My lack of physical activity these past few weeks reminded me of a post I wrote last year about a sport I've always enjoyed. I'm revisiting it here for Sandra's Old Post Resurrection Hop.
When you run ...
drink at least two glasses of water at the start,
bend your body forward to give yourself a push,
run at your own pace; endurance is better than speed.
I've kept these three simple reminders in check since I started running a couple of years ago. To some people, running is a fad; something to do to be part of the crowd, to be cool. For many others though, running is a lifestyle.
1. Drink at least two glasses of water at the start
Life begins with nourishment and is sustained by nourishment. Just as those two glasses of water keep me hydrated when I run, my life is nourished by friends and family who continue to support me. I could not imagine a life without them. Even in their most idiotic way, friends always give me a reason to smile and find pleasure in the seemingly boring or unpleasant situation. They help me see the rainbow behind the cold grey sky. Daunted by life’s trials, setbacks and unfair challenges, friends keep me afloat – at times by their solicitous advice, many times by their cheerful outlook in life and steadfast faith in tomorrow.
Family, on the other hand, keeps me grounded. Unknowingly perhaps, they taught me to be strong in the face of life’s harsh blows. The many difficult moments we shared and fought about nourished my soul and strengthened my resolve to forge my own destiny. I recognized, a bit late perhaps, that the bond that tied us together was what allowed me to be free and be the person I wanted to be.
Life begins with nourishment and is sustained by nourishment. Just as those two glasses of water keep me hydrated when I run, my life is nourished by friends and family who continue to support me. I could not imagine a life without them. Even in their most idiotic way, friends always give me a reason to smile and find pleasure in the seemingly boring or unpleasant situation. They help me see the rainbow behind the cold grey sky. Daunted by life’s trials, setbacks and unfair challenges, friends keep me afloat – at times by their solicitous advice, many times by their cheerful outlook in life and steadfast faith in tomorrow.
Family, on the other hand, keeps me grounded. Unknowingly perhaps, they taught me to be strong in the face of life’s harsh blows. The many difficult moments we shared and fought about nourished my soul and strengthened my resolve to forge my own destiny. I recognized, a bit late perhaps, that the bond that tied us together was what allowed me to be free and be the person I wanted to be.
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| Photo credit: www.commons.wikimedia.org |
2. Bend your body forward to give yourself a push
We all need a push one way or another. As I begin to run and bend my body forward, I am reminded of the constant need to be humble and acknowledge that I am nothing without Him. I run on my feet but it is His grace that allows me to do so. I live my life as I see fit but it is Him who shows me the good I can do with it. I make choices everyday but it is His wisdom that guides me to choose wisely. By acknowledging my smallness and frailties, I am able to make space for Him to work around me and give me the push I need to reach the finish line. By bending my body forward as I run, I see myself empty and remember to ask to be filled. I see myself weak but am reminded to be grateful for the hands and feet that make me useful to others.
Yes, a push is what we need to advance in life. It all begins with knowing that we need that push and that we need to ask for it.
3. Run at your own pace; endurance is better than speed
Life is not a competition of who finishes first. Rather, it is a journey that is meant to be finished. I am often amused by people who aim at being first. Does being first make them better persons? Or perhaps they consider themselves the best because they are first?
Maybe there is value in being first but I’d put my cards anytime on being the best that I can be than on being the first among others. I’ve learned early in life that there will always be someone who is better and another worse off than I am. Comparing myself to the one who is better can only make me disappointed. Looking at the one who is worse than I am will only make me proud.
Like running, I run my own pace, I make my own life. I pursue what will make me happy and not what others think will make me happy. And as I approach the finish line, it matters little if I finish first or last; as long as I finish the race of life with a smile in my face and a song in my heart.
Life is not a competition of who finishes first. Rather, it is a journey that is meant to be finished. I am often amused by people who aim at being first. Does being first make them better persons? Or perhaps they consider themselves the best because they are first?
Maybe there is value in being first but I’d put my cards anytime on being the best that I can be than on being the first among others. I’ve learned early in life that there will always be someone who is better and another worse off than I am. Comparing myself to the one who is better can only make me disappointed. Looking at the one who is worse than I am will only make me proud.
Like running, I run my own pace, I make my own life. I pursue what will make me happy and not what others think will make me happy. And as I approach the finish line, it matters little if I finish first or last; as long as I finish the race of life with a smile in my face and a song in my heart.
Drink at least two glasses of water at the start,
Bend your body to give yourself a push,
Run at your own pace; endurance is better than speed.
Three simple reminders in running. Three simple principles in the game of life.
