say “cheese”!

Here is something I really cannot understand. Fellow runners who do not smile when we pass each other.  When I run, I feel fantastic! Okay, maybe not while I’m chugging up that hill, but generally I’m happy. And what makes me even happier is seeing other runners.

Running is a mind sport. It’s your mind that keeps you going all those kilometers. It’s what’s in your head (or what you tell yourself) that gets you up those hills, that gets you out the door and what makes you sign up for those races. Once your body is trained, it’s all in the mind.

So when I pass other runners it’s not a competition. There is no race (and even if it were, I would still smile). Endorphins are firing, the sun is shining and we’re lucky to be healthy. To be able to run! So I often wonder, what is up with people who don’t smile back? Could be they’re lost in thought, oblivious to their surroundings. Very possible and I often find myself lost in thought as well.

If you happen to be a runner, smile back when someone smiles. It feels good, its encouraging and above all, it says we’re in this together.

Meditation

I’ve always been drawn to meditation. I believe the merits of proper mediation can bring about positive change. In my efforts to start meditating I came across some useful tips I thought I would share…

Start with posture. Your posture must be very comfortable and allow you to stay perfectly still. Ideally, legs are crossed and fingers clasped. Close your eyes. Now if you can… stop the mind from thinking. For me, this is often the most difficult part. And finally, relax. Totally relax.

When we cross our legs and clasp our fingers it allows our energy circuits to flow. And since eyes are the doors to the mind, so should our eyes be closed. It requires my full concentration to perfectly relax. Relaxation is one of the most important aspects of meditation because when the body relaxes the mind can “travel”.

If this is all starting to sound a bit too hare krishna, remember that meditation is a mental journey. According to vibrantenergy, the mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts and the trick is not to go behind the thoughts. But rather cut the thought, and come back to the breath..

Always. Witness. The. Breath.

To witness the breath means allowing the natural inhalation (or exhalation) happen on it’s own. This also helps with the whole relaxation process. At this stage of meditation I’m usually done my session. Which begs a final question: How long do I meditate? The meditation guru suggests you meditate for as long as your physical age – if you are 25 you would meditate for 25 minutes.

Happy meditating  :)

The Importance of Caring

I set out in the blistering winter to run an errand. An avid walker I did not let the snow dissuade me from my walk. The weather was harsh with blowing wind and accumulating snow. As I trudged on, I caught sight of a gaunt elderly man. Sheltering himself from the elements, he sat shivering with a miserable look on his face. I thought about how difficult it must be – to be outside at this very moment. With the darkness pending and the cold unrelenting. I decided the very least I could do is bring this man a hot cup of coffee.

When I purchased the coffee, however, I could no longer find him. I searched along the street but alas he was nowhere to be found. In an attempt to salvage my good deed, I proceeded to offer the hot coffee to an outdoor construction worker, who politely declined. Plodding on toward home I made another attempt. Seeing a well-dressed, older man at the bus stop I asked if he’d like a warm cup of coffee while he waited. He also declined my “kind offer” and I begun to wonder if I looked like a nutcase, rather than a do-gooder.

My final attempt came when I fell into step with a nice, older man. We exchanged pleasantries at which time, before parting, I offered him the warm cup. What the heck!

Although the goal of this mission may have failed, it also served as a reminder of the importance of taking care of each other. If nothing else, than to remind the people who really need our help that we really do care.

“I don’t care for most things.”

Not quite over my what does it all mean phase (although I do sense the end is near) I am seeking solace in strong, opinionated women who also happen to be writers.

Having read and absorbed Elizabeth Gilbert’s novel on the subject of marriage (Committed), I took notice of a particular study called the Marriage Benefit Imbalance. Now while this raises much controversy, the imbalance is still a legitimate theory in sociological study. The study argues that women do not benefit from marriage as much as their male partners do. And while current research and discussions surrounding this topic are far more complex than what I’m touching upon, I do believe the work does have its merits.

Besides Gilbert, I recently found myself drawing from another witty and liberated writer, Dorothy Parker. In honor of Ms Parker, herewith are a few of my favorite quotes:

That would be a good thing for them to cut on my tombstone: Wherever she went, including here, it was against her better judgment.

Constant use had not worn ragged the fabric of their friendship.

Heterosexuality is not normal, it’s just common.

All I need is room enough to lay a hat and a few friends.

If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.

Take care of luxuries and the necessities will take care of themselves.

Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses.

Women and elephants never forget.

Thank You

In the spirit of the new year, I’d like to take a moment and reflect on all that we have. It is far too easy to become mired in the illusions of want and need, so I’ve listed a few things I’m grateful for…

I am grateful for disappointment and consequences. For without these we cannot learn and grow.

I am grateful for the chance to enjoy moments when we are at our most vulnerable. Realizing the importance of living through these moments so we can push ourselves to become stronger.

I am grateful to be cognizant. To be aware of myself and my thoughts, however unsettling, intense or afflicted as they may be.

I’m grateful to be here, to be living this life. If we allow it, life has many lessons to teach us each day.

And I’m grateful for personal absolution. For the ability to release myself from past mistakes and move forward into the future with hope and optimism.

Happy new year everybody..

Keeping Face in Wintertime

While the snowflakes fall and our world turns white, I’ve pondered the importance of keeping a happy face during the winter months. It’s amazing (and unfortunate) that our social skills shrink to zero in the blistery winter months.

In the summertime, passing a fellow pedestrian often results in a smile – sometimes a nod, and even an occasional pleasantry is exchanged. Not so in the wintertime.  While the outside world screams “Hibernate!” “Hibernate!”, I find it much more rewarding to embrace our wintertime.

Bundle up (dressing warm is key to wintertime happiness) and take notice of the beauty of the billowing snow. Wintertime has a way of teaching us to slow down, if we allow it to. Growing frustrated with the knee-deep snow and plunging temperature is easy. But what if we tried to see the good in it? Like taking the time to dress warmly, and watch the falling snow sparkle?

Enjoying the wintertime is beneficial to our well-being. Spread some winter joy this season, and the return will be well-worth the effort. Plus… the more we enjoy winter, the quicker she passes!