Lessons in Exercise – The Present Moment (Part 1)

     I can’t say enough about the benefits exercise has on the body, mind and spirit.  To be in the woods hiking on a path can give such a sense of connection and peace.  It can be a way to still our minds, release our burdens and gain strength.  All things have the potential to teach us greater lessons, to be metaphors for life, and exercise is no exception.  The long wooded paths and the steep hills of Pennsylvania, which I have hiked, walked and run through over the years, have been a companion of sorts, teaching me about life and offering advice on how to live it fully.     
     We set out on a path with a goal in mind.  We want to get from here to there as quickly as possible.  Sometimes it’s this easy and sometimes not.  Sometimes, whether I like to admit it or not, my body is a little tired or there are bumps in the road.  I start to wish for easier terrain.  I start to wish things were different.  Why did I decide to do this any way? – (hahaha)  The long hill, the big one that I most dread, can at different points a long the way be arduous.  My legs set a slow but steady pace while my lungs work hard siphoning off as much oxygen as possible.  Over time, I have begun to realize that the way out is through.  Each step along the path is an important part of the whole. Maybe it’s time I stop resisting and begin accepting where I am.

     And so, to begin, I take a breath, open myself to the moment and observe things as they are.  I notice the sound of my sneakers striking the ground, the temperature and humidity of the day, the light, the shadows, the birds singing, the trees, and what I am feeling.  It’s here fully present in the moment, in the midst of all that is, that something changes.  A deep feeling of stillness and spaciousness comes over me.  I feel a sense of gratitude and connection.  In these moments it doesn’t feel quite as painful anymore.  The goal of where I would like to wind up becomes less of a concern as I enjoy this interesting new place I found.  

     We really only ever have this moment.  To understand this, in a deeper sense, is a gift.  And I for one am not sure that I ever remember this quite enough. If I did, maybe I would do more things with a lighter heart. Maybe I would really look at the world, at the people I love with all my senses.  Realizing it is only moments that make up our lives, changes our perspective on what is important. When I do remember, it is in those moments that life feels precious and alive.  I feel a deeper sense of connection to the world. I begin to see with clarity the sacredness and beauty inherent in all things.  
     We always have a choice in the moment to accept or resist, to love or fear.  When we find ourselves running up the long hills, lost in the woods somewhere, sweating it out, we can stop.  We can take a deep breath and let our bodies relax and open to the incredible richness of all that is.