Life is not easy for any of us,
but what of that?
We must have perseverance.
(Marie Curie)

She writes in a pretty red notebook with red painted nails. Sipping mint tea next to her Mister, lovingly tinkering with her MacBook Air. Her cheeks grow red in the warm sunshine.

A few days ago she ran 10 miles, nearly. There was a point when she stopped to walk. A few points, actually. Towards the very end when her body was tired. I don’t know what she was thinking about, but it seemed like she was trying to be fair. Trying to be kind. Trying to be sweet to her body.

That body has given her so much, a point she rarely acknowledges. That body taught her so many lessons. It helped get her a swimming scholarship to a Division I school. It took her around the nation. It introduced her to teachers, mentors, coaches and friends. It was there for her.

Sure, dedication and drive played a part. In fact, they were key ingredients and they are used to the limelight. They get all the credit. But, even when drive and dedication falter, her body is still with her. Her breath still expands her lungs. Her veins pump warmth throughout her body. Her heart beats, giving her courage.

She turned her back on that glorious body seven years ago. When she hung up her cap and googles, she unplugged the deepest connection she had ever felt. From time to time since, she has practiced yoga. Connected in waves, in pieces. Moments on the mat, in the silence and stillness of savasana.

After seven years she is patiently reconnecting. Recognizing her body’s knowledge. Its importance. Its love and unwavering faith in her. She is living in gratitude. Keeping focused on the greater meaning and the minuscule details. She is honoring her body, being patient with it. Giving it another seven years to catch up.

Image Credit: Soak Up Sunshine via WeHeartIt

The willingness to listen and act on your inspiration
is imperative if you’re going to live the life you desire.
(Wayne Dyer)

Before I finished reading this chapter, I assumed I knew the meaning of nothing.

On the first few pages I found Martha Beck’s words, “…doing just about anything is preferable to doing nothing,” and convinced myself that I was destined for defeat – doomed to a week of 15-minute sections of required silence.

This is the problem with assumptions.

Assuming I knew something about nothing, I forced myself into stillness for a 15-minute meditation in lotus pose. I thought a personal-development book would only prescribe this version of nothing.

After completing the chapter, I realized I have been craving the nothing Beck describes. My crazy day-to-day schedule often leaves me frazzled and yearning for a lot of nothing.

My 12 years as a competitive swimmer taught me wonderful lessons on time management, perseverance, tenacity and humility. It never occurred to me that the hours I spent in the pool provided me with the quiet and stillness of nothing.

A two-hour swim practice provides a lot of time to stare at the black line at the bottom of the pool. Mostly, you are left alone in your head. When Beck recommends we calm our bodies with mindless physical activity – something clicked. I once mastered my nothing. I had a lot of it.

I am no longer fortunate to have hours of nothing built into my daily routine. However, I do have an amazing community of friends in this blog and twitter universe. I have time, resources and books like The Joy Diet. I can set aside 15 minutes a day and make a little space for nothing.

I must confess that I did not complete the task for the entire week, but this realization is a step in the right direction – forward movement towards the life I desire and the woman I wish to be.

As I move into the next chapter of our journey, I will bring my nothing along and look forward to exploring truth with you next Friday.