Body Over Mind

In order to fly the body has to get up high, real high. Higher than ever before I don't mean by the fine inventions of the airplane or a skyscraper elevator, I mean by silk fabric with the help of your Core, legs and upper body strength. "uh unh " my mind says, "I don't have it in me."

I started taking aerial boot camp classes this month and it has been a battle of body and mind and for once I want my mind to shut up. My mind says NO,  that signals warnings to my body

Stop, 

don't perform, 

you will get hurt!

this is dangerous. 

why are you even here? 

you don't even have a clue about jumping on a trapeze. 

You are not a circus clown 

You can never be like those people in cirque de soliel  

Don't you know everybody here is better than you?

You will Fail in front of a group of strangers and feel like a complete idiot. 

My mind visualizes me busting down the door to escape but my feet stays firmly planted on the gym mat.

 Although a few of those thoughts may have some truth to it why let them get in the way of actually having fun or actually being free from side commentary? 

I had to tell my mind to put a sock in it, it's body's time to shine, to glide, to fly. The body never tells the mind to stop learning, stop listening, stop thinking so my should the mind have all fun?

The question I had to ask myself was, How do I keep my non stop cranium from shutting me up in a closet of reclusedom? 

Answer came to me simply,

I clear it. 

I give in to my body for the moment. Shut the mind down. I give my body little compliments. I give my body attention and soothe it and rebuke any limitations that may want to surround it. I tell my body, "Hey, remember you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you." 

I focus my body on it's own goals and not the comparison of another. I treat my body to what it deserves, rest, relaxation and preparation for the workout of a lifetime. I push my body until it it tells me it needs to slow down; not my mind. 

I realize if it were up to my mind I would never try anything new or sign up for any physical challenges. My mind will give me facts and start quoting from books, my mind we give me advice, negative advice, nervous advice to send  my body to a halt.

I don't need that when I want to reach new heights. I need to be free, unchained, weightless. Last night I climbed the aerial silks for the first time. Honestly, it wasn't the most graceful climb and the instructor told me my feet needs alot of work but I got up there. No, I didn't reach the top but I was higher than the week before.

Next week my body will yearn to climb higher, it will be stronger and more agile for the effort. So I'm glad I gave in to the nature of my body and not the nature of my mind for this one. 

I walked out of the class with a sore body but a smooth accomplishment!

Aerial Boot Camp

Bridge for Dance Studios

2726 Broadway near 104 st-- 2nd floor.

Looking through the Peephole: "In Christ Alone"

Looking through the Peephole: "In Christ Alone": This song really ministered to me today on my train ride to school. Christ is really everything to me. I saw the picture of Christ, my per...

"In Christ Alone"

This song really ministered to me today on my train ride to school. Christ is really everything to me. I saw the picture of Christ, my personal Christ loving me that very moment. He was covering me and nothing could break that love of protection, no thief, no criminal, or bad spirit nothing. I was in "another realm." That presence humbled me and empowered me at the same time. I was floored by the powerful protection of Christ's love for his own. That love is so strong after two thousand years its so real. I thought what could I do to return that love besides singing my heart out internally with all my might as I pressed repeat on my Ipod? I can love instead of hate. I can be a cool Color and reflect His light instead of casting dark shadows of gloom.  It seems simple but everyone who is alive knows it is not. I can love more and try just try to love like precious Christ. To give more and care more ( to the poor, the unwanted, the forgotten, those that no one would want to watch on reality TV) I love that verse "For I am His and He is mine -Bought with the precious blood of Christ" and "From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny."  I have an awesome relationship with my Lord and Savior but I want more and so does He. Like any loving relationship we are ready to take it to the next level. He wants to see Himself in me and I do not want to disappoint the One that gives me joy. It gives me satisfaction and peace to know He will never throw me away when I get old but He will call me home with open arms. So I sing this song in worship, on the train, in the shower, with my sister, with my cousin, with my mother, as I walk my dog and on every dark corner and long hallway I have yet to journey. He is pleased with me. He loves how I worship and how I love Him and right now that's all that matters. Worship your crucified Christ, remember Him as you take communion, remember His death, celebrate His resurrection not just on "Easter Sunday" but every waking moment. His blood is still alive and still powerful. Walk with Him for your life is in His beautiful unchangeable hands. Remember He cradled you before you were born. Worship Glorified Christ because He is coming back for You and me with Victory, Passion and romance that can't be found in a Twilight novel. This is True Love, whew! I feel the butterflies I only thought a man can make me feel. I was wrong, Christ Alone.  So I CHALLENGE you to download this song and listen and sing out the lyrics. They have the power to be life changing. In Christ Alone lyrics Stuart Townend, Keith Getty In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; this Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when striving cease! My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand. In Christ alone! who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones he came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied - For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live. There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave he rose again! And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From life's first cry to final breath. Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand; Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Link to 'In Christ Alone'

Looking through the Peephole: Take Comfort in being Uncomfortable.........

Looking through the Peephole: Take Comfort in being Uncomfortable.........: I tell you one thing that I loathe. LOathe. Being uncomfortable. You know when you feel out of place, like everyone is looking at you. Like ...

Looking through the Peephole: Take Comfort in being Uncomfortable.........

Looking through the Peephole: Take Comfort in being Uncomfortable.........: I tell you one thing that I loathe. LOathe. Being uncomfortable. You know when you feel out of place, like everyone is looking at you. Like ...

Looking through the Peephole: Take Comfort in being Uncomfortable.........

Looking through the Peephole: Take Comfort in being Uncomfortable.........: I tell you one thing that I loathe. LOathe. Being uncomfortable. You know when you feel out of place, like everyone is looking at you. Like ...

Take Comfort in being Uncomfortable.........

I tell you one thing that I loathe. LOathe. Being uncomfortable. You know when you feel out of place, like everyone is looking at you. Like when you're  a novice at something  surrounded by a bunch of experts. I feel awkward, clumsy, like a doofus. I rather not be uncomfortable but for a very peculiar reason I find myself having that cold sweat feeling very often. Actually most of the things I do/try  makes me feel like I'm walking on a tightrope  from one skyscraper to the next with everyone in the Empire State watching from below. "Wondering what the heck is she doing... saying what the heck was she Thinking! She doesn't belong there. She shouldn't be doing that? That doesn't work. It wont work". You get my drift.

Sure I have thought and said the same things. What are you doing taking accelerated classes in elementary education. You know teaching is one of the hardest jobs on the planet! Are you nuts!
What are you doing skydiving black girls are not that adventurous.
Jumping underneath a waterfall like a nutcase in St. Lucia as the other tourist stop and stare. Just me and the natives.
You run in the grass with your bare feet? Where do you think you are Mississippi? You are a New Yorker! We don't do that!

Why is she so extra where does she think she is on Broadway?
(said by an actual classmate in high school)

Sure you don't have to tell me. I am weird. I have always been. I will always be.  But My weird and out of the ordinary demeanor has allowed me to hear God's voice loud and clear. When God speaks it is out of the ordinary, in fact quite extraordinary. (suddenly I'm Dr. Seuss) 

He is my coach. He pumps me up for the big game of life, when I feel like cowering in the locker room, He tells me, "Go on. I made you this way. What do you have to fear, people, events, trials, failure? I'm bigger than all those things."

He tells me shine your light! Don't hide it under a blanket. Don't just shine it in one place but in many places. Don't just shine it with people who look like you but shine it so many different people will see and be fearless and uninhibited just like you. In Matthew 14-16 Jesus explains it best, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see."
 He says, "I lit you so the world can see and be better for it." When we hide we don't make the world better we keep it the same.

He has opened doors flooded with opportunity. Is it going to be easy? No. But don't run away from a blessing just because you're uncomfortable. Get out of your shell and  receive All of what God has in store for you and sometimes that may mean being a little hesitant a little UNCOmForTable...