Capturing kinetic energy
Here at Flower Power, we talk a lot about energy. There are lots of ways to think about energy, from calories to auras. Today, I'm interested in kinetic energy: the energy of an object due to its motion.
Bruce Lee has been widely referred to as a "kinetic genius," and watching him onscreen bears this out. His movement is undeniably impressive, verging on incredible. He's fluid, innovative, unthinkable fast. Yet ask anyone who's more intelligent-- Bruce Lee or Einstein-- and I bet you won't be holding your breath.
The idea of kinetic intelligence under-appreciated. In the U.S., dominant culture dictates you can be a nerd or a jock. If you're a nerd, you're weak. If you're a jock, you're dumb. You have to pick a lane. For most adults, our use of our bodies is rote. We use our eyes and fingers a lot, in service of our "real work". In jobs requiring physical labor, our bodies are tied to productivity (thanks, capitalism). But true respect for physical feats, bodily beauty, body wisdom and intuition? Largely missing. What a loss- how about if we adopt a both/and mentality instead of an either/or one? There would be huge implications for health and happiness.
Our bodies aren't just containers for our minds. We can know with the body. We can communicate with the body. We can express with the body. We can create with the body. We can feel with the body. And there are large bodies of scientific evidence demonstrating that exercise improves cognitive function, emotional regulation, and aging. Conversely, mind-body therapies like meditation and biofeedback can alter physiological functions. Look at this broadly: not either/or. Both, and.
Every time the Olympics roll around, I'm reminded of the quip that a regular person should compete in every event, just as a reference point, so we don't forget how incredibly difficult the feats of the athletes are as we sit on the couch and nitpick their performances. Can you imagine your neighbor attempting a routine on the uneven bars, or your boss lining up for the 100m? Sure, this is a joke, but maybe it would help us appreciate the feats of the body a little more. Athletic feats can be truly awesome.
How could you value your body's awesomeness more? There are plenty of sports and physical hobbies for adults, from kickball to surfing. Is there something you're always wanted to do but you think you're too old, too out of shape, too inexperienced? I humbly offer that you are NONE of those things! You may not be Bruce Lee, but your kinetic energy is part of your existence, and nurturing it can enrich your life.
