“Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.”
—Jamie Paolinetti, one of the most experienced journeymen in American cycling.
I have entered a new zone of late, both on a spin bike and in reclaiming a quiet space for my soul to allow and receive in new outcomes.
Initially hesitant to raise my heart rate through more intense aerobic activity, I took on the challenge of spinning to find new ways to bond with my teenage children. Plus, I had all those extra holiday calories to burn off as quickly as possible. Working the front desk of a health club as I do part-time, I now feel more compelled to be a model for fitness.
The first try at spinning was hard, and I thought I would never make it through the 45-minute class. The next time I took a 55-minute class. By the third class, I was addicted, feeling connected to my fellow exercise buddies (both my children and other “spinners”) in very powerful ways. There is camaraderie to working independently towards similar health goals. I imagine marathon runners and other athletes feel that same surge of connection that keeps them motivated to reach new milestones they may not have attained on their own.
Spinning at my health club is done in a dark room, led by a personal trainer, with loud music that is carefully selected to set the pace and keep the participants motivated to push through any resistance of losing momentum or completing the class.
In that darkened space, connected and focused on my body, the “I” of me disappears, and I have not a care in the world—sort of like reaching a Zen state in meditation. Looking over at my children during separate workouts with each of them, I feel a deepened sense of love for them, watching them expand in life by pushing their bodies to new heights. I also value the uniqueness of how they each approach the challenge differently. One is more cautious, carefully pacing the workout. The other is full-speed ahead, pushing the body to the maximum.
By relishing the care-free, worry-free space within my mind that comes from spinning, I stay in longer periods of wonderment throughout my days. When required, I still push through mental challenges as I would in climbing a steep hill on a bike.
Increasingly, however, I am learning to accept that the newness of each day of life, and the outcomes I desire, come as much from letting go as in pushing forward– in the same way my body is relaxed and operating more efficiently after a demanding workout.
Spinning for me is an action-based way to achieve the stillness of a meditative state—and to expand with the company of others while honoring my own needs for solitude.
Equally important, getting out of my head and into the wisdom my body has become a quick way to help shift perspective and open my life to new possibilities.
When in doubt or frustrated about any circumstance now, I head to the gym—and cheerfully mount a spin bike, ready to be led through new mental and physical terrain while fondly recalling bonding moments with my children at my side.
BELIEF TIP OF THE WEEK:
I allow myself to keep a space in my life (and in my mind) for new possibilities.
Beth Shedd’s magnificent photo of the Ferris wheel spinning shows the majestic possibilities of staying open amidst the turns of life.
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Gail Kauranen Jones is an intuitive coach, gifted wordsmith and inspiring teacher who has been leading others through transformation for more than twenty years. She is the author of two books, Cancer as a Love Story: Developing the Mindset for Living, and To Hell and Back…Healing Your Way through Transition. Both books were met with rave reviews on Amazon and elsewhere.
She recently appeared as a guest “worthiness coach” on CBS TV’s award-winning talk show The Doctors and on Sirius FM Radio. Her articles and “tips” on worthiness have also appeared several times in Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper.
She has taught many leading-edge workshops at top spas and wellness centers. She now leads Zoom group coaching programs and is a guest speaker at many related events.
Gail lives a passionate and simple life writing, hiking, connecting in meaningful ways, aligning in joyful collaboration and thriving in nature.