The Terrible Twos

I think we’ve all hit some tough stretches in our lives. For me, I try to embrace the storm by embracing myself. In other words, the things that bring me peace in day to day life, will usually bring me peace in the midst of the storm. But what is funny, is the two things that bring me peace, are the two things that I simply hate. I like to call them the terrible twos.

The terrible twos have been a part of my life, for my entire life. Without fail, everyday I run to my “twos” like a long lost lover. It is a love hate relationship. And the older that I get, the more disenchanted I get by the “twos”. But I love them. I love them because they treat me well. I love them, because I show up for them, and they in turn, bring out the best in me. The two that I am referring to are meditation and working out.

I have long had a strict self care regiment. In addition to the “twos”, I have been a vegetarian for the past 30 years. I don’t drink, smoke or do drugs. I rarely consume caffeine. And, I only eat junk food on the weekends. But the “twos”, we dance together everyday. And at my age {55}, I need every advantage I can get.

Meditation and working out. I hate them with a passion, but they saved my life. So we dance. And the dance starts at 4:30 am as I make my way to the gym. It’s yoga, free weights and treadmill {which I’m sure my neighbors love to hear} at 5:30 am. It is what it is. You know how they say dance like no one is watching? I’m in it baby. And I don’t care what I look like. Then I’m off to work, which usually consist of a 12 hour day. Late in the evening, I sit and meditate. It’s how I build discipline.

Storms are inevitable. And my terrible twos keep me sharp. From that first warrior pose in a dark gym, with the only light beaming from the tv. To sitting in a dark room at night, slowly decompressing from the day. I feel alive. But I dread walking into the gym. And then that first stretch signals that today is on. That first breath in meditation reminds me that I am still here. And neither the day, nor the storm, could take my peace away. It was the “two” that got me through.

What are the things that you could be doing that would improve your life or outlook? It’s probably something that you don’t enjoy. Or maybe you do, but you don’t do it as often as you should? For me, it’s not an option. It is a way of life. Because sometimes the things you hate, make you great.