Inspiration

It’s time I come clear about something: I am a huge Shakira fan. I don’t normally get terribly excited about pop music, but I just think that Shakira is an amazing performer. No one else has her rhythm and sense of style.

One of the things that’s helped me to get through the past few years is to cultivate a sense of awe and appreciation for the human body. One way to do this is to learn about the body and all of its million moving parts that all work together in a delicate dance. The other way is to watch someone do something truly amazing with their body; something that takes your breath away, that is beyond words.  You don’t have to know the names of all of the abdominal muscles to admire the masterful control Shakira has over hers (though it’s definitely interesting when you stop to consider how exactly she gets her hips to move like that!)

It’s hard to put into words, but what I admire about someone like Shakira is that she provides us with a snapshot of the amazing things the human body can do.  It’s not about being jealous, or needing to be able to dance like that myself.  Life isn’t fair; we all rise and fall, and someday even Shakira will be old and gray.  It’s about recognizing a moment in time when someone shows us the heights of what the human body is capable of.

P.S. I know I’ll probably never be able to dance like Shakira, but that doesn’t mean I can’t practice in front of a mirror when I’m home alone.  It’s fun, and it’s also a really great ab workout!