Friday Writings #209: Start Where You Are

 

Hello, Word Artists and Admirers! Starting something new can feel awfully intimidating, especially if it's the beginning of a big something, or really out of your comfort zone. For instance, as a kid I wasn't all that active. I'd much rather be curled up on my bed, reading a book, than running around outside. This was okay for a while, but as I got to my teenage years, I realized this was not a winning strategy for my self-confidence, not to mention my future health. 

In those days of yore, VHS workout videos from Blockbuster or the library were a thing, but I was pretty self conscious using the one VHS player in the house, located in the living room where everyone could see. What I did have though, was my own boombox with a dual tape recorder and a bedroom door that closed. It wasn't long before I figured out that if I could cobble together my own choreography to my favorite radio songs, I could put together a semi-decent work out. 

Of course this was one of the songs I danced to

Did I ever get the firm physique of my dreams with my homebrew workouts? No, not really. But I used what I had around me, achieved the basic goal of getting into better shape, set the foundation for a sustainable exercise practice, and I had a heck of a lot of fun doing it.

So for this week's option prompt, I'd like you to take inspiration from this quote by Arthur Ashe, "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." Interpret it any way you'd like, through poetry or prose, as fiction or non-fiction Just remember, one piece per person and keep it to 369 words or fewer, please.

Next week, we will invite you to write about a great combination/collaboration.