This year I started to run- a 10 km run, a 21 km run and finally a 12.5km run that I finished over the weekend. While my first two runs were exhilarating, on my third run I was deeply present to the moment in a different way- asking myself what am I wanting learn through this experience. This is what emerged for me...

On growing patience-

When I started to run, I already wanted to be at the finish line
But the truth was that I was at least 1.5 hrs  and 12.5 km away
I smiled to myself-
This is much like the other experiences in my life that I want to embody, in one go.
The thought made me restless, anxious, hopeless, bored...
Was I missing something here?

 As I ran through the bamboo grove
Runners in their journey going past, immersed in their pursuit
The only presence I became aware of is myself and my breath
The trail that went up and down, dancing with my body
The push and the pull as I counted every mile
Sweat tricking down my face, an ache somewhere in the recesses of my physical being
The beauty of a crisp winter morning and a foggy sun
Every milestone completed with pride and deep determination

Till at last I could hear the drums rolling at the finish line in the distance


I thought, through my growing excitement as I reached the end line
About  journeying-  from one place, time and  moment to another..
The journey... of a seed to a flower, of the earth going around the sun...
Never in a flash... always a transition...
Slow, painful, revealing, discovering, savouring, becoming, celebrating

How can I strengthen and cherish the patience in me
To stay with one moment a time...do what needs to be done now.. consistently... steadily...
How can I remind myself each day
That I am transforming , blossoming, being more of myself each day
How can I cherish and  celebrate my expanding boundaries each day

Crossing that finishing line
Was a gift I gave myself
The medal I got, had a message that made me smile-
'It was tough, I was tougher!'