Don’t you just love it when you can really feel your mood (good or bad) and your physical body responds to counteract it? Oh the power of the subconscious mind!
Look at that golden beauty, twice – yesterday’s run (not so good but the scenery was ✨)
I just did a fast 5k Sunday run, and when looking back at my stats the fastest part of the run was at the base of the hill, slightly surprising considering there are some smooth flats, but it occurred exactly when I needed a rocket boost. A sub 5k per minute pace too, yessss! I took on the challenge good and proper and got myself to the top, every time. (Well, except the last lap, because quite frankly I had overcome the challenge four times and I was tired!)
I needed that today. I really did. My mood has been off of late. I’ve been at the bottom of the hill. Trying to climb it, getting halfway and then either being pushed down or sliding down exhausted. It’s just life stuff. Nothing terribly bad, nothing really that bad at all (when reflecting in a quiet moment), but nonetheless, day to day it is relentless and tiring and I’m not really being the person who I want to be. There are some challenging work issues, some challenging kids (well, kids just being kids I guess), tugs on the heart strings as I miss my family far away, mid-winter darkness, low iron levels, and hormones. You see, nothing bad. What’s my problem?!?
I think it’s my brain. I’m an over-thinker. Thoughts always whizzing around – this way, that way, on top of others, going back to pick up something forgotten, changing direction – it’s like an ants nest in there sometimes!
When I run I’m still thinking, thinking too much, but it is at least more focused. After my power boosts up the hill I feel amazing. I feel empowered. And I have some clarity. Those other life things have not changed, but I have changed – in just 25mins. I am the only one who can change. I’m in control after all. I am stripes!
You know, I think why I like stripes so much is because the life we live is not stripes. It’s random, it’s twisty, it sometimes cracks or is a tangled mess. Stripes offer a reprieve – order, neat, contained, ease – you know what you get…and it keeps on going! Somewhat like ants above ground, following the track, orderly, strong. This is what I want to be. Not an ant 🐜, but more in control. It’s down to me. Only down to me. And I can do it, but not always at a sub-5 pace and hopefully not always uphill.
Love Stripes & Trees
Today’s moody palm
Stripes & Trees 