It Gives Me What I Need
April 30, 2023
Good morning my friends. I hope you’re doing well and enjoying life. Today’s the last Sunday and final day of April! Where did this month go and why did it go so fast? I suppose being on the road, away from home, for nearly two weeks didn’t help. I love adventures and visiting amazing places. My travels this month proved to be exciting and fun! I have another fabulous trip scheduled during the month May. I do my best to live in the present; enjoying each moment and day as they pass. Lately, or maybe it comes with age, my days seem to speed by much too quickly. There are times that I need certain things, feelings or connections to help me get through the day. It’s not a common occurrence for me, but when it does creep into my life, it’s nice knowing I can rely on these simple tricks to keep me focused, sane and moving forward. It could be something as easy as enjoying peace, quiet or solitude. I’ve become acutely aware, over the years, and typically know exactly what to reach for in my “tool bag” to relieve uneasy sensations within me. These needs, when they arise, can be related to physical, mental or spiritual deficiencies. Whatever the case, I want to be well prepared to deal and resolve them before they create negativity within me. As a kid I loved being outside. There wasn’t a day that I didn’t want to go out into nature to play. Apparently not much has changed for me since those days. I always enjoy being out of the house, doing just about anything, because it’s always wonderful.
We all need, crave or desire specific things to assist us when dealing with difficult or critical internal issues. I have become more attune what my body, mind, spirit and what they require as I’ve aged. It’s not a necessity for me to respond to each incident, but now just more of a daily ritual to maintain balance and happiness. Other individuals may need to forcefully decompress, with more frequency, due to lack of pre-preparation. We all deal with situations in a variety of ways; that are a result of stress, anxiety or anything that creates negativity within our daily life. How we deal with these circumstances or events may be completely different and directly related to our own personality. I know there are some of you who just don’t deal well (or at all) with these events; allowing them to build up inside until you simply explode. It’s beneficial when I have a system in place to help me deal with these issues when they occur. I believe it’s best to have a plan and know what to do, even before I actually need it. Exercise, or physical activity, has always been a great way for me to decompress, destress or clear my head of negativity. Running has been my primary “go to” activity for over 50 years. It has provided an avenue for exercise and fitness; but more importantly it gives me a release for stress, while calming my mind with mental relaxation. There are times I run to escape life and free my brain, while enjoying nature and all of God’s magic. Running has always given me what I need. For me, it has become like a moving mediation. It lifts my spirt up when I’m down. It energizes my soul, mind and body. In all years on this earth, I have yet to find another activity that provides me the same benefits or feeling. Being out in nature; hiking, biking or just sitting; has incredible healing powers that sooth my soul. If I can put my bare feet on the earth, it’s nearly magical. Forming a connection and bond with our planet; whether you’re walking on a beach or on the grass around your home; grounding your body and soul is an amazing and calming experience. I highly recommend going outside into nature and experiencing the sensations.
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had so many amazing years of fabulous use of my body. I hope to keep this pathway moving forward into the future; as much as possible. The physical demands, wear and tear and abuse I’ve placed on my physical form have definitely taken a toll. In years past, injuries seemed to be a limited time nuisance that were easily overcome. Recovery time was quicker and much less of an issue in my younger self. Then the covid fiasco, of 2020, hit and locked down the world. The severe consequences of sequestering, plus an intense case of the virus, left my lung capacity and endurance struggling. Rebuilding my strength has been a complicated journey. When I fractured my ankle, during the Florida Trail Ragnar, on December 4th, last year, it threw a new twist into my overall training. Four months of a hard boot, limited mobility (none for two months), no cardio exercise and the healing process seriously put me to the test. The mental aspect of this was nearly as difficult as the physical. Recovery has been slow; obviously too slow for someone like me. When the doctor cleared me for a return to normal activity and exercise (after three months), it was a fabulous day. That joy was short lived, as initially, walking for a short duration was painful, not easy, but necessary. Gradually, I began to jog again in April. My pace is still very slow, deliberate and only for a short distance; with plenty of walking in between. Pain, ice and elevation have been my constant companions. It’s been nearly five months since the incident and my healing continues. Rebuilding my fitness level has been a challenge, to say the least. I continue to be diligent, motivated and determined to regain my strength and endurance. At this stage in life, I know it’s going to take time; with focus on nutrition and exercise. My first test (physically and mentally) will come in about two weeks, when I visit Zion National Park for a Ragnar Trail race. My goal is to have fun, take my time, enjoy our team and not hurt myself. In July, I’ll head to Lake Tahoe, for another Ragnar Trail race. I have been excited for these races since I put the Zion and Tahoe teams together before I went to Florida. It’s no longer about how fast I can run. Now I focus my strength on enjoying the beauty of nature and bliss from creating memories of each experience.
I love to be outside, in nature, enjoying God’s creations. Our earth and universe are amazing and magical places. When it’s quiet, the silence and solitude are truly a calming and incredible force. The bliss I experience during these moments are remarkable and inspiring. During these moments of quiet reflection, I’ve discovered that the universe will always bring me just what I need. I’ve experienced a variety of activities that have created similar relief; weight lifting, yoga, cycling and meditation. Walking or sitting on the beach or in the mountains, bring sensations of bliss that fill my soul. There are times where the touch or hug from another individual can bring instant comfort and healing. These two simply connections create an energy transfer of joy, happiness, bliss and love. If you haven’t yet discovered what gives you what you need, I suggest finding a quiet place to sit in nature and reflect. Anytime I need answers or seek enlightenment to questions, I enjoy finding a place of solitude to let my mind and body relax. If you seek answers, you typically know what you want and already know the answer. Often times, our mind is cluttered with life issues or filled with anxiety, blocking a response. Quiet reflection works best to discover what you already know within. I urge you to go outside, enjoy nature and the beauty of God’s creation that surrounds us. Allow the magic to manifest within your soul. Follow your dreams. They know the way.
Please tune in and join me again next Sunday for more! The puzzle of life is always changing. Change can lead to amazing opportunities. Together, let’s be healthy and strong; mentally, physically and spiritually!
Thanks for your love and support! Embrace Life! Be sure to get outside and enjoy nature!
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