Are You Running Towards Something Or Running Away?
It is human nature to be running away from something we don't want to feel or deal with...we all do it. This behavior has been around since the beginning of time. Whether it's a job, a person, a responsibility, a situation, a physical pain, an emotion and the list goes on.
Reading an article about running towards something in Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper turned on a light bulb for me. Research tells us that running towards something activates the reward center of the brain, floods our body with dopamine, creates excitement and motivation and moves us away from fear. Running towards something helps us move out of being stuck in emotions such as fear, depression and anxiety that are at an all time high these last few years. I became curious about what that would look like in my life.
For myself, losing my husband created a huge void in my life. A multitude of emotions as well as the disappearance of many of the plans and dreams for my future. While I've been contemplating what I now want to do with the rest of my life, quite honestly I don't have the big picture plans. I have been able to think about putting my time and energy into simple things, internal not external. Things that I could run towards, achieve, get excited about and allow me to move away from fear or anxiety.
My exploration showed me right now I am running towards myself...
My good health
Deepening spirituality
Noticing as well as experiencing the gratitude, joy, beauty and love that surrounds me
Being present in the moment not thinking about the past or the future to the best of my ability
I would like to invite you to join me in being curious about what you could run towards starting today.
Slipstream
It seems we tend to stay in the same groove (or is it a rut?) unless life intervenes and knocks us out of it. It's unfamiliar, not welcome, not easy, and scary, but it's our opportunity to try something new. Kudos to you for making lemonade from those lemons you were given; you're a beautiful example for others who may be in a similar experience. Great article!
Present Valley
Thank you. Yes life/reality has a way of doing that.
Evangel
I notice that children are always running toward things: people they love, the slide or swings at the park, the water's edge at the beach, the toys in any shop, the candy or ice cream cone. That's how I feel when I walk into an art supply store. So this week I'm running toward all the art supplies I put away a year ago when things got too busy. Thanks for this timely reminder. We should all be running toward our favorite things.
Present Valley
Woo hoo running towards something you love. That’s worth celebrating!
Bootstrap
You have me thinking... thanks!
Present Valley
You are so welcome.
Sanatana
Interesting way to look at human nature and how we run away from things instead of toward them. I've been also noticing something a little different...people running toward something; chasing wants and desires, and despite its attainment, running toward the next big thing. Then never truly being satisfied.
I wonder what would happened if we stopped running altogether? Just sat with ourselves and let Life runs to us? What would manifest before us?
I like the idea of pursuing good health and deepening our spirituality. Of daily expressing our gratitude and stop focusing on that (the future and the past) we can't control.
Present Valley
Good point.
I’m curious if here in the West we have the capacity to stop running
Well Street
The things you're running toward cast a bright light on the darkness of the void you're leaving behind.
Excitement, motivation, and moving away from fear sounds pretty fantastic, so I'll accept your invitation and put my running shoes on.
Present Valley
Thank you for joining me.