As a child, I swam before I walked. Then, when I walked, I ran instead. I craved motion. I started skiing at 4, ice skating at 6, played soccer, swam, and frolicked in the ocean. All time stopped once I laced on my first pair of running shoes.
The wind rushed across my face. My hair swept back proudly like a train. My feet tempo’d my way. My body caved to the rhythm of the run, and my mind followed its way. Running became my sanctuary. I quit all other sports to focus on running. I played victim to bullies for many years. I ran from my problems.
Also at this time, the formerly known as band Dixie Chicks came out with their ‘Wide Open Spaces’ album. One of those tracks, ‘Ready to Run’, still remains on my running playlists till this day. I had running shoes and shorts in my backpack. At the front door. In case, an uncomfortable emotion swept over me. I serenaded myself with the movement of the running. Like a baby being cooed to sleep.
In some of my most difficult years, I sat instead of ran. I remained sedentary. And I believe my mind saw staying as a sentencing rather than choosing. Because during those years, my mind told me I was stuck. I could not go any further. I couldn’t see the goodness before me because I hid. I distracted and escaped through
Like a dog shakes after a new exposure or smell, our bodies require movement to work through new experiences. In a world of binaries, we understand ‘as above, so below’ in addition to ‘as outside, so inside.’ My room was cluttered and my mind was cluttered. My body froze in inaction and my mind feared any action.
There comes a time when we must just go. Not wait for motivation nor desire. Because those two come and leave and return once more. Discipline communicates to your higher self, I am more than my mind, I am more than my body. When we push our own limits, we expand our consciousness.
I run like my life depends on it because my life depends on it. My body is able to meditate during a run. My monkey mind sleeps. Then, once clean – I see, think, and act clearly. Running liberates uncomfortable emotions, shaking them free.
Affirmations: Life is a marathon, not a sprint. I move my body to honor myself. I run because I love myself.