I had one of those runs this morning that really reminded me why I love to run so much. I hit the boardwalk at 4:45 AM in an overcast, cool, Jersey Shore morning. I only saw one other person during my 5 mile trot. The waves were pretty big, there was a pretty stiff Northeast wind, and a light layer of fog covering the whole area.
Today I didn’t bring the iPod and I’m glad I didn’t. My run was so quiet and peaceful and I was able to clear my head and get my day started right. Most people would think I’m crazy for getting out of a warm bed at 4:30 to go run in the 42 degree and windy weather. The funny part is that I don’t have to do it. I’m not training for anything particularly grueling and nobody is making me run.
Then why do I do it? Because I get to.
Just like in our lives in general, we wake up every single day with the opportunity to make ourselves better. Every single today has the potential to be better than yesterday. We can learn, grow, develop new skills, meet new people, make new connections, make more money, educate others, and the list goes on and on.
Apply that idea to wellness and here’s what you get: an opportunity every single day to make ourselves healthier, fitter, and livelier. It’s all within our control. We have the choice every day. I love it.
Therefore I choose to run because I can. Many times during a run, I think about all the different types of people who aren’t able to run, whether for physical, mental, or other logistical reasons, and I remind myself how grateful I am for the opportunity.
Switching your paradigm from “I have to” to “I get to” is a powerful thing. Try it out…
Love this, Joe. I also try to remind myself regularly how privileged I am. I feel it’s a slap in the face to all those less privileged folks in the world if I don’t make the most of the opportunities I’ve been given and live my best life.
Keep on running.