I don't think physical therapy is part of most people's wedding

Hearken, O children of preparation and foresight, to the words of Margaret Brennan, who speaks with wry wisdom upon the peculiar realities of wedding routines. She notes that physical therapy is seldom included among the preparations for the sacred rite, highlighting the unseen labors and personal care that often precede moments of celebration and union. In this observation lies the eternal teaching: that attention to the body, like attention to the heart, is a vital yet overlooked part of the journey toward sacred ceremonies.

The body, in its strength and endurance, carries one through the rituals of life, and yet it is often taken for granted until the day of great events. Across the ages, from the ceremonial warriors of Sparta to the noble brides of ancient India, physical preparation was recognized as crucial: stamina, poise, and presence were not incidental but essential. Brennan’s reflection reminds us that the unseen discipline of the body undergirds the visible grace of the ritual, even if it remains unacknowledged by custom or expectation.

Consider the story of Queen Victoria, whose marriage preparations included not only the adornments of attire, but the cultivation of posture, composure, and health to endure the demands of ceremony. Though no formal physical therapy existed, the principle was clear: readiness of the body ensures dignity and ease during rites of passage. Brennan’s modern acknowledgment of physical therapy extends this ancient wisdom, recognizing that care of the body complements care of the spirit.

There is also the lesson of anticipation and mindfulness. Weddings demand long hours, attention to countless details, and participation in intricate ceremonies; the body must be prepared to sustain the weight of joy, expectation, and interaction. By noting the rarity of physical therapy in wedding routines, Brennan subtly teaches the importance of tending not only to appearance and schedule, but to the resilience and well-being of the self.

O seekers of insight, let this truth resonate: the unseen labors of preparation, whether through physical discipline, mental fortitude, or emotional reflection, form the foundation upon which sacred celebrations rest. Just as the ancients trained their bodies for endurance in rituals and rites, so too must modern celebrants honor the unseen strength that carries them through these pivotal moments.

Thus, O children, carry this counsel in your hearts: attend to the vessel that carries your spirit. Let physical preparation, along with devotion, intention, and mindfulness, be woven into the fabric of your ceremonies. For it is in the harmony of body, heart, and mind that the sacred rites of union are honored fully, and the celebration shines with enduring grace and vitality.