Gratitude

There’s alot of things coming out of the decision at the weekend, some good, some challenging (isn’t all challenging good??).

Initially (and it’s still there to a degree) is the focus on what I’ve lost, my ability to run. As a runner, it’s my identity, who am I if I can’t run? Well, I’m still a runner, I’m just having a break to recover. There’s alot around identity here (and loss of), probably another post in itself.

Anyway, the topic of today is gratitude. I’ve learnt from previous experiences that focussing on what I don’t have/can’t have is enough to destroy me mentally. Pretty much everything is out of my control so I’ve learnt to focus on what I do have/can have. Can I change what I don’t/can’t have? No? What’s the point in giving it my attention. That also comes down to acceptance. So, I guess the first step is acceptance and then it’s a choice to be grateful.

It’s so easy to take everything for granted, health, security, shelter, water, freedom (that was challenged last year!), life…. the list is endless. It hurts to lose something, it’s important to acknowledge and feel that loss and that then allows me to move past it.

I have so much to be grateful for right now, the lack of running is pushing me to improve my swimming and cycling (funny that I’ve recently done a triathlon and these are my areas I need to improve upon!). It’s dangerous being a one trick pony! I’m obviously just talking about my exercise alternatives (I need that for my mental and physical health), but there’s also everything else in my life that I’m grateful for.

I’m also looking at persevering with meditation/relaxation. I struggle to stay still/switch off, hence my active lifesystyle.

Gratitude is a real struggle sometimes so I’d like to make it a dialy practice