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Thursday, August 26, 2010

A Kick in the Rear

I got up this morning and scared myself.

My head throbbed. My hair stood up in a mohawk. Random bursts of pain shot through my thighs. I wobbled into the kitchen, groaning, turned on the coffee pot, then into the sunroom and turned on the computer. Sometimes I shrieked.

I passed by the photo of me in Italy 20-some years ago, overlooking Florence in size eight jeans. The night before, I'd got wasted in some disco and I hadn't much sleep. The hangover was vicious. But there I am, smiling brightly, ready to take on Florence.

I'm not that resilient anymore. I've allowed myself to get decrepit.

If I don't want to keep going in this direction, I need to reverse some of my actions. I like the photo my daughter took of me, up at the top there, bending over to get a new perspective. It says to me that sometimes I can think outside of the box. And that's where I can start to change, envisioning a different way.

20 comments:

CiCi said...

Looking at things in our lives from a different perspective does sometimes help make necessary changes and help us take better care of ourselves. I like the photo your daughter took of you too.

Unknown said...

I know what you mean. I'm 25 and feel like my body's falling apart around me! Well. Not that extreme. But I'm really unfit and a bit overweight, and if this is supposed to be the prime of my life, what's the rest of it going to be like...?
If you need someone to shout out support for your life-changing ideas, you know where to find me :) :)

The Bug said...

My rear needs kicking too!

Carrie Van Horn said...

I wake up like that a lot these days....feeling decrepit...I need to do something about it as well. I love the photo that you took...you are a wonderful photogrpher! :-)

Brian Miller said...

the last pic is rather beautiful...and you can do it, if you really want it chris...

the walking man said...

If you don't like the direction your headed, like you said don't go forward. But you have to realize that left and right turns are sometimes better than reverse.

Personally I like going left just because I know I will never run into the likes of Sarah Palin or John "The Orange Man" Boehner to the left.

Terra said...

This post is overall upbeat, showing your positive attitude and I like both photos.

ds said...

Just stopped by to thank you for visiting the window and leaving a bit of yourself behind. I like your blog...

You have my deepest sympathies regarding the loss of your mom. There is no pain greater than that inflicted by Alzheimer's; you wrote about that with dignity and grace. Thank you.

Unknown said...

well I find it is ever so much work to keep somewhat fit and in shape at this stage of my life! I long for those youthful days up until my hysterectormy at 40 when I could eat and drink anything and never gain an ounce...now I spend hours on physical fitness and still fight the bulge battle...and can't seem to be dedicated to that 4 letter word, diet....so hope you feel better as the day goes on! Sometimes the stress just catches up and we need a good time out for ourselves!!

e said...

Let me know how you get on with this, Chris. I'm trying to do the same thing...

Titus said...

Oh wow to that photograph.

And an absolute banquet for thought - thank you.

Monkey Man said...

That was so cool that your daughter snapped that photo. Life IS looking at things differently today. Great post, my friend.

One Prayer Girl said...

Beautiful post and the pictures are fantastic.

PG

Magpie said...

What an absolutely beautiful picture you took! Was it taken the day of the memorial for your Mom? Such a lovely memory.
Your attitude is right on the money...make what changes you can and accept what you can't change.
"Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth."

Syd said...

A great photo. A different direction is possible. Just do it Chris.

One Stop - The Place For Poets, Writers and Artists said...

Don't look back - you are beautiful now mi lady.

Love from the moon

Unknown said...

I remeber getting hammerd many years ago I was performing at a very well known theatre in south-west England. I believe that I went through an enitre bottle of brandy and half a bottle of whisky but was back at work, no hangover bright and breezy for rehersals the next day! Ah youth...

I know exactly what you mean. I'm becoming more and more "imobile" because of my age, the condition of my bones, creeping arthritis and rheumatism, but I have to keep going. Changes in diet, regular excercise and I walk to where I'm going as far as possible, up and down stairs instead of lifts.

Truly great photos.

Karen said...

Every day I tell myself I'm going to get on the treadmill or go out for a vigorous walk. Then I get home from work and sit down on my swing and think. I need to move, but I don't. I also don't want to physically become unable to walk, so I KNOW that walking now is a necessity.

Why don't we do what we know to be the best or right thing?

I like your perspective on this. The photo is beautiful and your thinking is right...let's get a move on!

RNSANE said...

I have to call today and try to find my frequent flyer ticket to India...then, I will be much more motivated to clean off my treadmill and start working on a 20pound weight loss beofre my trip!

marie said...

you go, girl. Beautiful photo of the ocean! It's not as much work as I usually think as long as I ask God to do it through me.