It was ten minutes until six a.m., and I sat on the side of
my bed shaking off any lingering sleep. I glanced to the sheer curtains as the
dimmed violet sky was greeting to a new day. My body felt as though as it
wanted to curl back beneath the covers. So I forced myself to perform a series
of stretches, changed into my workout attire, and left for my run.
Minutes from my house was the getaway I grew accustomed for
two years. The spacious trail is enough for people from any walks of life to enjoy
the same benefits of clean air, great scene, and a chance to run/walk/bike ride
to a new body. And since the day start out with virtually an empty trail, I
move with the wind—lightly treading for the first five minutes and then
escalating to a good sprint. The light traffic hadn’t broken my focus, it only
helped with an inner peace to do a couple of my favorite things—pray and meditate.
As I run, I thank the Lord for giving me a second chance to
become the Imani I should’ve been a long time. The kind of woman that realizes
beauty is a mere superficial façade that changes over time and perfection is a
falsehood of the mind. Bruce Lee said it best—showing it off is a fool’s idea of glory. Being perfect does not
surmount your true purpose of life, because when you least expect it, the
unrealistic surface you hold dear will leave you.
I also give thanks for being placed in a situation to learn
humility and patience. Not only I allowed the lies of superficiality to drive
me to the point of depression and gain a ton of weight, but living a life when
putting myself first became last. The tireless effort I’ve put into assisting
people who weren’t able to take care of themselves has been a life lesson
itself. The numerous times I complained about life, I should’ve got on my knees
and thanked Him quietly for working
me. His creation became the result of
what I am today—a woman that uses her inner strength toward her advantage.
 |
| Me, Before |
I then added another thanks. It’s something I’m truly
grateful to which I’m still blessed to have—my legs. When I lived a life of
obesity, I suffered a great deal with painful limbs. From my hips to the tip of
my toes throbbed to the point I didn’t want to get out of bed. And standing at
five feet two, it made walking unbearable. Ultimately, I took the initiative to
do something about it but I needed to appreciate a lifestyle change based on
mental as well as physical transformation. And though it wasn’t easy, I
achieved to what I thought was an impossible feat.
I may have made it through the storms but there’s still an
occasional rain shower. Every morning into the night, I wrestle with lingering
demons of my past as self-doubts would tap my shoulder. So my daily run is
more than physical. It’s an inner workout to shed the mental weight. When some
people start a weight loss program, they tend to forget their mind and soul are
just as important. A person cannot open a new door until they’ve closed the one
from their past. Essentially, you can lose all weight you want while ignoring that
unfinished business, but I guarantee your successful weight loss could potentially
come back. I know this, believe me!
Meanwhile as I ended another three or four mile journey, I walked
back to my truck recollecting the new ideas I developed for my projects. That pathway
I set out every morning is an access leading to many stories I’ve written as
well as major business decisions concerning Pink Noire. So what I do at the crack
of dawn is just another part of my business day. My mission is not superficial—it’s
a regeneration of what’s to come.
4 comments:
POWERFUL!
Thank you so much!
Imani more than you realize you are my inspiration in the writing game yes but life itself. You keep me going . You are amazing writer and motivator.
Tamyara, thank you so much. There are days I wonder if this career is for me but with comments like yours, I know I can't give up. And, with your kind words, you're going to make me cry. :)
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