A Runner’s Thoughts: “The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you.” (Unknown) Our journey of faith through life is never without the presence of God.
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A Runner’s Thoughts: “There are as many reasons for running as there are days in the year, years in my life. But mostly I run because I am an animal and a child, an artist and a saint. So, too, are you. Find your own play, your own self-renewing compulsion, and you will become the person you are meant to be.” (George Sheehan)
Yes, there are many reasons to run, walk or move through life another way. I run because I am a man of faith, created in the image and likeness of God, a Passionist, a priest, a human being who wants to be the best person I can be. I run because God is present in nature, in people, in the gift of a new day and if I am running I encounter all these things. I run because with each breathe there is hope, there is beauty and there is life. So as George Sheehan says above, “Find your own play, your own rewarding compulsion, and become the person you are meant to be.” In other words, run, walk, move through life another way, do something and become the person God has created you to be. A Runner’s Thoughts: “Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living. If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not demanding more from yourself - expanding and learning as you go - you're choosing a numb existence. You're denying yourself an extraordinary trip.” (Dean Karnazes)
A Runner's Thoughts: At first an ordeal and then an accomplishment, the daily run, [walk or movement through life another way,] becomes a staple, like bread, or wine... or air. (Benjamin Cheever, author and Runner's World contributor) We might also say that the daily run, walk or movement through life another way also becomes our prayer, our conversation with God each day! A Runner’s Thoughts: I often hear someone say I'm not a real runner. We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner. (Bart Yasso) Might we also say this about people of faith? It is easy to judge, but we never know what is in a person’s heart. With that said I have never met a fake person of faith!
A Runner’s Thoughts: “My philosophy on running is, I don't dwell on it, I do it.” (Joan Benoit Samuelson) My theology of running is to not to just think about God as I run but to bring God with me one my runs! The same can be said about walking and moving through life in other ways…
A Runner’s Thoughts: At first an ordeal and then an accomplishment, the daily run, walk or movement through life another way becomes a staple, like bread, or wine... or air. (Adapted from a quote by Benjamin Cheever, author and Runner's World contributor) We might also say that the daily run, walk or movement through life another way also becomes our prayer, our conversation with God each day!
A Runner’s Thoughts: As we run, walk or move through life another way today let us try to make our movement God-centered. In other words, let us make your run, walk or movement through life another way an action that honors God through the voices of nature. As we move let’s experience all the sounds of nature around us; the wind, the trees, the leaves. Let’s listen to the sounds of water if we wander near a creek, river or the ocean. Let’s be aware of the smells and scents of nature around us. Remember in the Psalms, the rivers clapped and the ocean roar in praise to God, so join in the chorus as you move today. Look, purposefully, for signs of God’s creation, offering praise. Become one among the many voices of creation to give praise as you run today! (Adapted from Roger Joslin)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “I run because if I didn’t, I’d be sluggish and glum and spend too much time on the couch. I run to breathe the fresh air. I run to explore. I run to escape the ordinary. I run…to savor the trip along the way. Life becomes a little more vibrant, a little more intense. I like that.” (Dean Karnazes) This way of looking at life can also be true if we walk or move through life another way…
A Runner’s Thoughts: “Running, much like life, [faith and the spiritual life], has its hills and valleys. On any given run, and particularly in most marathons, we come across easy stretches and seemingly impossible challenges. I have learned to just keep going. The tough moments never last, and the easy stretches are always a joy. The same is clearly true in life [in faith and the spiritual life], if we just keep going we'll get to that finish line with water, massages, and bananas! [And friendship with God!] (Main part of quote by Will Starr, Runner's World Challenger of the Week – I add what is in the brackets)
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Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P. "Preacher on the Run!"A thought from time to time about Running and Life! Archives
May 2023
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