Distance running is a means of self-compassion. It's a punishing activity - physically and emotionally and in that very punishment is the opportunity to practice compassion for the broken parts of body and soul. Kindness will carry us farther than relentless drive. Perhaps it seem contrary to the nature of extremes - yet we are looking further than mere sports. There is a moment in every effort of endurance where the will gives way to something larger. Distance fragments the ego and we are left with the wholeness of spirit exposed through cracks of self identity. Each act of self care, kindness and compassion exposes more of the whole. We need these acts - small gestures of love gifted to ourselves. In the presence of pain, fear, fatigue and depravation it's compassion that lights the way. Too often we wait for the final moments of long held suffering before we turn to love in an effort to heal. There is no need to wait. Begin each run with a commitment to nurturing a sense of self-compassion. By recognizing moments of doubt, fear and suffering we immediately gain access to their antidote. Offering hope to doubt, love to fear and kindness to suffering will open up a greater internal space in which we can take action and correct what we are able to and accept what we must. As our own light grows and shines brighter we lead the way for others to follow- self healing becomes the healing of the world. It all begins with kindness.
Peace,
Eric
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