I love it, I hate it!

While out on a little run this morning, I found myself hunching over as I ran against the cold and bitter wind. It was hurting my tender and oh so sensitive face, OK?!? Once I became aware of my posture and attitude, I laughed out loud at myself. What was I thinking? The sun was out (in Seattle! in February!) and the temperature wasn't even that bad—upper 30's.

I laughed because the slight burning sensation on my face reminded me of a time when I was on a climb with a mountaineering class I was in. It was on a ridge and we were very exposed. Visibility was maybe 20 feet. The steps in the snow from the climbers ahead were the only thing guiding me. The horizontal sleet was slicing the skin right off my face—at least that's what it felt like! I had no choice but to grin and bear it, I had to keep moving. I remember thinking, oh shit, what have I gotten myself into—this is hard, dangerous, and I hate it! But, the storm passed, the sun came out, and we were looking down on creation—on top of the world! This image put my current situation, if you want to call it that, in a new light. In an instant, I corrected my posture, inhaled the crisp air, and picked up my pace. It was exhilarating!

The simple act of changing our thoughts can give us the ability to power through things we don't want to do; things that are otherwise very good for us (like running). I recently bought a t-shirt at a local 5K my hubby ran. Across the front in big white letters it said, I LOVE RUNNING. Then, as if fading into the background, in more subtle, gray, letters said, I HATE RUNNING! This repeated two times. I almost didn't buy it because it had the word hate on it and I "hate" giving negative words the time of day! But, it made me smile. My husband saw me eyeing it (and smiling) and said, you should buy it. It served as a reminder to pick the stronger, more bold, and out front message: I love running! Smothering the other message that doesn't serve me. I like to replace the word running with whatever strikes me! Yes, I love the cold air on my face. I love it that I have strong legs to get me up the hill. I love running up this hill! I love the way my lungs are burning from the cold air! I love the sunshine on my face! I love the other runners! I love!

Affirming the positive, that's all I mean. It is powerful.

Exercise for the mind (and maybe the body depending on what goes in the blank!):

I love _________. Repeat often. That's it. Simple. Do it.