Gratitude in the #hereandnow.
It’s been a tough 3 weeks! Again!
It seems like just when we start to move forward we get hit with new human conditions. This time a war, in a land that “seems” far away, but is so close to us as we may know or have met someone from the Ukraine.
If you follow me on instagram, you will know the pilates community is celebrating March MATness(31 days of pilates exercises), our version of March Madness(the basketball tournament). Here is a quote from @360pilatesonline who is behind this fun event every year.
“Pilates here and now” is also an invitation to get real with the work… no need for filters, staging, rehearsing, or trying to make it look “good” (as if there was such a thing in Pilates)… instead, we want you to feel comfortable to share your practice and perspective in the real-est way possible.”
When I opened my instagram feed on Day 1 and saw a pilates instructor from the Ukraine lying on the ground showing us “The hundred” in her #pilateshereandnow moment. It was a gut punch to me. One day on her instagram feed she was showing how to do a plank and then 2 days later she was running for her life. It’s been tough to get out of my head. This picture made me realize that it’s not just about the exercise, but about the gratitude of the community in the #hereandnow for this movement method and our love and support of one another.
At the end of class this week, I read this poem from “Heart Talk” by Cleo Wade on being grateful.
“If you are grateful for where you are, you have to respect the road that got you there.” We must appreciate all that we survive: the small, the medium and the monumental. Find gratitude in your life story. Wake up every morning and say to yourself “I made it here from where I started, and I am so proud of that.” When we do this, we bless ourselves and feed ourselves with the love required for us to flourish and keep going no matter where we come from or what we have been through.”
This poem was a reminder that gratitude is our gift in the #hereandnow as we wind our way through this crazy, wild road called life. My heart is filled with gratitude for all those who are fighting for their lives, their families and friends. I am continually grateful for each of you in my life.
