I recently went on a very celebratory Rip ‘n’ Run. For my birthday I flew to Los Angeles to see a band, but to also fulfill a dream of going to the contemporary art museum, The Broad. As I lost myself in the work of great artists such as Basquiat, Warhol, Koons, Walker, Bradford, Lichtenstein and others, I thought about what set them apart from so many of their contemporaries. Their passion, ambition and creative insight helped to establish themselves the world round. I don’t know if they compared themselves to other artists during their heydays or not, but each of their work stands for itself, as a representation of their expression, their vision and what they saw as they passed through life. No comparison necessary, as they all lived unique lives and shared them with us in seemingly unchartered territory.
Later that afternoon I decided to take the sun up on its challenge and went for a dip in the hotel pool. Before I exited my room I stood in front of the full length mirror and passed judgment after judgment on my physical appearance before becoming defiant of my mind and marched myself down to the pool. As I twirled around in the water I was delighted to see so many shapes. I suppose my fixation on top athletes has given me a different sense of what bodies look like, coupled with societal norms I could’ve sworn I didn’t allow to litter my perception, regardless of the fact that I watch and admire runners of all shapes and sizes. It was just one more way to compare myself and solidify my imposter syndrome.