Sunday Snapshot: Going Through

I often write about the Presidio because its winding trails, arresting views, and quiet vastness are full of inspiration and perspective. I came across this freshly carved tree stump the other day while out for a quick hike and dopamine shot of nature. It reminded me of a line from a novel where the main character recalled her mother's advice that when you can't figure out how to get around something you just have to go through it. For the life of me I can't remember what book it was, but the line stuck with me.

I sometimes fight things that seem hard or even try to avoid them all together - attempting to get around whatever it may be that's in my way. I recently found myself playing this fighting game at the beginning of a half marathon through the picture-perfect, hilly trails of the Marin Headlands. The first two miles of the trail were straight up hill often times with loose gravel, occasionally with stairs, all the time grueling. I had to walk to catch my breath before even hitting the second mile. My thoughts went something like this, "This sucks. I should have looked at the course map more closely. Are we running all the way to the top of Mt Tam? How is that chick still running? She's going to burn out at mile three. I'm going to burn out at mile three if this trail continues straight up. This sucks."

Then I caught myself in that ugly, downward spiral of thoughts and realized that they would do me no good. There was no way around this situation. If I was going to finish the race (and I was going to finish the race), I had to go through the experience and up the hill. I looked around at the beauty that surrounded me, changed my attitude, and relaxed into my pace. By the time I arrived at the water station at mile five, I was all smiles, chatting with the volunteers handing out water, and happily eating my Gu. The race ended up being a ton of fun with some fast downhill after all that climbing. I just had to keep going through the tough part with a sense of lightness and patience.

Other times we may need to blast through with courage and strength when we can't get around, but I'm starting to realize that mindful acceptance and gratitude is the key for living this crazy life with a little more grace and a lot more color.