Opportunity

Let's try this blogging thing again...almost 24 months later!

“We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.”  This was a quote the other day on my iGoogle page.  How do I handle opportunities that come my way, but involve a great deal of effort (usually emotional) on my part to take advantage of them? I can’t truthfully say that I always put forth 110% to do what I need to do to make the most of good fortune, but I can say that I try to practice it everyday.

It’s been about eight weeks since I was forced to stop running because of a back injury that I ignored for oh, nine months or so.  Chronic pain in my left glute and hamstring with every step was something I learned to deal with, although it drained nearly all of the joy out of my daily runs, but it was the eventual numbness in my left heel while just standing or sitting that got my attention.  Reluctantly, I dropped out of the marathon that I was scheduled to run next Saturday and committed to a regimen of physical therapy, the weekly swipe of my credit card, and a promise not to run or bike. I was even able to drag myself onto the dreaded elliptical in a desperate effort to keep some of my fitness. Physically, I’m doing better, although there is still work to be done on some areas of referred pain from my back.

But mentally…I’ve missed my runs.  Running does bring me peace, above all else.  It’s a chance to be alone with my thoughts; away from Facebook and the hectic life I lead.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m a firm believer that idle hands are the devil’s workshop and I cram as much into my long waking hours as possible.  I even thrive on it.  But running gives me the chance to think about those opportunities that are laid out before me and work out the things in my head that cause me to furrow my brow during the day.   I’ve gotten along just fine in the last few weeks of being a “good girl” as my PT says, but there’s been something missing.  As someone who hates to sit still, I’ve realized that my time of reflection during my runs makes me feel more settled. When I’m more at peace on the inside, I look at the world differently—I judge less and notice things around me.  I have time to emerge from my own thoughts and pay attention to other people, the color of the sky, or the speed limit.

It’s in these moments that I find opportunity and have the energy to face them with enthusiasm:  The opportunity to learn something from someone. The opportunity to make a connection with another person.  The opportunity to stop and notice how beautiful the moon is when it’s low on the horizon. The opportunity to slow down, wrap my arms around my kids and tell them that I love them.  Each new day, and every moment really, is an opportunity to get it right.