Run For Your Life
Life doesn’t take breaks, so neither can I!
It’s 5:42 am. I am 27 minutes and 12 seconds into my 30-minute morning run and my mind says “Come on girl, less than 3 minutes to go.” It’s at this moment that I realize…
I am not running to meet the finish line, but bearing the weight of each minute endured.
By this time, I’ve run over two and a half miles, my breath is getting shallow, my feet hurt, and my legs are tired. When everything in me says stop, I keep going. I must.
I have abstracted this awareness, checking its validity against various life experiences I have had. If there’s one thing I’ve come to understand in doing so, it’s that each step forward, each moment that passes, each day that goes by, is permanent. Every decision that you make or opportunity that you miss will cease to exist in its original form, but its impact will continue to live on within you. In a funny way, I now know we do not control the entirety of our decision-making. I mean, how could we? We are tested every day by the uncertainty and unpredictability of life’s circumstances.
But I believe, in the test, there lies a testimony. An opportunity to show up. To embody the wisdom and knowledge gained in living truthfully by rising to the challenge and having the courage to give it your best shot. To my understanding, it is pressure that reveals to us who we are, not who we think we are.
Running teaches me how to go the distance. It draws out the part of my ego that values and prioritizes the safety of my comfort zone. And as insecurities rise to the surface of my mind, as each second goes by, I am left with a choice… To cower or to confront. To break into uncharted territory or to remain under the safety blanket of familiarity. When I’ve expired all the tools of distraction and finally reach my wit’s end. When my mind gives me valid reasons to pause or excuses to quit, I remember… Life doesn’t take breaks, so neither can I.
Look, life is no walk in the park. It’s coming for you, and for me, and when it does, it’s gonna come hard and fast, so fast, that in that moment of chaos, you may not have the time or opportunity to think of a better decision depending on the circumstance. And when that happens, because it will, all you will be able to do is rely on how well you have prepared yourself to suffer in the name of truly Living…
How much suffering can you actually bear? Car crash? Cancer? Death of a loved one? Pain and hardship don’t discriminate and we’re all on a one-way ticket out of here.
What you make of this, and the experiences you have in response to the circumstances you face in life are up to you.
But for me, I will use every circumstance I face and every situation that it puts me in, as an opportunity to represent That Which I Know I Am. I will resiliency, fortitude, and open-mindedness, and imbue all of my actions with the energy of my heart and soul in preparation for the one moment when it matters the most. Life is random, and hardship lies just around the corner. I must take full advantage of the best of my faculties to chase my dreams as I run for my Life.
Who will you be the next time chaos knocks on your door?
You decide.
I hope this call to action has compelled you to move forward with courage and willingness to rely on your own capabilities in facing Life as it unfolds. If this resonates with you, don’t hesitate to check out the pieces below, they have helped me stay ready to tackle whatever may come my way. Thank you for your support it is deeply appreciated.
Let’s stay connected! If this piece has helped you please share, clap, and leave a comment. I intend to not only share but engage with like-minded individuals, and those from all walks of life. If you like this story and want to follow my journey as a writer, give me a follow and a shout! I will do the same. I look forward to meeting you.- Free
