YouImproved

I Am Standing Still

2010-07-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

Now that I regularly do yoga on my Wii, I have new appreciation for the question raised in the lyrics of an'oldie but goodie' song. The song asks 'Am I standing still'?

In Wii Yoga and strength training, stillness is measured throughout the entire pose or exercise. According to the Wii, stillness = balance and stability. Both are important for maintaining optimal posture and health. While I am doing my exercises, I'll hear my Wii trainer say '"try to stay still while you exercise or, your leg is shaking a bit stabilize yourself, pull your head up". I often yell back to my virtual trainer, I am standing still!. However, the red dot in the yellow circle the Wii uses to measure balance doesn't lie. It picks up my body's movement, no matter how subtle or minute.

Doing the Wii is helping me to recognize how much stillness I lack in my life. This lack of stillness contributes to my lack of knowing God. My lack of knowing God contributes to my lack of stillness. So, the cycle goes. The scriptures say "be still and know that I am God". How many times do I pray to God to care for children, their future, my future? Only to discover fearful and anxious thoughts creeping into my consciousness or worse, my actions. Overreacting to a daughter's bad grade(she can't get into college with that kind of aptitude!) or a report in the news media. How many times do I choose activity, over reflection or relationship? Choosing activity consistently over reflection or relationship tells me, there isn't enough stillness in my life. Then, when this lack of stillness in my life manifests itself as insomnia, irritability or ominous aches and pain, I yell to God, my life trainer, "why does everything seem to be spinning out of control when I am standing still"?. Despite my insistence, he stays on message, much like my Wii Trainer, and says "be still and know that I am God". He commands me to stabilize my upper body by discipling my mind to dwell on what is praiseworthy, true, excellent... He says balance yourself by lifting your eyes up and focusing on me, I have everything under control.

Well, after 603 days on the Wii, I am no longer yelling back at my trainer. Instead, I try to stabilize my body and lift my head. I get excited when I see the red dot staying centered! After almost 44 years on this planet, I am no longer yelling at God. I am listening and following his instruction and asking him to help me be still, even when I think I am standing still.

Creature or Creation

2010-07-25T14:39:00.001-07:00

"I am not an animal" is about the only line I can remember from the movie Elephant Man. The Elephant Man is the story of a man with a disfiguring disease. The disease makes his face look more like an animal than a man. Consequently, some members of his community thought he should be caged and put in a zoo.

"I am not an animal" is what I want to say to the members of my human community, who assert that I have come from an animal, an ape. I can understand why being a creature, like any other animal would suit many people. An animal seems to have complete freedom to do whatever it takes for survival. If I am an animal, cand take what I want, when I want it, regardless of who it hurts. No conscience, just instinct, an instinct to survive.

Thankfully, the pain in my heart when I have been harsh with my children or indifferent to the suffering of my fellow human remind me of a truer origin.

I am a creation of God, a higher power..the first cause of life . I can do so much more than survive, I can love! I can love the sound of music, a beautiful picture or a good joke. Most importantly, I can love my fellow man. Each time I love, I declare with all creation "I am not an animal"!

My first post

2010-06-29T16:58:00.001-07:00

Hello world. Welcome to my first post. Please visit my blog as I will be adding content regularly.