Footprints in the Sand
By Grace Sardonicus
- Sunday, March 29th, 2009
At 7AM I was walking to the quiet rhythm of low-tide waves washing up on West Beach in Beverly Farms. Rising above the cobalt water, the sun glistened so brightly that I turned away and began walking backwards. My gaze focused on my footprints that followed me. I was looking back at the path soon to be forever washed away into the ocean of my memories. I felt so much gratitude for what was behind me. I turned again to face what was before me. I closed my eyes and walked in the un-known. There was an exhilaration coursing through my body with each step. What a fun game representing a symbolic snapshot of my life.
The thread of my thoughts weaves into passages of life and aging. Here I am almost the big ‘50’ yet I still feel 30 minus all the kid’s hanging off my hip. Yes, there are hormonal and energetic changes. And where, oh, where did my memory go? The thing of it is, I feel happier and whole. I still love riding my bike, hiking up a mountain, doing yoga and dancing. I have slowed down. Maybe because I don’t feel in such a hurry anymore. Standing at a check-out counter in the grocery store, I observed a young mother cutting in front of an elderly woman who simply commented, ‘I used to be in such a rush until I realized, where am I rushing to? To be where I am now?’
When I was a young adult, I recall the complaints of my elders having physical pain and an inability to move as swiftly. Now I see how traumatized many of my 50 & over clients are by the very idea of aging: Their health and energy diminishing, the body and mind not as sharp and fit as it once were. Fortunately these individuals are taking constructive actions to remedy their ailments. The fact is we are all going to die. I think there is a big difference between being a victim of natural aging vs. aging with grace and not believing the mind’s program that aging has to look or feel a certain way. Who knows how it should feel? I say live with gusto, mindfulness and great respect for your temple. And be happy!
When I feel low energy and sluggish, I look at what I have or have not been doing. I then apply the tools that I have learned and do something about it. I love feeling alive and healthy. This feeling inspires me to share tools with others.
I reflected on my inspiration to create EmBodyDream programs: the years of Yoga, alternative healthcare, whole natural food diet emphasizing locally grown vegetarian foods, aerobic exercise to support my physical and mental health, and, most importantly, how I run my brain. If I beat myself up or think I’m a victim or worry about my ability to succeed or lay around complaining and whining, I’ll feel like crap. I will also age faster. When I believe any story that undermines my power and magnificence, I lose sleep and fall into a ditch that stops the flow of life. Instead I choose actions that give me pleasure, energy & happiness. I take that yoga class, get a massage, turn up the music & dance!
I thought about an exercise I had done years ago. At the end of my life what would I like my epitaph to say? It’s an exercise to check-in and see if I am living according to my life purpose. So as I traced my steps back along the beach to where I started, I spoke the words ‘She lived with gusto, grace & wisdom…generously sharing her love and inspiration with humanity.’ I say YES, I am living the words on my future epitaph. I just have to keep remembering to slow down, what’s the rush? Breathe, smell the salty ocean air, feel the warmth of the rising sun and be grateful for this magnificent, magical life.
For more info on EmBodyDream programs email Grace at graceventura1@gmail.com or call 603-651-9642
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