Running is my thing! Ask any of my friends; they will tell you I’m a runner.
I often get asked, “do you want to/ are you interested in running a 5K/ 10K/ half-marathon, full marathon?” My answer consistently is “no.” I don’t run to be a part of something or to compete for something. In fact, when people say to me “we should run together for fun” I am famous for saying, “yea, one day.” As you may be guessing one day never happens. I don’t make it happen.
I run for me. I run for my mind, my soul, and my body.
Running is my think time, my time to unwind and calm my mind. It’s the time I use to process events that have happened or conversations I have had. I get some of my best ideas when out on the paths. I’ve even written numerous blog posts in my head while running! The times when the weather has been bad, and I am unable to run, the energy gets too pent up. (Side note: I have found some indoor exercises I can do to release some energy, but they are not the same.) Running is my time of release, it’s part of why I don’t enjoy running with other people.
Running for me is a grounding mechanism for my soul. It’s time for me to reconnect with nature, feet hitting the pavement, just enjoying the weather that day whether it’s hot and humid, cold and windy or the perfect running temperatures, we get in the spring and fall.
When I say I run for my body, it’s partially the health factor of getting exercise to stay in shape, but the main part of it is that I feel when I am running that my body is able to realign and get back in sync with my mind and my soul. Most people don’t realize that when your mind, soul, and body are not connected that we as humans do not function at our highest level.
It’s time I take to disconnect from my phone and feeling the constant need to check texts, email, Facebook, and Instagram. It’s an hour that I make just for me with no interruptions in thought and nothing to distract myself.
The mind and body are capable of incredible things and when they are aligned with your soul. You possess the power to accomplish so much including the ability to heal yourself.
What do you do to reconnect your mind, soul, and body? Do you ever take the time to disconnect from your phone to think and be in the moment? If you don’t, do you think it would be worth it to find time to unplug? What are possible advantages of finding a couple of activities that center and ground you?
