, fact checked for nearly 20 years. Her topics range from health to sports and lifestyle, from human interest to hard news. Her work has appeared in Men’s Health, Sports Illustrated for Women, and ABROAD magazines. Currently polishing up 3 novels for publication, she welcomes discussions on women and literature.
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