Personal Commandments

Every once in a while, I like to make a list of things I like, would I like to do, places to see or in this case, what things I should be aware of on a daily basis. So, here they are.

1.There is no such thing as luck. Everything happens for a reason.

2. We all have our destiny, but we get to choose how we react to the events or the people we encounter during our lives.

3. Reincarnation? Yes

4. Acceptance equals happiness.

5. Desire equals suffering.

6. Nothing lasts forever.

7. Evolution does not equal decline. Even though you can't change chapters 1-5 of your life, chapter 6 can be enjoyed to its fullest because chapters 1-5 provide context to the present.

8. My personal goal is to make my life as simple as possible.

9. For myself, new experiences make me happy, not titles, money or fame.

10. Making someone else happy will make one a rich person.

So, what does this have to do with running?  Here are my thoughts.

1.There is no such thing as luck. Everything happens for a reason.
   
 On trail runs, I've tripped over roots or rocks and performed a not so graceful face plant. Bad luck?      No, fatigue resulted in my not lifting my feet high enough to clear the obstacle. It's not bad luck          that we encounter obstacles in our lives, obstacles are a part of life.


2. We all have our destiny, but we get to choose how we react to the events or the people we encounter during our lives.
   
After doing my fall on the trail, I chose how I reacted. The possibilities included staying on
the ground, getting up and using my bloody and sore leg as an alibi to slow down or to do
what I must to keep going. It's your choice.


3. Reincarnation? Yes

I am not so foolish to believe that my gifts for running began with my birth.
     

4. Acceptance equals happiness.

Every runner has lost a race, had a slow training run or been injured. Accepting these instances and finding joy in the pure act of running, the scenery or the people we are running is how we can accept a lost race or a slow training run. Acceptance of our injuries, both physical and emotional and enjoying the process of rehabilitation which is really another way of getting stronger by accepting our situation and getting happiness in the process.

5. Desire equals suffering.

Desire for ribbons or medals is in the end a cause of suffering. If you get that medal, soon, it will be in a box in your closet or your friends and competitors will stop praising you. If you don't get that medal, the desire for something you've "lost" will bring suffering for you and the people who care about you,

6. Nothing lasts forever.

As a high school runner, Jim Ryun ran a mile in less than 4 minutes. Later, he ran the mile in 3:51, setting a new world record. Very few people remember that record because its been replaced by another record. Even long term friendships or relationships do not last forever in the same state as they were in the beginning of that relationship. Its called evolution and enjoying each stage of your life or relationships is a key to happiness.

7. Evolution does not equal decline. Even though you can't change chapters 1-5 of your life, chapter 6 can be enjoyed to its fullest because chapters 1-5 provide context to the present.

Your child is no longer a cute toddler. Your child is an adult. Does that mean you should wish they had never grown up? Of course not. Accepting your child for who they are at this moment is a way to genuine happiness in your relationship with that child.

8. My personal goal is to make my life as simple as possible.

For me, this is my greatest challenge. Something I work on everyday. For others, it can mean not buying that 5th or 6th pair of their favorite running shoes for yourself. Maybe seek out someone who can't afford a new pair and get them some new shoes to run in.

9. For myself, new experiences make me happy, not titles, money or fame.

Seeing new places, trying new sports (learning to climb will be my birthday gift to myself in November) and meeting new people or seeing people I haven't seen in a long time are the things that make me happy.

10. Making someone else happy will make one a rich person.

Turning despair into hope, turning tears into a smile or listening to someone who has been ignored are true riches. Coaches do this all the time. Showing someone how to train, encouraging that runner when they are struggling through some intervals or when they don't see improvement in their racing results, Coaches do this on a daily basis. For non-coaches-pay the race fees for someone who can't afford it. Take that free shirt you get at the race and give it to one of the volunteers or better yet, a kid who might then be inspired to be a runner. That's a much better way to be rich than to have a big bank account.