Thursday, October 13, 2011

It's been there all along

We've been walking, running and biking a path just down the road from our house. It's eye-opening to discover that despite living within a major city, we live on the edge of wild spaces. Just a few blocks away we have....

The Columbia River Slough

We've seen snakes, cranes, blue herons, hawks, geese, golfers and even a secret island homeless camp in this space between a water treatment plant, a golf course, industrial land and the international raceway. Wildflowers, views of the mountains, and vistas to wild blue skies.

A heron on the Columbia River Slough

But this weekend we simply went to the end of our street. We ran, then walked, then ran, then walked, and without leaving the street we live on, came upon this:

The view at the end of our street

Living between two rivers

I'm reminded these things have always been there, this place between two rivers, so close to home. I just haven't seen them. 

I struggle with the words to describe my transformation this year, in my focus of intention. It's easy to get lost in the newness of a body that easily folds in on itself—crossing legs or folding up into various yoga poses, to wearing belts, to an ease of movement that comes quickly and without a change in breath. Some of these things may be foreign to you as you read them, but for those of us who have carried weight on our frames, you know.

There's a shedding of the noise around me and a centering of the voice within. I used to think I had to go elsewhere, to others, for help in losing weight. Diet programs, diet doctors, trainers or physicians: they had to have the answer, right? These programs—of others—have worked but never lasted, or stayed with me. They weren't mine. This time it's been different. I've gone to myself. To the center, and to my inner voice. I knew what I needed to do. I knew what I needed to face. I brought in others to help me in different ways, but I never relied on someone else to make me make these changes. The answer was there, within myself, I just had to listen to it. It's been there all along.

7 comments:

Heather said...

You are inspiring.

Jacquelyn said...

Really beautiful, and inspiring. Thank you.

Brent Logan said...

Beautiful pictures! It must be wonderful living so close to those views.

And I agree. It's so much easier to find ourselves outdoors: on a walk or a bike ride. Away from the computer.

Thanks for the reminder. :-)

GRACE PETERSON said...

Beautiful correlation between the vistas. One is outside yourself and the other is within but both have always been there. Very well written, LeAnn.

Will said...

I say this sincerely, LeAnn, I have found this post along with your journey truly inspiring.

deb said...

Found you through my friend Marilyn; love this post. I'm in my own process with health/fitness and like you, it's been wonderful to discover that it's all eminently do-able when I make it organic and mine ... one step (pedal/stride/meal, etc.) at a time.

Beautiful photos too, btw. Delish.

Heather said...

You are preaching to the choir here LeLo! I am so glad you are finding your way of doing this - isn't it so empowering?