Exploring the Amazing
Monday, November 18, 2019
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Diary of a Runner: The Race…and the Journey
Last weekend, I ran a half-marathon race, a big event where
there were well over 2000 runners. I had
just run a half-marathon two weeks before that and was coming off my fastest
time to that point. I knew my training
and preparation had me more than ready for the second race; however, you never
know what is in store for you race day – so many things are variable, for
instance the weather, how many runners are on the course, would my allergies affect
my breathing. So, I’ve taken the attitude
to just go out, run, not worry about the time, bask in nature, and enjoy the
race. This attitude had already
delivered two personal bests, so it was an effective approach. When I reached mile marker one and given that
I was feeling strong, I visualized myself crossing the finish line at a
personal record time. After that, I took
in the beautiful scenery, high-fived some of the children lining the course and
ran my race. This all was energizing, as
was the fact that as each mile went by, I was below my target mile split
time. I finished the race with my
fastest time ever, three personal records in three consecutive races.
So, what is different between a race and a life
journey? A race has a defined course, a
start, mile markers, check points, and a finish line. It is almost impossible to stray off course,
especially with the race marshals directing traffic. However, in life, it is easy to wander off
course, get stuck in place, or even get turned around in the wrong direction. This is a paradox we all live with as the
major difference between a race and a life journey is that there is no defined
course. The journey starts when we are
born; it ends when we die. In between,
we have free will to follow whatever direction we want; there is no clear
roadmap. However, life does have mile
markers, check points, and race marshals.
Family members, friends, mentors, and teachers keep us on course through
their teaching, through their counsel, as a sounding board, and to give us
reality checks. The Universe sends us
signs and clues to keep us on course as well as to help us identify and achieve
our Life Purposes. Our dreams also help
keep us on course, as do our intuitions and thoughts. Although each of our life journeys are rarely
clear cut, the mile markers and checkpoints are there. All it takes is to look for the signs, hear
the messages, act on intuition, and follow our hearts.
I’m finished racing for the year, but there is next year to look
forward to. I run not only to train for
races, but to meditate, be at one with nature, spend quality time with my
daughter and friends, and revitalize the soul.
Running not only helps me stay in shape, it also helps me stay on
course. Not everyone is a runner, but
everyone has a life journey. So follow
the signs fearlessly and journey onward.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Diary of a Runner - Always Forward
Today I headed
to the park like I do every weekend and set out on a seven mile run. The trail head where I enter the park is
behind my daughter’s school and near the track where she used to run in High
School. It turns out today was the local
invitational cross-country meet that used to be her first big race of the
year. I fondly remember her running in
the race, the cheering, and the beautiful sunny days with a touch of fall in
the air. She set a personal best time three
of the four years she ran here, so she was elated when she finished. Her last race here was four years ago and she
is now in her last year of college. The
cross-country course uses the same trail head to enter the park that I use and I
had to leap caution tape to access the park.
It was raining gently today and as I ran through the forest, the smells
of wet earth, the leaves, and the pines were amplified and delighted the
senses, even if I were getting a bit wet.
The nostalgic
feeling of being in the park at the same time as the racers, although on
different trails sent me into the past.
I thought about the happy times, some deliriously happy; the sad times,
regret and remorse over actions that hurt other people, the lessons I learned,
the experience I have gained, and the growth I have experienced. I often thought of turning back the clock to mend
the hurt I caused and to re-experience the amazing moments I experienced. However, time only goes one direction. Time travel is not possible except in fiction
and in the movies. The river I run along
only flows in one direction. Although it
is possible to run backwards, it is far easier to run forward, especially since
I run on some hard trails and would likely run into a tree, trip on a root, or
run straight into the water, which there is a lot of near the trails. Therefore, I run forward on the route I choose
to run, entering and ending at the same trail head. So it is also true with our life journeys –
they move forward, only forward. They
may take pause for a period of time, but they never move backwards into the
past.
As I
finished my run, the home cross-country team was removing the ribbons from the
race course and most of the crowd had dispersed, along with the energy of a
major athletic event. However, I had my
own energy from completing the run, not getting too wet despite the mist, basking
in nature, and feeling the endorphins flowing in my blood. I realize that where I am today is where I am
supposed to be and experiencing the full rainbow of emotions is “life.” Just life.
The most important things to take from the past is the good times, the
lessons, and the events that have made me a better person. The current lessons are simple but effective:
live in the present not in the past.
Plan for the future, but don’t waste energy in worrying about the future. Live the three L’s in the moment: Live,
Learn, and Love. And trust the Universe.
Monday, August 12, 2019
Letting Go
What do you do when something happens, especially something self-induced, that badly shakes you up and hurts another? In these situations it is always best to have a good friend or family member to confide in. However, what happens if you don’t have someone to confide in? If the event is too sensitive or too embarrassing to share? This is where I am at today, and I face the question of how to find acceptance, closure, and peace when there is no one to talk to about it? Letting the emotions run through should work, but they ignite other emotions, often stronger. Escaping the topic or the resulting emotions do not work and only creates more problems. The only thing I can think of to do is “Let go and Let God,” one of the more powerful thoughts that are taught by many of the communal addiction support groups. What if it is hard to let go? If the situation can be resolved with an action, immediately take that action. If the situation can’t be resolved with an action, give it to The Universe and let Her carry the burden. Worry accomplishes nothing. Magic thinking accomplishes nothing. The energy drain is overwhelming if stuck in this spot. Let go…and use the energy for much more productive activities. Success in another area will help take the sting out of the disappointment.
Break a heart? Help
to heal two
Leave a mess? Clean
it up better than before
Lose a friend? Make
two new friends
Hurt someone? Help
two others get over their pain
And let go…
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Diary of a Runner – Meditation and Letting Go
Today I set out on a seven mile run this morning in our beautiful city park. Most of the trail I run is on bodies of water – a mill pond, a river, a creek, and a canal. Today I was alone, not with my chatty daughter, so I enjoyed the scintillations of the water in a very gentle breeze, which stopped at times leading to a mirroring of the landscape. In the creek, a blue heron was fishing quietly, not something I see every day. As today was Independence Day, the park was crowded with runners, walkers, people walking dogs, and mountain bikers. Still, I run on some remote trails and can meditate thanks to rhythmic breathing and the cadence of my stride on the trail.
In meditation, you are supposed to let thoughts flow through your mind – in, then out. I am still practicing that. Today, the theme that kept on coming into my mind is “letting go.” It seems like such a simple concept. If something negative happens in my life, after processing it the best thing is to accept the lesson learned and to let it go. However, the pain lingers. The “what ifs” stream through my head. This is especially difficult in broken relationships and the finality of death; it is easy to bargain myself into an endless cycle. The Buddhists practice “letting go” as part of their spiritual journey and to avoid attachment. When you think of it, over-attachment to anything is bad and can often lead to addiction and result in unhappiness and sickness.
Letting go is the healthiest thing we can do for ourselves. Letting go allows us to focus on what we currently have in our lives. Letting go allows us to realize our mortality and lets us live our lives as precious gifts. Every morning I wake up alive, I have a new gift to enjoy and pay forward to those around me. In the act of meditation, letting go means letting the thoughts, the negative chatter that happens in our heads, the flashbacks leave their message and pass out of our minds, leaving serenity and peace behind. Practice letting go – and let the pain be replaced by serenity and peace.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Moonlit Beach
We head down to the oceanside
Reach the calming breaking waves just before sunset
Turning we watch the sun dip behind the horizon
Arm in arm we watch the energizing display
Warm orange rays disappear beyond the horizon
Replaced by a mesmerizing pastel display
Twilight fades the colors as we walk along the shore
Holding hands along the relaxing breaking waves
Just as the color fades the moon peeks over the water
Captivating the eye, freezing us in place
Soft orange color moonlight replaces the darkening sky
As amazing as the beautiful sunset
We dance to the ethereal Moonlight Sonata
Sensual experience as the full moon rises higher
Eyes locked as our bodies squeeze into each other
Passionate kisses, immersing in each other
While quiet ocean sounds fuel the ecstasy
Two souls in union with each other and The Universe
Awaken suddenly from the amazing dream
Finding myself alone, I try to climb back into the dream
Unfortunately the rising sun has other plans for me
As I get myself ready for another day
I know in my heart she is waiting for me if I can just find
her
I know I will find her; I feel her waiting for me
GMB
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
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