Run The Race

Two days before I realized the New York City marathon is this weekend, I re-visited a technique I used back around the late 1980s, where I’d write or type questions and wait for answers to flow through my fingers. Neale Donald Walsch had the idea to share his use of this technique, and the rest is history.

So, here I was in current time, typing my heartfelt questions, amazed at replies that made me think, smile, laugh, or brought tears to my eyes. When I typed, Why do I feel so impatient and frustrated, the response was, “Because you want to cross the Finish Line before you complete the race.”

Whatever this might mean for you, and does for me, it definitely reminds me how easy it is to shift my consciousness out of Now and move between the Past (Maybe I should have...) or the Future (What I want/need is...).

We’re advised by people In The Know to find a way to be grateful for the past, create what we desire by expressing gratitude in advance for whatever it is we wish, and live in the moment. All good advice. Show of hands: How many of you find it simple to stay fully present in the moment?

As I started to write this, it occurred that one way I can assist myself to do this is to immerse myself in appreciation for the moment I’m in. Rather than dwell on anything from the past and let it take up too much of my time and energy, I think that when flashbacks happen, I’ll say, “I appreciate how That got me to this moment,” then let it go. When images of how I’d like my future to look jump up and down for attention, I’ll pause and say, “I’d appreciate that,” and let it go, as well. Then, I’d like to remind myself that the moment I have more of is this one. I’m not going to attempt to deny or deride myself if my mind occasionally moves between past and future; but, making the most of the moment I have seems a good way to express appreciation and be here now.

I like to imagine that runners who participate in the upcoming marathon have glimpses of effective past training, but don’t linger there; have brief flashes of seeing themselves cross the Finish Line, but focus primarily on every moment of the race. I like the idea of them placing most of their attention on what’s underneath their feet, how their bodies feel, how they breathe, where the water bearers are positioned, and appreciation for the genuine encouragement of the people who stand on the sidewalks cheering. And, the scenery. Runners cross the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, a favorite for many New Yorkers. They run through sections of one of the most incredible cities in the world. I like to think they appreciate some of what they see along the way. If all they focus on is crossing the Finish Line, some could just as easily find a treadmill to run on.

Perhaps the next time you or I feel a bit impatient or frustrated about getting results or a resolution, we’ll remember that the path we travel between two points is ultimately more relevant than the desired outcome. The path is where we learn, grow, evolve, and master. The Finish Line is where we celebrate that we ran the race.