This week it's on loud.
Our hearts thump against our ribs, and our feet move up and down the rickety bleacher steps. "Pick it up! Pick it up!" he yells as we clamber up and down, up and down. I have a stitch in my side and I can't think about anything except the next step, getting to the end, feeling my muscles sing with growing stronger. And ache a bit, too.
I'm in this running class learning to listen to my body, learning to remember that we are built to move, to live life loud from within these skeletons and muscle structures and beautiful mysterious bodies. I am running up and down the stairs in the wind and sun of the first day of spring realizing that to live at all, we must live loud.
We must push ourselves up and down the stairs, harder than we want to. We must challenge ourselves to be brave, and to run farther than we think we can. We must pull on sneakers and old T-shirts and make fools of ourselves running up and down bleachers learning how to be loud with joy.
I keep running, and slowly the stitch in my side fades and my breathing becomes steadier. I feel my lungs gulp the air and I push my hair back from my forehead. I love the loud that is growing. I love the loud of learning. I love how we somehow, in spite of ourselves, become the people we were meant to become.
Can we live loud and joyful and growing together? Can we breathe with hearts thumping and sneakers pounding against the pavement, the goodness it is just to be in this world?
Love,
Hilary
I just love this -- this celebration of life and movement and pushing ourselves to see what these bodies He's given us can do! I want to be out there running those stairs with you, Hillary! Thank you!
ReplyDelete"I love the loud that is growing. I love the loud of learning. I love how we somehow, in spite of ourselves, become the people we were meant to become." love this! Yes. keep growing loud. keep becoming who you are meant to be.
ReplyDeleteI have missed catching your voice here in these five minutes!
ReplyDeleteYou challenge me with thinking of how the way the loud and screaming and sometimes painful noise that is in our bodies and minds changes us into what we need to be.
Thank you for that.
Okay, now I have to go get on my treadmill. I've been sitting in this chair, writing and typing too long.
ReplyDeleteI usually flinch from loud. I'm a quiet person. And I love the quiet. But I also love the way you expressed "living loud" here in these beautiful words. You've made "living loud" a joyous celebration of the way God has designed you, and all of us too. Bravo!
Yes! To living out loud, to running, to joy. To everything!
ReplyDeletei don't know about this, hilary. . . . :-)
ReplyDeletesounds like very painful, self-induced torture. but metaphorically speaking, i love what you did with it. i'm all for exercise, but since i've got 15-20 years on you, i think i'll stick to less strenuous stuff, if you don't mind. :-)
beautiful thoughts, as usual. especially for an introvert to contemplate.
have a great weekend!
steph
I came over from Lisa Jo's blog. Wow, congrats on the training. I need to be doing the same thing!
ReplyDeleteI agree we need to enjoy life LOUDLY -- even though I posted about being quiet. ha.
Have a great day!
Beth
My heart is hurting just thinking of running up and down those steps. What a challenge, not only to get into shape, but to live loud. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteImpressive... I'm out of breath just reading this. Having been to DC many times the steps scare me just to look at them! Enjoyable post - Have a wonderful weekend :)
ReplyDeletecan we live loud and joyful and growing together? yes! love this. thank you. so good to meet you...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tara - I hope we can all grow loud together!
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming by, Lindsey. I've missed being a part of FMF. I'm glad my words met you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. I'm like you - I don't usually like to be too loud, but I think there are moments to celebrate and be loud. It helps us express our joy. Thank you for visiting!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kimberly!
ReplyDeleteYes, Steph - the training is tough work and I don't even like to do it most of the time! But I'm glad you came by to read. I'm always glad to have you here.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beth. I'm glad that you stopped by from Lisa-Jo's!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deborah! It does hurt, but it is good at the same time!
ReplyDeleteThank you - I hope you have a lovely weekend, too.
ReplyDeleteSo good to meet you, Emily. I am excited to get to know you. Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDelete