For as long as I can remember, these are the only real expectations that my parents have had of me. These two goals– which are just that, and not realized states – are the basis of what I consider to be wellness. To be well is to live in a way that prioritizes the happy and the healthy, without necessarily being both of these things all the time. The idea seems simple enough, but wellness in vivo can be complicated, contradictory, and outright exhausting. In my pursuit of well-being, it has been so very valuable for me to take a step back and reflect on the practices – some deliberate, others unintentional – that helps me to walk along the path towards wellness.
Actually, this path has been more about running than walking. One of the most important gifts in my life, running is paramount to my physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. It is my act of celebration after life’s biggest triumphs and my grounding rod during life’s greatest storms. It connects me deeply to the world outside and opens the door to my world within. And as someone who values simplicity, I think it is beautifully elemental.
Running is my most regular and intentional practice of wellness. I have always considered it to be an act of mindfulness but have recently made an effort to be more deliberate about this. Particularly, I am beginning to see the value in simply _noticing_ while I run. Noticing body and mind, as well as the many places where they are inseparable. Feeling the dull sting of cold air as it fills my lungs and witnessing my breath as it becomes visible with every exhale. Listening closely to the rhythmic cadence of my stride, finding comfort in its regularity. Pushing through the heaviness of my legs in the early morning and sensing the pull of muscle and bone as they coalesce into one (somewhat) fluid motion. When my mind wanders, nudging it back to the stride, the breath, and the steady movement of the world as it passes by. Asking it to suspend judgment and advising it to focus wholly on the present. Expressing gratitude for the immense privilege it is to move so freely.
Running is not just a means of becoming better; in some ways, it is a test of how well I have become. But this is a double-edged sword. Tests and nonjudgment do not pair well together and I try hard to resist my inclination to make running yet another arena where I worry about how I measure up against my past self and others. But it is this same attribute that makes running a check on my wellness and holds me accountable to my own well-being, which is so crucial in this busy life. I am hopeful that a more intentional and mindful approach to running – one that is rooted in gratitude – will inspire wellness in other spheres of my life, pushing me closer to happy and healthy with every stride.
You can also read: