A while back, I shared a post about A Few of my Favorite Things. I had intended to follow it up with more things I love, but other topics and experiences always seemed to rise to the surface. Well, today I want to share my thoughts on reading, running, writing, and nature. We all know how powerful words can be. We tell others to think positively and we try to encourage others by saying things like, “I believe in you,” “You can do it,” “Don’t give up!” There is also ample research to show how much of a difference our mindset can make in what we achieve in life and how happy we are with what we achieve (check out Carol Dweck’s Website for more on mindset).
And Yet, we often tell ourselves things we wouldn’t dream of telling other people. I am constantly doubting myself and questioning my choices or my ability to achieve my goals in my own head, though I continually strive to build others up and encourage others in achieving their goals. As a School Counselor, a large part of my job is building up students who have been beaten down by negative experiences and are suffering emotionally and academically as a result. For some reason, we are always our own worst critics. I think that is because we live in our heads so much instead of in the moment. Just as we can become critical and cranky with the people closest to us, the same goes for ourselves. When you live with someone long enough, their quirks and faults become quite evident and can be difficult to look past when you’re stressed or tired. When we live in our own heads, it does not take long for our best intentions to go awry.
I think that is why I love running and writing so much, especially trail running. When I am out running on the trails, I don’t feel a great need for headphones to keep my mind at peace. I can take in my surroundings and appreciate the beauty of creation. I can listen to my breathing, my footsteps, the birds, or the leaves in the trees. My thoughts tend to be ones of gratitude and joy more than a focus on pace and effort. Writing brings a similar joy because I am able to put words from my head and my heart onto a page. Whether I share the writing or not, it feels as though the words lose their power when I let them out instead of keeping them inside of me. Sharing them allows me to feel like I am not alone with my thoughts and it gives me the power to choose what I am comfortable sharing. Reading is great for an escape as well because I can get out of my head and get lost in a story, finding connections with the characters and their experiences. I can learn from those I have less in common with and become inspired to view things in a different way or try something new. Most recently, I listened to Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens and it was a fascinating book. It made me view my own loneliness in a different way and appreciate my privilege more.
Taking all of these things into consideration (Reading, Running, and wRiting-sorry Rithmetic, not a fan), I would absolutely love to attend one of Lauren Fleshman’s Wilder Running retreats one day. They take place in the Pacific Northwest and they involve all of my favorite things in a community of other women. If my experiences with Oiselle and high school and college running have taught me anything, it’s that running is a beautiful avenue for making connections with a diverse group of people and learning to appreciate all that life has to offer. I will continue to run and explore my world as long as possible, to the extent that I am physically and financially capable. There’s a lot of beauty out there and a lot of learning and growing left for me.
Redefined Runner 