A few weeks ago I completed the Couch-to-5K “learn to run” program. It took me all summer, but I did it. I’m amazed at the change it has brought about but I have to stay motivated… which is kind of hard to do when it’s cold and rainy outside. I have to admit, I now understand the existence of treadmills.
First, I need proper clothing. Second, I need to see a doctor about a puffer. I have cold-induced asthma and it’s uncomfortable to do anything brisk when it’s chilly outside.
I’ve been giving this running thing a whole lot of thought now that I’ve met my goals (more on that later) but for now I wanted to share with you one way I try to stay motivated: I look for the gifts.
Recently I’ve been thinking about a couple of people we’ve known who aren’t here with us anymore. People we loved will never see a sunset, take a deep breath of crisp air, watch the beauty of the changing seasons, or hug their kids. Those seemingly tiny and simple and mundane things suddenly take on a whole new meaning when I really think about it. I get to see and do those things regularly. Is this or is this not a terrible injustice to let these things go by unappreciated?
So, in deference to our loved ones who aren’t with us anymore, I look for the gifts.
As I’m jogging I’m thinking: what tiny gift will I receive today? I’ve seen fluffy white contrails slicing through the bluest of skies, I’ve run by freshly mown grass and cedar hedges (love the smell!), I’ve seen cute puppy dogs and acrobatic squirrels, I’ve seen heavy-headed roses growing tall in the most beautiful gardens, and once, I (literally) stumbled over a lost letter I then popped in the mailbox. Ha! I did someone a favour and they don’t even know it.
Right now I’m enjoying meandering pathways:
… and the yellow and blue:
The other day I found this:
It’s a different kind of gift. I mean, who knows what it was doing in the middle of the street, but I took it as a sign. The ace of spades is symbolic of a couple of things. This is from Wikipedia:
“The ace of spades (also known as the spadille) is, traditionally speaking, the highest card in the deck of playing cards, although the actual value of the card varies from game to game. In popular myth and folklore, it is also known as the “death card”.
It has some interesting connotations with war (if you read further along the Wiki entry) and yes, as far as I know, if you are having your cards read and you flip over an ace of spaces it symbolizes death. But happily (for me) the death apparently doesn’t have to be a literal one, it could be a metamorphosis, some kind of major change.
I’m not usually the kind of person who gives in to these kinds of things, but I like my ace. I’ve brought it with me when I run. Change is good. The person I am is stronger than ever.
