Flextime

When my father helped me move into a West Allis apartment, he hauled my deceased grandmother’s horse couch in an open trailer behind his truck while I followed in my black, pin-striped, Ford Escort. Dark clouds threatened throughout the two hour drive, but not one stallion, gelding, or mare got a drink.

Phew!
The beauty of covered bridges and floral pastures survived the trip. I had a piece of furniture to sit on until I could afford a living room set of my own choosing.

As you can see, my humane society kitten Samantha found the sofa to be quite comfy.
She could swing a hind leg behind her head with ease.

Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape. ~Michael McGriffy

I have not always been flexible.
Rigidity forced my hand.

My shoulders….really.

Anyone whose been walking with me for a while
has heard the story.
Tight shoulder muscles and headaches
sent me to doctors and PT.
I had no interest in surgery or drugs
and resolved to fix myself…

For months I chose
morning time
on carpet
raising head
the weight of a bowling ball
just a hair from floor
to strengthen
neck muscles.

The path led
to a yoga practice
which led
to exploration of
mind and soul
along with body.

My path is not yours.

Your path might involve
walking
cycling
breathing
meditation…..
whatever allows you
to pause
and
tinker.

Because…aren’t we all just a little bit broken in places?
Rigid?
Stuck?

What if you’re not here to fix the world? What if the world is here to fix you?
~Mike Johnson

A few nights ago I was sitting on the floor with the kid and Henrietta. When I got up, he said, “Your knees sound like breaking spaghetti.”

See what happens when I stop practicing?
When I forget?
Time and perseverance have taught me where to place my next step….
Where’s my mat?

Do you want to fix yourself?
Where might you begin?
How might you limber up?

Oh…and one more thing….I’ve learned that simply stretching is not the answer…an unshakable frame requires strength and flexibility. Yoga teacher Sarah always reminds her students to engage their muscles while extending—to protect tendons and joints.

Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape. ~Michael McGriffy