Running Away Every Day

I’ve been running a lot lately. At this point, my October marathon still seems distant enough that I’m not panicking, but I’ve found that lately my psyche can’t survive without my training schedule. Let’s face it, with all the weekly daily hourly chaos happening in our nation’s capitol – and resultant social media meltdown – there’s really been only one way to deal with it.

Running away.

Every day.

Seriously.

At least, temporarily.

The roads, byways, nature preserve and trails surrounding my home have become such a welcome respite!

Being outside, breathing fresh air, hearing birds chirping, seeing clouds floating by is calming and restorative. I even have moments [between the pain and panting] for some fleeting deep thoughts.

So, here’s what was “running” around my brain early this morning (dumb pun intended).

Life, Choices & Consequences

Our life is made up of a series of choices which we make from sunrise to sunset. Day after day. These choices choose our path, but we cannot often control the consequences of our choices, or the route of our path.

So, it is how we choose to react to those consequences which reveals our true character.

Being Consistent in our choices can either lead to success or destruction depending on the kind of choices and path we keep pursuing.

Ironically enough, our good choices usually put us on the most difficult path – or, the “Harder Right” – as Thomas S. Monson once counseled.

And, our poor choices are almost always the “Easier Wrong” – or, path of least resistance.

Two Examples come readily to mind

Physical Health: Those who consistently choose to get up every day to train their bodies with exercise, and then choose to make healthier food choices throughout the day are placing their physical health on a good path. One can logically anticipate positive consequences, and – in my case – have success with future tests of endurance.

Alternatively, those who consistently choose to not exercise, and to put harmful substances into their bodies are heading down a destructive physical path with unhappy consequences.

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Emotional Health: Those who consistently tell the truth and strive to treat others kindly are strengthening their soul, increasing their empathy and building their character. This is a path leading in the direction of inner peace, with positive consequences.However, those who consistently lie, cheat, and blame others for their problems are weakening their soul, tearing down relationships and destroying their reputation. They should not expect their path to lead to a positive or peaceful outcome.

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“I plead for greater consistency between our beliefs and actions. I take as my text the 13th article of faith.

“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things”

“…We do not seek a veneer painted on by a worldly brush but the pure, innate beauty that God has planted in our souls.”

– Gordon B. Hinckley, Conference – May 1998

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Aligning our beliefs to our actions – Consistently. Lots to ponder about that.

Meanwhile, don’t mind me as I keep “running away” every day. Or, at least keep trying. Trust me, getting up early in the morning, putting on my shoes and leaving the house is not natural for me! Building a daily exercise habit – whether it’s walking around the block or training for a marathon – can be completely daunting. At least it was for me, until I broke it all down into daily “bites”.  I take one day at a time. One mile at a time. One step at a time. I have a detailed training schedule that tells me what to do every day. I prepare for “resistance” by making it as easy as I possibly can for my brain! I lay out my running clothes the night before. I set two backup alarms to wake me up (just in case). I’ve wrangled Mr. Mo into getting up and running – most mornings – with me (never underestimate the power of the buddy system!!!).

Consistency is the Key. That’s all it takes, really. In running, and in life. The simple, constant “daily-duties-and-daily-bread” choices that will either make or break our path. – MoSop