Alrighty –
I know I’ve been writing a lot about running lately, so I promise this will be my last one (maybe). But I only do it because I think there are parallels.
Parallels, yes – how to do life with style. How to face the challenges this existence will throw at you (never if, always when), and because you will also choose to challenge yourself. You will choose to have a family or change career or study for a degree or set up your own business or accept some mad physical challenge. Maybe all these things, at the same time, and choose to get a puppy too.
Because, why not?
I ran for 16 hours on the weekend, over some pretty insane terrain. Because I’m still in toddler mode (i.e., survival – food, drink, sleep, toilet) and can’t go further yet, I have only two reflections on how to do difficult things. May they help you face what you’re facing, or will face.
1. Awareness is key
It’s not about your state of mind. Because if you listen to your mind, you’re in for a rollercoaster.
Why? Because your mind goes with the energy. Sometimes you’re flying and on top of the world, and all of a sudden you’re crashed and at the bottom. Because it follows these natural flows of up and down, your mind is not your friend. It’s not reliable information.
You don’t really need to do anything about it, it’s all weather. i.e., when it’s bad, just shrug your shoulders and shelter.
Shelter?
Every time it got tough, I was asleep. Not asleep, snoozing asleep, but asleep to inner awareness and presence. I was thinking about a future checkpoint, thinking about how hard the task was, thinking about the bottom of a steep descent. I wasn’t in the precise moment that was happening – and I was choosing to focus on what I didn’t like.
Becoming aware again didn’t fix a single thing. Like my feet still hurt, a lot, but awareness cocooned – maybe compartmentalised – in that the legs were over there and not the centre of everything. I stopped telling myself how hard it was and just got on with the job.
Awareness meant the stuff became simply facts and not the defining story.
And then the energy would change again. No down ever lasts forever, and all of a sudden you could fly again. Nothing to do with me. It’s just weather. Don’t get carried away by it.
2. Good people are good for you
The lift someone else could give was palpable. I could feel it. A simple, “looking good, you’re doing great, keep it up” somehow transfused something fine into you. It gave me a shot of Good right to the soul. A tangible, real boost, immediately.
And every single person was encouraging. Every single runner. They knew it was hard and because of that they wanted, maybe needed, to lift their chins and send some good your way. Incredible. Good people are really good for you on a level I never appreciated before.
So – make the most of those kind people you have – you do! – and attempt to be one yourself. It may be the most important lesson in life. I so want to be more encouraging and supportive, however I can.
That’s me. Thank you for indulging me on this, hopefully it’s useful to you.
There’s something about sharing our story that is very beneficial. Going to the far out places and bringing home something to share. When we don’t share, I think we clog up somehow, and problems can begin.
I think a lot of trauma, a lot of intense experiences – of all varieties and scales (don’t downgrade yours) – are transformed by telling the story about it.
Tell your story. And ask good questions to help others tell theirs.
That’s me. You’re amazing. Keep it up.
Go well,
Arjuna
P.S.
You know it – and I’m only putting this in here, not because I want to sell you something on that level, but just because having an inner practice for my outer living has given me an incredible amount.
I know some of you are looking for something else. A way forward, a means, a practice, a thing to help you be that best version.
If you’re looking, maybe this will help.
I’m doing three more Ascension meditation courses this year. Next one is July 4-6 (7 p.m. start).
If you’re interested, get in touch and I’d love to chat through what it might bring to you and your life.
Let me know if I can help in that way, or any way. Talk soon.