What Matters Most: Fast or Safe?

I am always amazed at the wisdom I receive on my runs.  Perhaps because it draws me into the moment as does my meditation practice.  Or maybe because my running increases my breathing and we all know that what brings us focus and into the present is our breath.

Either way, today I reluctantly layered myself against the cold and went for a run.  The path that I run on was partially clear.  Approximately 1/2 half of the area was either snow packed, ice packed or melting snow so it was definitely not ideal running conditions.   I knew I had to be careful whether I liked it or not.

Of course, my preference is to run on clear paths so that I can be in control and focus on my speed, if I choose to do so.  But not today.  I knew I had to pay attention or I would have ended up slipping on the ice and potentially breaking something.

As my pace varied from my typical jog to almost walking and then to just barely walking, it occurred to me what matters most; or maybe I will say it occurred to me what needed to matter most!  My ego pushes me to always want to go faster and run harder.  That’s not a bad thing unless it ends up taking priority over my overall health and well being.  I realized how much importance I placed on running at a reasonable pace, because that would have me feeling productive and successful.

The icy path showed me what mattered most, which was to have a safe run.  Had I not run in these conditions, I would have never gained the insight that I needed not “solely” for my future running but for all areas of my life.  This “icy lesson” allowed me to see this as a metaphor for all the ways I want to move at a faster pace that may not be the most effective and healthy pace to take.

I eat fast.  I think fast.  I respond fast.  I walk fast.  When I want something done, I do it now.  I want the same from others.  And these fast choices result in impatience, frustration and aggravation.  What if, instead, I allowed myself to treat my life as if I were treading along an icy, snow packed path, where I had no other option then to move at the rate that would support my highest level of health and well being?

That would mean I would have to let of control.  I would have to realize that I cannot always set the pace of how life will unfold for me.  I would have to take that “next step” to universal trust and surrender to the path that awaits me.

By not having the option to run as fast as I wanted, by having to slow down and be cautious, the present moment offered me the opportunity to notice each step.  My senses were heightened as I listened to the way the snow made a crunchy sound with each step.  I noticed how the sun sparkled on the snow and ice.  I noticed the footprints and wondered who had run before me.  I noticed.  I became present and in those moments I was no longer attached to my pace.  I stopped checking my phone to see how far I had gone and the length of time that I had been running.  None of that mattered.  My choice to have a safe run cultivated in me a feeling of exhilaration as I breathed in the cold, clean air.

Safe trumped speed.

When I have enrollment conversations with my potential coaching clients I’m asked the same question from almost all of them.  “How long will it take me to achieve my vision?”  And once they become clients they will ask:  “I feel like I should be farther along.  Why can’t this go faster?”

Our society has somehow trained us to believe that the faster, the better.  The sooner you achieve, the more value you have.  Fast equals success.  We live our lives as if everything were a race.  What if instead, we could treat our lives as if we were going out for a run on an icy and snow packed trail?  What more could we experience?  How much more present and mindful could we be about the choices we are making?  What if, by slowing down, and being in the moment, we could notice each precious moment in our  internal world, our external world, and particularly in our relationships?

What would it take to defy our fast paced life, let go of feeling like we must keep up and/or do better than the next person, and trust that we are exactly where we need to be to have the fullest and richest experience that life has to offer….at any speed.

I am committed to reminding myself daily that I am always at choice to slow down, smell the roses and bask in the beauty of all of life.

I’m going to head out today and enjoy my safe run!

Peace out!