Stay close to trouble

Well, not exactly trouble in the bad or negative sense of the word. What I really mean is staying close to those activities that may cause tension, discomfort, and a general feeling of anxiety.

For instance, let’s consider running.

I like to stay close to running. I do this as part of my daily practice. I do this for physical health. I do this for mental well-being. I do this for so many more reasons, but one of the most significant reasons I do this is because of the tension it readily produces. When I run completely and fully, it can create a magical state of misery and euphoria simultaneously. Such an odd paradox to be sure, but when it happens, pure magic! It is in this state when interesting things happen, which in turn creates interesting downstream effects, which in turn sustains my practice of running, and so on…

Okay, so you may have heard about the runner’s high and such. I suppose it may be true, but it cannot compare to what running may do in the long term. It is what running does in the long run, its eventual downstream effects, that matter most.

What is an example of a downstream effect of running you might ask? It may vastly improve your attention. Seriously. Do you feel like you are lost in the noise of the modern world? Well, running can be an amazing filter to reduce this noise and bring your attention to the moment.

The point of life is not to have a tension-less state. Tension may serve as an important signal to focus attention on the salient aspects of whatever it is that is causing the tension. This way, you may converge on exactly what is creating the tension, and learn to accept it as an opportunity for growth.

The careful and strategic application of the right amount of tension may provide the attention needed for growth and progress. It may allow you to stop dividing your attentional resources on meaningless activities.

Wherever we hold our attention, this is where your energy flows. With running, as with life, it is best realized while moving forward. Not backward. You should focus your attention on the path immediately below you while orienting yourself in the right direction. Let the simplicity of running serve as a powerful reminder of this notion, and you will be on your way running into a life well lived.