This is for girlfriends out there. This morning I stepped on the scales, not usually a good thing (especially after indulging in a chocolate splurge yesterday.)
Before going down the rabbit hole of shame I started bouncing around the kitchen, exercising to my favorite U2 songs “Elevation” playlist.
“The goal is elevation…”
“Get on your boots, your sexy boots…”
“You don’t know how beautiful you are…”
“Stand up for love…”
Bouncing, kicking, elevating my exercise grooves while trying to elevate my mind muscles at the same time.
“Love lift me out of these blues…”
So I blew it (a little) yesterday, but today is a new day. Bouncing around the kitchen (hitting replay) I may be Voluptuous Virginia at the moment (my sister’s encouraging spin for me when I complained about gaining 20 pounds) but that doesn’t mean the inside me is any less beautiful.
The outside me may need (a bit more) work.
“God loves you by turning your mistakes into grace, by constantly giving you back to yourself in a larger shape. God stands with you, not against you, whenever you are tempted to shame or self-hatred.” Richard Rohr, OFM
Um, God? So glad You turn my mistakes & failures into grace by enlarging the (try again) inside me, but can You give me back my outer me shape a bit smaller (vs. larger?)
With my full cooperation (chocolate treats every now & then notwithstanding…)
grace, peace & (thinner) me grooves
Virginia : )
p.s. Actually lost 3 pounds, something to celebrate (if there weren’t so many more pounds to go.)
p.s.2. As a (very very) longtime U2 groupie, here’s a YouTube of U2’s official Elevation video that was also used with the Lara Croft Tomb Raider movie (also a fan.) Email readers you know the drill (link to Roses website for a look & listen.)
Roses in the Rubble 
🙂 I hear you! I figure I’ve walked to the moon and back at this point, but I’m coming to realize I will never have my younger shape back.
Oh Nora, my skinny younger self is a thing of the (very far) past – I just want to fit into my skirts & shorts from last year! (If they subsequently get a bit looser, all the better!) Cheers! 🌷🤗🌷🤪🌷
Ginny,
I’m amazed you can still like U2 after I played their albums over and over until you were sorry you introduced me to them! My colleague, Colleen, was just sharing with me today a wonderful thought about the short comings of “the scale” in that in doesn’t measure the sparkle in your eye or the kindness in your soull❣️
Given your (very high-frequency) replays of The Joshua Tree & Unforgettable Fire, it took a v. long time to play them again, but for all these years U2 keeps putting new music out. Pls tell Colleen I like her sentiment – the challenge is to not let the scales unduly influence the sparkle in our eyes! Hugs Cin! 🌟👀🌟
p.s “Voluptuous Virginia” thanks you for your sisterly affirmation when I gained 20 pounds in Africa after returning from my neck surgery. (“You’re not fat, you’re voluptuous!”)💞 🤪💞
Congrats on dropping three pounds, Virginia! Don’t focus on the ones you still need to lose; celebrate the victory and remember: this, too, is a process. You’ll get there!
Amen, Debbie! Getting older losing weight seems a harder feat (yaaay 3 pounds!) but I’m also trying to get back in shape with long walks (& careful) boisterous exercise that doesn’t rattle knee, ankle, back & neck injuries. sigh. Cheers! 🌷🤪🌷
First I thought of Homer Simpson-mmm…donuts! Then I thought of the 2 lollipops I bought today so I wouldn’t buy any ice cream. I really wanted to buy some ice cream. But I know exactly where on my body that ice cream winds up. Sigh. Well, at least you did bounce around for awhile, that’s good!!
Elva – what a good strategy, lollipops vs. ice cream! I’m also (very) into ice cream. I make 0% greek yogurt frozen fruit smoothies (should curb ice cream appetite, in theory?) Some days it works, but other times it’s hard remembering morning smoothies @ hot summer nights. Blessings & lollipop hugs! 🍭🍧🤗🍧🍭
Sorry it took so long to “like” your reply; I’ve been moving. 🙂
Blessings on your move, Elva – so glad you have more of a cushion to write. Your new book sounds really interesting. I remember watching the Jeffersons when I was growing up – truly hilarious! 📚📺😎📺📚