Breathe, pay attention, slowly put one foot ahead of the other! Notice my feet! Yikes, curled toes! Let the toes be and continue very slowly. Again, breathe!
Those were my directions last week as I finally renewed my acquaintance with my ice skates. Actually, the ice skates are new and very different from my old friends, which I had used many hours in the past. Therefore, I will admit to some fear, but not enough to stop me from venturing forth. And, so it went. I slowly moved around the rink, breathing, noticing, and checking in for various signs of holding and tension.
I am intrigued with rediscovering this activity that I have loved in the past. I have not skated regularly for more years than I care to reveal. But, none-the-less, it was my greatest joy growing up. Growing up in the snow-belt of Central New York State I had lots of opportunity to skate outdoors in the winter.
I am happy to reveal that I played around on the ice for about an hour and 1/2 before giving up for the day. I decided to quit before I got cocky and tried to rush progress. I am also happy to say, I did let my toes uncurl and let my whole self relax into the activity. lt was gratifying to know I could still stand up and move about with a bit of ease. I could move around adapting to very new skates with very sharp blades on that slippery medium and come away with my body and my ego still intact.
I promised myself to go again before the week was over and I did follow through on that promise. Bit by bit there was progress. I shall go again today and trust in the process of, as my Grandmother would say, making haste slowly. VERY SLOWLY! I wish and yearn for the freedom I experienced skating alone on that outdoor rink of my youth. (see my November 16, 2014 post) Still, as I breathe and anticipate the next time, I am looking forward to more moments of discovery and play on the ice.