Earning Some Life

my brother @jeddis and me after 5 miles - 0:38:57

I aim to run 10 miles each week. I spread those miles out over 6 days of various workouts, and commit to different intensity and distance for each running session. I am always looking to keep the workout or run fresh somehow, though I'll be the first to admit getting stuck in a rut sometimes.

For example, today I ran just over 5 miles with my brother, Jed. We got the opportunity to run outside for once (the weather has been unpredictible in MN this year). It was the first time we ran the trails around Edina, and it brought a lot of life to my attention.

I felt my lungs expand, and my hamstrings strained up the hills. I felt nimble going across cracks, potholes, and ice on the paved trail. I felt the beating in my chest more acutely when I looked up at the setting sun. I felt alive.

Feeling alive, immediate, strong, at peace, complete with the world around you is an immense accomplishment when you think about it. All too often we look for something or someone to hand us that feeling. We want to feel calm, collected, centered, and content at almost all times.

My question to you is:

Why do we never suppose we have to earn life?