KEEP THE PACE

I have been running a lot lately. Long runs. Usually with other people which helps the time pass, but this morning I went on my own. When I run alone I need music. It emotionally can take me away from all the thoughts, frustrations and problems I have running through my head. I run along the beach and I can get lost in beautiful music. Once I have that I can find my pace. Once I have my pace I can run and run. I come back with a clear mind and feel oddly refreshed and rejuvenated.

Today I started out and was having a frustrating time with my ipod. I couldn’t get sound out of one of my headphones and to make matters worse they kept popping out of my ears. I was so distracted by this that I could never get my pace. All I could think about was the music coming in and out, the earphone popping in and out and how much my knees hurt and in turn I never could find my own pace. Needless to say, the run ended earlier than I would have liked and I took no enjoyment out of it. In fact, I came back home more frustrated than when I left.

Sometimes I kind of feel this is how life becomes. We loose our pace. Once it is gone, it becomes harder to get it back and focus is gone. Lately, my pace has been lost. Little frustrations sideline me until I feel like I am walking through life struggling to catch my breath and keep up.

It's those times that I think I need to tune up my spiritual earpiece. I need to keep my spirituality from coming in and going out randomly. I need to avoid the worry of passing those around me and focus on my own personal pace. I cannot do this on my own. I have so many avenues in my life to help my spiritual hiccups. I forget this sometimes and my pride leads me to believe that I can solve all my problems internally. I become sidelined by painful setbacks as my pace becomes stagnant and erratic. It in turns affects the rest of my undertakings.

Although, the frustrations of a bad run today left me discouraged, it actually assisted me in realizing what is important. Sometimes we need to feel like we can ask for help even when it seems like something of little consequence. That tiny bit of assistance no matter how inconsequential it may seem can help us regain our pace and keep us there.