Illusion(s)
Posted: September 4, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: biking, blogging, compassion, crossfit, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hedonic treadmill, hipster, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, lust, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, perspective, pilates, Tension, trail running, walking, whole foods, WOD, writing, yoga 5 CommentsBetween two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before-
Do you find it difficult to resist temptation related to physical endeavors?
Picture the difference between wanting to run a 2:30:00 marathon and not being able to finish one (runners are easily stirred up. If you like, pick something that resonates with you). Now imagine a plyo-band stretched between you and the “thing” you want to achieve, pulling evenly on you, drawing you close. We have a hard time staying in tension and resisting the pull. So we do things: we purchase the latest running gadgets, try new activities the day before an event to release the ever-growing tension.
The image I am trying to paint for you is that once we release the tension, we feel better.
However, out here in the real world? Reality is markedly different. Sure for a few fleeting moments we feel better … Then the morning of the event arrives and in a flash, second guessing creeps in, doubt shows up alongside you and we go back to feeling the same as before. Welcome my friends to the Hedonic Treadmill.
We relentlessly pursue things and experiences that we think will make us happier. But once we acquire them, we quickly return to our previous level of happiness. Then we start looking for the next latest and greatest “thing” … 5k-10k-1/2 Marathon-Marathon-Triathalon-Ultra events … The sweet new Felt carbon-fiber tri bike you’ve been lusting after? The first time you sling your leg over the top tube feels like good sex. You’ve dreamed of this moment all season long. Although, 128 miles later the bike feels like every other bike you’ve ever owned, saddle sore and all. What better time to start lusting after another new bike, another gadget. The Hedonic Treadmill patiently awaits your arrival …
Notes:
When I work with folks away from this rambling blogging thing, I lament, nauseously about building tension. Breathing, muscle activation and willpower? What? Willpower … Willpower is mastering tension not always getting what we want, when we want it, releasing the tension we have patiently building.
Creating tension is a beautiful and empowering process, embrace it and be well today.
Every Man for (Him) Self
Posted: September 3, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, compassion, exercise, fitness, freshly pressed, friends, happiness, health, hipster, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pride, whole foods, WOD, yoga 4 CommentsI could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine-
Has someone ever asked you the seemingly simple question after a recent race, sweaty session at the gym or while picking up your registration package before an event: “Does it really matter? This thing you are doing?”
There is no meaning in “life” unless we create it, and we make our meaning by seizing meaningful opportunities presented to us. If you are short on time this morning you may stop reading here. What follows is a broader discussion on creating meaning …
Here’s the thought-provoking question of the day: How can “creating” be held as a meaningful opportunity if we have already “seen through it”? Seldom do we embrace the moment or take pleasure in simply being, enjoying the moment. Our minds all over the damn place during the day and certainly all over the place the day of an event!
Allow me to introduce an idea into the pot that might actually prove successful; creating as a “spiritual activity.” A spiritual activity that rewards your creative side, working hard and training even harder, sweating, performing. As hard as these ideas are to comprehend to some and maybe this is you, they also provide joy and happiness.
I see and read about it far too often, folks who run in a local marathon and before they even slam their first step into the pavement … They are thinking about post race glory!
Notes:
Remember our discussion about hedonic and eudaimonic well-being a long time ago? Seeking and creating pleasure; having a deep sense of purpose and meaning in life?
Desire(s)
Posted: August 30, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, compassion, desire, family, fitness, freshly pressed, friends, happiness, health, hope, Intimate relationship, kindness, life, love, lululemon, lust, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, running, Self-Help, sex, Sexuality, simplicity, sun, Suprises, trail running, walking, whole foods, writing, yoga 10 CommentsFighting for peace is like screwing for virginity-
*Sunglasses, hard hats and earmuffs and required today … We are going to discuss sex and well-being – Yeah*
Too often in relationships, sex, running, yoga, cycling, whatever. We go with the flow of sailing a steady and predictable course. We believe “things” are going well, great even as long as there are no rough waters ahead: Injuries, setbacks and unnamed surprises … We think everything in between the sheets and life must be fine. We’re safe, comfortable, maybe we even think at times that safe and comfortable add up to happiness? Sadly, this is not the case.
Then one day and maybe this day is this morning, someone asks us what you really want out of life, what you really desire? Do you desire to punish your body only to leave your loved ones, wanting?
Embracing vulnerability, I am going to share a list, a list of what I desire – feel free to add to this list in the comments below or share them with a loved one later, either way, only you know what you really want.
A day of not being in pain of some sort or another …
A hand on my lower back and knee that magically heals me …
A gentle hug(s) that last forever …
A smile that makes me smile …
A hand that reaches across to mine during a drive, to take mine …
Notes:
“What the hell is the point of this post before a long holiday weekend, seriously?”
Creating space for yourself to identify what you want, in “whatever” … yourself, your running program, your relationship(s)? Is pretty cool! Gently move closer to a place that feels right, that nourishes your body and spirit rather than depleting it.
Be well this weekend and please take care.
Bon Courage
Posted: August 29, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, compassion, exercise, family, fitness, friends, happiness, health, hope, jogging, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, Poem, Poetry, Prose, running, trail running, walking, whole foods, WOD, writting, yoga 5 Comments…
Why are the woods so alluring? A forest appears
to a young girl one morning as she combs
the dreams out of her hair. The trees rustle
and whisper, shimmer and hiss. The forest
opens and closes, a door loose on its hinges,
banging in a strong wind. Everything in the dim
kitchen: the basin, the jug, the skillet, the churn,
snickers scornfully. In this way a maiden
is driven toward the dangers of a forest,
but the forest is our subject, not this young girl.
She’s glad to lie down with trees towering all around.
A certain euphoria sets in. She feels molecular,
bedeviled, senses someone gently pulling her hair,
tingles with kisses she won’t receive for years.
Three felled trees, a sort of chorus, narrate
her thoughts, or rather channel theirs through her,
or rather subject her to their peculiar verbal
restlessness … our deepening need for non-being intones
the largest and most decayed tree, mid-sentence.
I’m not one of you squeaks the shattered sapling,
blackened by lightning. Their words become metallic
spangles shivering the air. Will I forget the way home?
the third blurts. Why do I feel like I’m hiding in a giant’s nostril?
the oldest prone pine wants to know. Are we being freed
from matter? the sapling asks. Insects are well-intentioned,
offers the third tree, by way of consolation. Will it grow
impossible to think a thought through to its end? gasps the sapling,
adding in a panicky voice, I’m becoming spongy! The girl
feels her hands attach to some distant body. She rises
to leave, relieved these trees are not talking about her.
Thank (Y)ou
Posted: August 28, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, freshly pressed, friends, happiness, hope, life, love, passion, Thank you readers of CultFit 6 CommentsLet us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom-
Those of you reading these heartfelt words, in this present moment … Thank you for your continued support of CultFit!
CultFit 