The Marathon

Just looking at me you might not be able to tell that I'm a marathon runner...

Yes, I am.  Every day I run, whether I like it or not.  Yet often times it doesn't seem like I'm getting anywhere.  

The race begins the moment I wake up.  No one is cheering me from the sidelines, saying "You can do it! Keep it up!"  No, the voices come from within, telling me to run harder and faster.  Faster and harder or the day will be wasted.  

Even though I often grow weary of this daily marathon, I keep running it.  I must value the track of efficiency, productivity, and performance.  I might even chalk this race up as noble, thinking I should be presented with a trophy.  But the race never ends. 

I look my opponent in the face frequently throughout the day and struggle to keep up. My opponent is steady and true and consistent, created to keep going.  No breaks or rests needed for my opponent. Each day reveals I can't win the race, but still I wake up the next day determined to take another try at this long-distance run.   

I'm racing.....TIME.

Honestly, I know it's humanly impossible to beat time in a race, but strangely I keep running as if I can.

The moment I wake up, my mind is strategizing how I can beat it this time.  Fit in my responsibilities as a mom, my duties at work, household tasks, unfinished projects...the list goes on. Sprinting here and there, it ends up being a never-ending marathon. 

Have you been there?

If so...what if we looked at time differently?  And looked at time not as something to race against, but to embrace as a companion and friend. 

On the bluff as a kid, time was my friend.  It was space that allowed me to explore and grow.  Each interaction, struggle, creative play, and conflict taught me about myself.  Boredom brought out imagination.  Family chores developed responsibility.  Out of busyness evolved organizational skills. There was no race to be won; just many lessons to be learned. Time molded me.

Time up on the Alaska bluff is a gift. I'm not a marathon runner there. I've never looked at it that way. Time provides room for long meals with family, late night pinochle games, deep conversations, and laughter. 

Is it how we look at time? Could it be that simple?

If we view time as an opponent, then we will spend our days racing against it.
If we view time as a gift, we will open it up with anticipation and eyes wide open.
If we view time as a companion, we will embrace the journey with peace.
If we view time as a valuable purpose, we will capture the lessons it reveals. 

Time can give us healthy boundaries.  Beginnings and endings. Time allows those who are grieving to heal. Time can be a precious gift to give.

Time is not our enemy. Time is not what robs us of joy.  Instead time offers us moments to "in-joy". Opportunities to learn, heal, and love. Space to grow. A place to be ALIVE!

Let's not miss what time has to offer us - the marathon can become a journey to enjoy!