Short Thought

Since I wrote on Saturday morning, I have run 5 on Saturday, 12 on Sunday (all 8:15 or slower for the first 6 and all faster than 8:10 for the second six), and then six today averaging 8:13.  I really do enjoy the precision. And I think I can say that despite the precision I am having fun again.  I will write more about running and fun later on.

The miles put me up to a total of 1225.2 miles.  I'm on Reece Rd in Eureka, KS on my way in my own virtual spiritual pilgrimage.  The nearest Catholic Church is Sacred Heart.  Right now the only image I can think of with respect to a heart is one of caring.  That goes back to what I wrote about Saturday morning--the love and honesty that a family showed toward a member who was taken from his mortal life much too early.

That also brings me to another blog.  In sharing my thoughts with the father of the family who had asked for anyone who had a victory in a relationship with another (victory in terms of bringing someone to peace) to share with him, I shared the blog entry.  His wife posted a link to my blog in her blog.  I am posting her blog here:

http://orangeismyfavoritecolormostdays.blogspot.com/

The strength of belief in family (and family for eternity in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) is strong.  Reading her blog will give some insight into how some draw strength in a time of bereavement.  Not everyone will find this a time to draw strength. Not everyone will find this the way to draw strength.  But I respect those who find the strength, have the ability and willingness to share it with others, and use it as an example of how their lives of faith and faith filled development allow them to carry on in the hardest of times.  

The Spirituality of Advent, Day 2, Week 3

Today, I'll be commenting on a post by Metta Integrative Wellness on Facebook.

The post read:

Metta is an "Integrative" wellness center, which means that we provide opportunities to receive combined offerings of holistic and complementary wellness services such as psychotherapy, acupuncture, massage, and more. 

Do you utilize an integrative wellness approach to support your health and well-being? How has this approach enriched your life and your healing journey? We would love to hear from you!

Well, I have an answer. And it has a lot to do with the ways that I seek joy.

I only use a little bit of health care or "alternative" health care. Basically, I go for a massage every once in a while, and I go to the physician when I am ill. I haven't been to a physician for anything preventive in a long time. There will come a time when I will go for Western health care more frequently--when it comes time to get screened for various things on an annual on otherwise regular basis. Maybe some day I will take flu shots more seriously. But right now, I am well.

I am well because of the complete relaxation I allow myself for 90 minutes of massage.

I am well because of an occasional trip to the chiropractor.

I am well because I run.  (On a treadmill at a hotel in London today I ran 10K at 8 min/mile.)

I am well because when I run I run with friends as often as possible. I listen. I speak. I share. I experience the wonders of the world with others.

I am well because I write this blog. It gives me time to think. It gives me a forum to share. It gives me a way to speak out and see if others share the thoughts, feelings, and ideas I have.

I am well because I play music. My bass. My mandolin.

I am well because I occasionally write poetry.

I am well because I attend as many of my children's events as I can. Not all. Unfortunately, that is incredibly difficult with my job. But I attend as many as I can. And after seeing a movie on the flight over, What Maisie Knew, the importance of being there for as many things as possible was re-emphasized. The story was about a child whom neither of her two real parents wanted to slow down their lives for.

I am well because I have a marriage that, while not perfect, brings joy.

I am well because I teach Sunday school.

I am well because I think of myself not just as an individual.  But an individual who is

• part of a family
• part of a church community
• part of a running community
• part of a neighborhood
• part of a university
• part of a school within the university
• part of an office within the school
• part of a blogging community
• part of something bigger than myself

And it is that last part that really brings me to spirituality.  Knowing that there are many things bigger than me that I am a part of.  And trying to figure out what it means.

And to answer the question posed by Metta Wellness--I like to integrate all for my own well-being and joy and hopefully for the well-being and joy of those around me. 

Each Time is Special

A friend of mine suggested that I follow a blog from another local runner.  The blog can be found at http://sowhatirun.com/. It is the story of someone much newer to running than I am.  The author of the blog did not run as a teenager.  In fact, the author of the blog did not run a race until the local Celtic Solstice run in 2011 and has run only one marathon so far.  And this is her first blog about running.

Reading blogs from experienced runners is fun.  There are plenty of insights and it is sort of like soldiers sharing war stories.

However, I have been fascinated by the early insights that someone has.  The entire set of ideas that comes up when a person is new to running is different.  The questions.  The concerns.  The issues.  The worries.

It reminds me how special each run is.  Each time I lace up the shoes and get ready to go out, I get a thrill from the preparation and the running.  Each race I prepare for is meaningful in terms of all the thinking and all the preparation.  Each time I line up at the start of a race--even a local 5K--I still get butterflies.  And each time I finish--a workout or a race--I can say that I have done it just because I can.

I will elaborate on the "because I can" theme in a later blog entry.  For right now, I would just comment on sharing the feeling of, "So What?  I Run" with the other blog's author.  It is fun.  It is a part of me.  I like to share elements of it with others--regardless of whether they run or not.  But it doesn't make me any more special than anyone else.  It just makes me feel more me.  Like the best me I can be.  And I love that feeling.

And for anyone who reads my blog to find out about running (or life), I would suggest you check out So What?  I Run.