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Run Fat Boy, Run

My apologies in advance to anyone who is offended by this title. But I’m sure you’ll get over it and here’s why. I watched a movie last night by this name. Pretty predictable, sometimes funny story of redemption set in London. The main character is not really fat per se (just a decent paunch), he’s just a slacker who has put his demons out of sight which essentially keeps him from being happy and living the life he wants.

I saw a great deal of my former self in this character and maybe a little residue still there in my current self. Y’all know by now I love stories of redemption and transformation. To me that’s why we’re “here”. Not to live like a rock, static and unchanging (sorry to you rocks out there), but living engaged, flowing and inquisitive and unafraid to shift a point of view or belief (sometimes seemingly as solid as stone).

Without giving away the plot for those of you about to put it at the top of your Netflix cue, a marathon is used as a metaphor for the main characters inability to finish anything. When he is tested he tends to run the other way. How many times have I done the same thing when faced with situations that are unpleasant or choices that no longer feel good? Lots of times, suffice to say. But I’m getting better at letting myself hit the wall so to speak and not feel like it’s insurmountable, or even wondering why I’m still hitting walls after all these years of self improvement. A wall is an opportunity.

So as I watched this movie I was struck by the constant give and take Life offers us. Sometimes it takes things from us and we are devastated. And sometimes a gift is bestowed in the form of a challenge. By accepting the challenge and the gift we get a chance to unveil the real present - a chance to know ourselves better, to bust through that wall and to see that what is on the other side is so much more powerful than the wall itself. With the faith that we have in Life, in ourselves, we get better at finding our stride and maintaining it. And when we don’t find our stride – like this week for me (sore back, sore shoulder, bad cold, and not at all into working) – we’re ok with the chance to say alright, I can deal with this right now. It’s not forever and it’s not the end of the world.

Like running a marathon, there will be moments that feel really difficult. Yet by putting one foot in front of the other the finish line is reached. I know, I know this sounds like pablum, but sometimes those simple truths are there for a reason – they make sense. This week has been tough for me. Yet if I listen to what my body is saying and really listen, then I’ll rest. I won’t get everything done I wanted to. I won’t be the Johnny-on-the-spot general contractor. I won’t ride my bicycle this week. Instead I might even sleep during the day. Oh well.

You know what? I’m still in the race. I’m just pausing. Taking stock and listening. And best of all I’m not running the other direction.

Ok I gotta say it again. Run fat boy, run.

Have a great Thursday. And enjoy the run!

J

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