Here I am, back at my favorite little park sitting at a picnic table in the shade. I am munching on corn chips and hummus. People from a local corporation are taking their lunch-time run. It is very humid. It is funny because I was already planning to write to you about yesterday’s run of my own. (With me you need to interpret the word “run” to mean a very fast walk or slow jog.)
It is amazing how jogging your body also jogs your memory and your creativity. That is . . . until the only thing you start to think about is a drink. That is what happened yesterday.
Just coming off of a bout of poison ivy and followed by a week of vacation, my exercise routines had come to a halt. (As I age, it takes less time to get out of shape and more time to get back into shape). Yesterday I had to constantly balance grit with grace.
Despite challenges on my trek up the road, I was reminded of several truths:
* I was reminded of how hard parenting can be. I ran by several homes where I heard lots of kids screaming, squabbling, and playing rough. I heard doors slamming, music blaring and parents yelling. I saw moms with little ones pulling on them. Of course, dogs were barking and phones were ringing also. The pull on your time, energy and patience is huge!
*I was also reminded of why I have a deep desire to offer comfort and encouragement for weary and worried, stressed and stretched parents! Tough times create a paradox… what you most need is what you leave for last . . . self-care. However,
It is Essential to nurture your Essence. It is not a luxury.
When we really understand this truth, we feel less guilt and experience more genuine joy and grace for the daily grind. First, it is important to understand the why of it being essential and then your focus will naturally flow to the how. My mind started to be with you, wondering if self-care feels selfish, which is good… but ….
*I also noticed that my mind was everywhere except jogging on the road! Once I became aware that my mind was running faster than my body, I intentionally invited it back to the here -and- now. In part, soul-full self-care helps get the richness out of the moment and my mind was kidnapping the moment. Oops. Glad I noticed! When I did, I heard the birds singing. I almost missed that moment’s gift!
*I was reminded that when you would most enjoy being fully and happily present in your body, the less likely your mind is to be there! Again, our active mind wants to run ahead and in many directions. It seems to want to be anywhere except happily peaceful in its home in our body.
* I also discovered that when you feel miserable and there is a problem in your body, your mind comes right there and you can’t seem to think of anything else!The mind seems to love problems. I was very very thirsty. I knew I was only going for a four or five mile trip so I did not take water. Poor choice for a hot, humid day.
* Final lesson on my jog . . . My son’s former wife (whom I had not seen for five years) managed to recognize me and pulled her car off to the side for a chat. It reminded me of the importance of relationship building because relationships have a way of coming back when least expected. I felt grateful she was so happy to see me, even though the timing was terrible. I firmly believe that one of the most important things we do is build relationships, especially with our children and families.
I did manage to jog home. However, I was so thirsty that all I could notice on the way were people drinking soda, people’s swimming pools, the algae laden ditches and even the water running off my face and arms. But none of it was mine to drink! I had to focus on each step at a time for the last mile, which is a good strategy in times of trouble.( So much for listening to birds or pondering anything else.) What a victory it was when I slid into “home-base” and enjoyed a tall glass of water.