The Law of Freedom

What appeals to me about running is that there is no good reason to do it. I mean, jogging a few miles for fitness’ sake…that makes sense. But 26.2 miles through mountains, rocks, tree roots, mud and nasty weather? There is absolutely no reason to do that. Yet, I want to do it. This is fun for me.

I love the physical challenge. It’s interesting to learn about the others in the race, too. In my latest event, the oldest competitor was 81 years old. Consider that! And there was a 10 year old, too, running with his dad and grinning from ear to ear. My new heroine is a 59 year old woman for whom this was her 365th marathon.

I enjoy the spiritual adventure running provides. Mind over matter. This is demonstrated in every event I enter. Guaranteed, there will be a fellow north of 350 pounds, with double knee braces and limping gait, who beats me by 90 minutes. Running allows me to ask and answer the question, “What am I capable of doing?”

What is it that you want that you don’t yet have? Often, we put what we want on the back burner and make room for what we should do. Or what others want us to do. Perhaps it’s time to pause and consider what you really want.

Dream. Allow yourself to dream. Let the desire inspire.
Act. Block out time on your calendar to do something that moves you in that direction.
Test. Consider the results of your actions. Celebrate the wins. Adjust when you hit a block.

I call this the Law of Freedom. This is how you, and I, can live the life we want.

For me, that means putting my runs on the calendar. That’s all it takes. It took a tiny bit of time to teach my family and friends and team members that my run isn’t optional. They get used to it. You can carve out time to do what you want and reap the results of an intended dream fueled by action. The dream, the intention, is senior to the action. Get really clear about what you want, and you may find a short path to making it happen.