Monday, May 16, 2011

"It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone..."

One day a few weeks ago, while I ran on the treadmill, as I listened to deeply inspiring music and felt really happy to be running, I was struck by an idea. An idea that I thought was a prompting, but an idea that I put off expressing. I'm not sure why. But it keeps coming back to me, and I realize that if I don't express it, it'll keep knocking around in my mind until I'm thoroughly beat-up, inside-out.

I was visualizing the marathon. The end, specifically. I benefit greatly from visualizing, and I have an emotional response when I do. So here I am, running, near-tears with the joy of what I am imagining (finishing!), and it hits me: I need to share this joy.

Not just by writing about it.
Not just by telling people about it.

But by inviting you--yes, YOU--to do it, too.

I promise it is worth it.
I promise it is beneficial in countless ways.
I promise that the very process of training will change your life, and awaken you to your potential. Not just your physical potential, but your emotional and mental capacity to do incredible things. It is the perfect metaphor for life, proving that when we make smaller steps in the right direction, day after day, we are actually gradually creating something beautiful that we will see after all the hard work is done.

This morning, out of the blue, I imagined myself and Jenn finishing the marathon this year. Then I skipped ahead to 2012, and there was another person running with us. Then 2013, and there was yet another. And the idea had finally completed itself in my mind:

I want what I'm doing--and what thousands more will do in October here in Saint George--to be contagious.
Here's what I hear you say:
Oh, you're so good. I could never do that.
Maybe if I was in better shape, I could do that.
Maybe in a few years.
I secretly wish I could do that.

I'm telling you, I'm not doing anything you can't do if you want to! I started from ground zero, physically speaking, and I'm starting from ground zero again this year (blast consistency! It is my Achilles Heel!).

If you don't want to do a marathon, maybe it's something else you're afraid of. Something else you want to do, but feel you aren't able to do.
You are able. 

Maybe you feel you don't deserve it. Maybe you feel unable to reconcile yourself with the kind of person who would do that--whatever "that" may be. But the truth is, you are the kind of person who would do that. The kind of person who would conquer fear and do what frightens you the most, or what seems the most difficult.

I have your back. I'm cheering you on every step of the way. I know we forget what we're capable of. That's why I'm running again this year. To remember how it felt to do what looked impossible.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson

12 comments:

midRae said...

I want to do this with you, I want to do this with you so bad!

But I am so afraid, knee pain and damage. But you have inspired me to go talk to my doc and see if it is even feasable for me to think about jogging/running. I found a love for it, messed the knee up a little, had it fixed, got tendonitis and now I am afaid.

Whenever I pass someone out for their jog/run I want to cry. I really want run, just run, for the pure joy of it. It's time for me to get up and find out if I can instead of being afraid.

Thanks Rae and good luck.

Rae said...

Rae, I am proud of you!

Abby said...

What was it I said on the phone? You're not "all that, and a bag of chips"? We all are! Thanks for the reminder.

By the way, I think the quote is originally from Nelson Mandela.

Anna said...

Ummm, so here's where I confess a secret. I half want to just email you because I'm afraid to really say it out loud. I've wanted to do the St George Marathon for years. Being the first weekend in October, it always falls near my birthday, and my grandfather (after going to see his BIL finish) told me once that he saw people walking in the afternoon, taking so much longer than others- but they wanted to finish it. It's beautiful country. I want to do this. Next year, I turn 30, I want to do it next year. How AWESOME would that be?? But I'm not a runner. I have a bad back and bum ankles, I started training with the c25k program and hurt my knee. So I'm afraid. When I was in shape I could do a 5K in 30 minutes- on the elliptical. So I want to find a good yoga and pilates instructor/class/studio to keep me from getting to tight and injuring myself. And I want to run a 5K this summer. And if my body won't cooperate to run that marathon, I need a bike. Yep, I'm terrified. But if I have someone to run it with- then maybe I can commit and do it.

Rae said...

Anna, you can do it!! You won't be alone!

Sarah said...

I am ok being mediocre. :) But I will cheer you on!

Rae said...

For the record, Sarah, you are NOT in any way mediocre!! I think you excel in everything you choose.

Qait said...

YEAH!
So, I've always known I'd run a marathon ever since I learned what they are and found out that Pat (Liz's Pat) had run one. When I realized it was something people still do, not just the devoted and somewhat crazy messenger who did it first, I was hooked!
I'm working out every day so that I will have a quicker recovery when Scarlett's born, and I'll ease into my training sometime after.
I'm not afraid but a little bewildered as to how I start training (where do I run?!), but when I'm ready to get answers, I'll ask you questions!
I'm not ashamed of ground zero. :D You have to start somewhere, anyway!
I'm excited, Rae! I'm SO excited!

Qait said...

oh PS: I totally react/benefit from visualizing. It's like the real deal.
I make faces, I cry, I laugh, and I probably look like a lunatic.
:D

Kelly said...

Yay for the running endorsement! I totally agree with you. Running (especially long distance) changes you for the better. I absolutely, positutely believe it! The longer of a distance a person runs, the more esteem I have for them (you, Rae!). I would love to run the St. George marathon, but it might take a couple of years to get the right timing. :)
I love that you love running. It makes me so happy to see that particular fire in you!

Liz said...

So true, Rae! As we are liberated from our own fear our presence automatically liberates others. Simply reading this is liberating! Thank you! I love you!

Lara Neves said...

While the idea of a marathon still terrifies me, I have warmed up to the idea of doing a 5k, or maybe even a 10k. I've impressed myself completely with what I've done over the last few months, and I now know I can do it, when before I was sure I wouldn't ever do something like that. This post rang so true for me!