 |
| Photo credit to Aubray Scott |
Life is a giant puzzle. Everything fits if you just let go and let it. I have always worried endlessly about what my life was "supposed to" look like. But guess what? I've finally realized I don't need to know. There really isn't a "supposed to" either. My only job while on this earth is to find my unique talents, passions and desires, stay open and follow them.
- Follow them to the ends of the earth.
- Follow them without giving up.
- Follow them without judgement.
- Follow them without worrying what others may think.
- Follow them without limiting myself to whether they "fit" who I think I am or the life I had envisioned for myself. Or the life others envision for me.
And that, in a nutshell, is faith.
I believe that for every unique passion we have there is a way to use it to help people and make a difference in the world. This is true whether you are a math whiz, you love to cook or if you love running like me.
I was drawn to running a couple years ago. I pursued it solely for myself. It started as a way to get healthy and fit. I told myself I wanted to be in the best shape of my life by the time I turned 40! Yea, I missed that goal :) But I kept going and I achieved it later on in my 40th year!
I pursued something I desired. I stuck with it. And the universe, or God, or whatever you want to call it, did it's thing. And through my pursuit of a simple desire I ended up gaining a strength and confidence I never had before. Running also brought me to another passion I had buried, writing. Running has carried me through some very difficult times, heart break, and grief. Running has taught me some invaluable lessons.
I never signed up for running as a way to achieve any of these things. I mean I wasn't all, Hey if I go out running I will eventually start writing a blog or a book. Hey maybe I will gain a new confidence and my life will finally start to make sense. Nope. Not how it happened.
And now my running can make a difference in someone else's life.
I Run for Michael www.whoirun4.com is a non profit group one of my friend's turned me on to. It is a Facebook page and website that matches runners up with children and adults with special needs that are unable to run.
“You can run for me anytime!” A simple phrase that sparked a movement.
We all have friends who say “run some for me” because they don’t WANT to run… what about those who physically CAN’T run? After an inspiration from a close friend who was battling bilateral hip dysplasia – Founder Tim Boyle found a whole new inspiration to run.
The mental and emotional encouragement for both runner and honorary runner is proving to be a whole new level of motivation and awareness. Runners are able to find a whole new sense of purpose in their running while sharing who they are running for and bringing awareness to diseases and disabilities of all types.
This opportunity came at the perfect time for me. I have been in need of some motivation to run through this winter. I Run for Michael will be that motivation. I cannot wait to meet my match!
So how does it work? You are matched with a kiddo that is unable to run and you post messages and photos on the facebook page to the child and his parents, tagging them in the message.
Running a race this weekend? Write your match child's name on your arm and post a picture of yourself crossing the finish line "with" him or her! The joy you will bring and gain from doing special things like this is immeasurable.
I am so grateful for the road that has led me here. I humbly hope that if you are reading this, I have inspired or encouraged you in some small way to trust yourself and pursue that whispering nagging passion or desire you have deep inside.
"I am my deepest desire"
* Thank you to the following puzzle pieces that landed me here...
MIM running leader that posted the Meditation series
Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra for holding the series
Tim Boyle, founder of, I Run for Michael, www.whoirun4.com
My friend that I recently reconnected with for seeing, "I Run for Michael" and thinking of me
No comments:
Post a Comment