By Paula Hawkins

I’ve been moving my entire life. I came up during a time when movement was a way of life for kids, and play was physical. No matter the weather, rain, sleet, or snow – we went out to play.  Among other activities, we played Hide & Seek, Jump Rope, and rode our bikes.

They all required the use of gross motor skills, major muscle groups, and all body parts – yet…for us..it was play not exercise.  We flipped, twirled, tumbled, and rolled in the snow or down a hill, exploring outside and our bodies’ abilities, but never realizing how poetic physical movement was or any of its benefits.  I survived riding my bike with no helmet, riding in cars with no seatbelts, and staying outside all day without a water bottle or cell phone.  

We only came inside for the replenishment of fluids, a quick bite for sustenance, or to go to sleep. During the school year, we had Recess to reboot the brain so we could return inside for more lessons.  That was then.

The youngest of 5 siblings with a five-year distance between the next oldest, when I was inside, watching the one television in our household, my entertainment preferences were Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, Shirley Temple, or any musical that happened to hit the airwaves. I don’t recall my high school offering college prep, so I never had a clear vision or thought about what I would do in the future.

Then, I met a boy. In this family education was very important; attending college was a natural progression. When asked what my major would be, I told “Jack”, ‘I do not have a clue.’ He said, pick something you either like to do or something you’re good at. Well, something I like and can do well is MOVE. Off the cuff, I said, ‘I like to dance’.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a degree in Dance Education, I kept it moving all the way to New York City, packing big dreams of success in the Big Apple. My dollars quickly drained from a continuous stream/my share of singing, acting, and more dancing classes. Dis-enchantment ensued with the realization my education had not prepared me for a career in show business.

Wandering through a series of careers/jobs just to pay the bills, I realized that I had a degree that I was not using and finally landed my current position with the Chicago Public Schools.  Since 2007, I have been serving as a Dance Instructor where I have now professionally reconciled/reunited with my original joy of movement. Quite unexpectedly, I discovered another joy – the Kids!

“Everything in the universe has rhythm, everything dances” – Maya Angelou.

I encourage whatever your routine is to find something that you love – ride a bike or walk along the Greenway trail.  Find a way to have fun in a physical way, an invigorating way. We will get into all the physiological benefits another time, but trust, if not me, Maya.

Our bodies are amazing. We are built where human beings have the ability to heal. If you feel your body changing, slowing down, take a personal inventory of what you are able to do. Let’s not be hard on ourselves. Everyone’s journey is different. This has been mine. What will be yours?  

Start by giving thanks for what you can do. Honor your body with a pledge to give love better – then just start.  Walk to the mailbox and back but with a conscious new stride.

I implore you to remember when there was no phone, no remote, no computer down. etc… Get in touch with your inner child, and Move!