I dream in marigold

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Writing, Running, Music and God... how they all mix together in my life.

Every once in awhile, I think it is important to stop, sit down, take a breath and reflect on where you are in your life. Everyone does this differently. Some people will take a yoga class, meditate, go to church, journal, run, write, blog, talk with friends or God or exercise. During reflection, we are able to process and make sense of things that have happened to us. Hopefully, in these times of slowing down, we are better able to see where a lesson was revealed to us, and we are able to take this new knowledge and apply to our future.

I am an avid writer. Wait a second though, I'm not a skilled or talented writer and I probably never will be. I just don't think that is a gift I possess. That's okay with me. However, I love to write because it helps me clear my head and organize my thoughts. Maybe I am too analytical (definitely possible), but I can say that write every. single. day.

Sitting down with a cup of coffee, my journal, maybe some music and my Bible is essential to me. Sometimes I have major realizations when I write, and sometimes I am just writing a daily "to-do" list. Either way, writing is beneficial to me and I will probably never stop doing it.

Along with writing, I have developed a love for running over the past 10 years that has in a lot of ways, changed my life. I know running is not for everyone and I don't push people to run who truly don't enjoy it. For me when I run, (this is may sound weird) I can feel my brain compartmentalizing my thoughts in a completely new yet, natural way. Running is not torture to me, it's meditative. Also, music is a huge love in my life. Running allows me to hear new songs, follow the rhythm of the music, and even choreograph dances in my head!

I was telling my mom this, this morning, but I think running is God's way of calling me back to Him. Inevitably, at some point during every run, I always end up thinking about God. There are a lot of bible verses about endurance, perseverance and running to win the "prize", the "prize" being Jesus. Here is an example:

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:12-13

I recently read a book called, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. This was not a book about running, but a book about Christian principles. To me, running is a metaphor for the Christian life. When you are running, it is a long obedience in the same direction, just like our faith in God should be.