I don’t really practice mindfulness; I try, but I’m not always successful. I do have goals and I work to achieve those, and there’s an interesting tension between the two. How do you focus on goals and be mindful at the same time? This was my dilemma as today as I made a goal of running the 166 stairs in Oregon City ten times.
My fitness goals aside, I had quite an internal dialogue attempting to become more mindful during my run and less I-just-want-to-be-do
ne-with-this. On lap three, I became aware that I started to think, “I need to get this done. When will I get to lap 9.5?” And then I thought,” I
love this solitude, the quiet of running and contemplation. I love the physicality that it takes to climb the stairs. Why do I want it to be
over, when I really do enjoy the process? Because when I’m finished, I will just remember the accomplishment and not the process.”
Well, I really didn’t answer that question, other than acknowledging that I do enjoy the moments where I can be active, challenge
myself and do some good for my body and mind.
So, instead I started thinking about how grateful I was that I had legs to take me up the stairs. I saw a video on Facebook the other day where a Navy veteran, Taylor Morris, lost one arm, the other hand and both legs as an explosive ordinance disposal tech. He has demonstrated grit and perseverance, and I can’t even begin to imagine his process.
I started thinking about my heart and that I was glad that it could pump as hard and as fast as it could. I thought about my arms and how I appreciated how they could swing and help propel me forward. I also thought about how I love Oregon City and that it was peaceful on the stairs where there were few people, fresh air and lots of plants. That really helped me get through laps 6 and 7. Lap 8, still grateful, but my mind wanted to wander to “only two left to go.” Lap 9—easy peasey. One final climb until I can be done. Back to more positive thoughts–I’m appreciative of my body that let me complete these 1660 laps. And it was dry, no rain, no snow and a perfect 58 degrees. The last 20 steps, my legs feeling heavy, I am grateful for completion. Done.
There is tension between looking forward and pursing a goal versus the practice of enjoying the ride to the goal. It’s not so easy to switch. Sometimes you need to focus on the goal in order to see where you want to go. Sometimes, you need to enjoy the ride. I didn’t stop working towards the goal in order to appreciate the journey; I just chose to change what I was thinking about during the journey. It really didn’t go by faster, and I did enjoy the time more than I would have just hammering it out, wanting to be finished. I do feel quite peaceful as I’m writing this.
I encourage you to try changing your thoughts on your journey and let me know how it goes.