Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us…
Hebrews 12:1
When runners reach the turning point on a racecourse, they have to pause briefly before they can go back in the opposite direction. So also when we wish to reverse the direction of our lives there must be a pause, or a death, to mark the end of one life and the beginning of another.
From the book On The Holy Spirit by Saint Basil, bishop
In yesterday’s Scripture and reading in The Office of the Readings in The Liturgy of the Hours, these two sections spoke to me, I believe, on the subject of running and life. It also seemed appropriate here for me as I’m Catholic and am celebrating Holy Week this week.
As a runner, I have not been persevering in running the race that lies before me. In fact, I haven’t been even running and barely walking. I’ve been ignoring that first part: “let us rid ourselves of every burden…” My burden: being a night owl and not getting up early in the morning to run. I get addicted to Facebook and Twitter, which I gave up for Lent, but then substitute them with another application called blip.fm (I will not provide the link lest you get trapped too, I say half-jokingly) and am up until all hours of the night. That is why this Motivation Monday is being written and published on a Wednesday.
On the subject of the “pause” of which Saint Basil speaks: As I approach 40, only three months away tomorrow, I have been set on pause career-wise for a few years now since my last full-time job. I also have been pause with my running, but I think it’s time for “a death, a time to mark the end of one life and the beginning of another.” To that end, late-night “blipping” (as it is called) ends today, tonight, with my bedtime set at 11 p.m.
A week ago or so, I set up a schedule, by which I have not been abiding. Sometimes it has to be altered, as things happen, but I believe it is a good framework from which to start.
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.
Hebrews 12:11-13
It’s time to pause, then keep on moving and keep the faith.
Next up today: Tuesday’s Meme Things at Just A (Reading) Fool featuring Weekly Geeks, followed by Midweek Review (review of the week in reading) here at an unfinished person and then concluding the day with WTF Wordless Wednesday at Unfinished Rambler.
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