Is there something you used to love to do, but never thought you could do again? Do you remember the way it made you feel? What if it were possible to re-capture just a tiny bit of that sensation, if you could reconnect with the feeling once again? How would your body feel and what difference might it make in your daily life?
Recently I got back to running. I used to run and train for half marathons. I confess to mostly loving the training – the long runs with a friend, checking out neighbourhoods, and being outdoors.
After my motorcycle accident five years ago (yes, I was driving, yes I survived and the bike did not) I struggled with the aftereffects of my injuries. My attempts to run were pathetic and discouraging. I thought I would never be able to run again.
This summer my neighbour and I were reminiscing about our previous running days and how much we loved to run. We decided to try a small amount of running and walking. We set what felt like a wildly ambitious goal of getting to a 5K distance this fall. It has taken several months, lots of stops and starts, some support from my health care team, but we made it! We can now run/walk around Lake Banook, a distance of about 5K.
I’m over the moon happy to be able to run a 5K. Running makes me feel lithe, vivacious and strong. It gives me energy and improves my mood tremendously. I love having a running partner and I love the feel of the shower and the taste of the hot coffee after. I never thought I would be able to run again, let alone do the 5K distance. Will I ever get back to training for a half marathon? Probably not, but that’s okay. I’m feeling like a runner and I’ve reconnected with that part of me that loves to run.
What if you were able to do a modified version of something you loved but thought you’d never be able to do again? Could you set a small goal and take it one loop at a time?
Wishing you success as you reconnect with something that brought you great pleasure. If you need some help reconnecting with your creativity, or getting started on your path to wellness I’d be happy to connect with you. Reach out to me by email, purchase one or both of my books, or sign up for my Heart Notes newsletter on the home page of my website.
