Today I was inspired to go for a run. My son Doug is back home and has been encouraging me to get back into the running habit. I used to run regularly but for a while now haven’t made time for it. Here on the south downs we are spoilt for choice when it comes to spectacular running routes. The beautiful Sussex countryside is just the perfect setting for a new running habit!

When I looked out of the window the weather looked a bit overcast but I am not one to be put off so easily! Poor weather simply adds a different colour to the challenge of the run.

We arrived at the bottom of the south downs, with the sun just having gone down behind some ominous clouds, full of anticipation of the journey ahead. I like this moment before the start of a run, it is full of promise, of inner discovery, clearing old patterns and engaging with new found limitless beliefs, of stretching beyond ones own expectations, of opening oneself up to the miracle of the present moment whilst under pressure and letting the future unfold without restraint.

We started up the hill, Doug striding ahead. It’s been a while since I regularly went running so I paced myself a little slower. It didn’t take long before he became a speck in the distance, running confidently ahead.

I realised how grateful I was to be inspired to run again. To rediscover my love of running and establish a new positive habit. Thank you Doug. I have found it empowering to realise again how much those around you can influence your life.

There are those who will keep you stuck where you are, keeping you in your self limiting position where nothing changes, they and you remain where you are. This is quite often an unconscious act (though not always) and not deliberate.

And there are those who bring out the best in you, who encourage you to stretch out of your comfort zone and explore new horizons, who embolden you to dig deeper and let go of self limiting patterns which are of no use to you and take on more empowering beliefs which allow a greater self awareness and discovery of who you really are at the very core. I have learned this through trial and error and am always so grateful  to those around me who also have a similar thirst for limitless inner discovery.

It is said that we become the average of the 5 people who we spend the most time with in our lives.

 

But just as it is important to notice the influence others are having in my life, one question that is often overlooked is what influence am I having on all the people around me? Am I taking responsibility for what I share? Am I holding people back and joining in with their limiting beliefs or allowing the people closest to me to stretch out of their comfort zone to discover new and empowering insights and beliefs that will propel them to a life with more inner freedom.

It has been interesting to find out that what we give out is often reciprocated in some way. So it can be life changing to take full responsibility of what one is giving out at every moment.

Doug and I had decided that we would go a bit further today and “do the steep hill!” These decisions are often made hastily and with much optimism!

As I was approaching the bottom of “the steep hill” both my body and mind began to question my hasty decision! Under stress or when physically very tired the mind will often go into overdrive and become all consuming. It will bring up all sorts of excuses why you should stop. It will bring up old painful memories that we thought were long buried! All the usual negative self talk that usually goes on without our awareness will come to the surface and confront you with force. No holds barred! I chuckled to myself saying, “Ah! More work to be done there I see!”. It is in these moments of self reflection that we can heal the wounds of the past in the present moment.

I remembered how when I was much younger this would be my normal way of being from day to day. This kind of experience over a long time can be completely self destroying both physically, mentally and emotionally. It destroys ones self confidence and self esteem relentlessly saps your energy reserves leaving you feeling exhausted and drained.

Just as I approached the hill I looked up and saw Doug waving energetically at me…”No Quitting Dad!” he shouted encouragingly…

He couldn’t have timed it better…

Just the right words I needed to hear…

Now buoyed with a new surge of determination I launched myself up “the steep hill” and fell into the meditation practice that has helped me so much over the years.

Focusing on the breath…noticing the thoughts going through my mind…letting them go…re-focusing on the breath.

I fell into a steady rhythm, a meditative step, where body, mind and breath were all working together…

I arrived at the top of the hill to be rewarded with a truly remarkable view. I joined Doug who was waiting for me halfway down and we both finished the run together.

I hope this will inspire you to stretch out way beyond your comfort zone and create a new positive habit.

To Your Success

Rob

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