Locker Room Talk

I did it. I joined a gym. I joined a gym with a pool so I could go swimming in the winter months. And yesterday, after months of "almost" getting to the pool - I left the house in my bathing suit, determined. I dropped my kids off at school and walked into that gym with my head held high. I opened the door to the pool room, and marched in... only to find an aquatics class in session. I froze, awkward. There was an instructor in spandex dancing on the pool deck. The pool was full of mostly women. Most of the women had grey hair. Clearly this class was not for me. But I didn't want to leave and I couldn't wait.
I climbed in the water.
The class kicked my butt.
When it was over I made my way to the locker room.
The locker room was full of naked women. Naked women from the class. Naked women from their mid twenties to mid seventies. Naked women of all shapes and sizes and colors. Showering and dressing, primping and packing. They were laughing and carrying on. They were praising eachother for their efforts in the class. They were bubbling like a brook and they moved like bees. Each greeting the next. It was a party. 
This is the way it is when we gather authentically.
​So much efforting and conversation around the way we're wounded. About the way we are scared to connect with eachother. About inherent mistrust between women. I've seen it. I'm not saying it isn't there. What I am saying, is that in that moment, in that locker room - it didn't matter. 
What I am saying is that in all of our
          awareness and power of togetherness right now,
don't underestimate the power of
delight, of true praise, and of shared experiences.
This moment is heavy, and
 each of us is standing here naked.
Lift eachother up. You are a light. Be a beacon.

---