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3 reasons why running is my meditation

"Clear your mind of can't"
- Samuel Johnson

Danni Rivas

Jul 19, 2018

University of San Francisco

114

https://pixabay.com/en/running-runner-long-distance-573762/

I know what you're thinking, "exercise is anything but meditation", but for me running is therapeutic. Growing up, I always dealt with body image because I was bullied for being "fat." For a really long time, I thought I was the ugliest person on the planet and that finding love was impossible for me. Crazy right? Once I discovered running, it completely changed my life for good. Here are the three reasons why running is my meditation.

It helps clear my thoughts

Gostica

During high school, I was figuring myself out such as sexuality, friendships, relationships, and my career. In my sophomore year I decided to join cross-country, but at the time my only sole purpose was to lose weight for my quince. Though as the season continued I actually started to like it; I observed how my teammates always came together at the end of a run and always told each other that they did a good job and always spread positivity. My mentality of losing weight completely changed, instead I noticed that when I run all I am focused is finishing strong because it would mean I have accomplished a challenge.

Have more energy throughout the day

MindValley

Who knew exercising can give you so much energy? First of all, the thought of running for 4.5 miles every single day after school just seemed cruel and absolutely exhausting. Not to say that every run was the best or never tiring. Of course it was!! Yet when I came to realize that after that long, tedious, and exhausting run, I wanted to go out to do some adventurous extravaganza and eat a lot of food. Others will probably just fall asleep, watch Netflix, and possibly regret joining a sport that only consists of running. For me, I started to feel happier, motivated to start the day and not let anything ruin it.

Makes me feel better about myself

Cable Car Couture

I can emphasize on the feeling after running. Dealing with body image my entire life has been the biggest obstacle to overcome. I had friends, counselors, parents, relatives, etc.tell me that loving myself is important. Easier said than done. Running has opened my eyes that I have a beautiful body including its imperfections. Yes I am proud of my belly. Yes I am proud of my double chin. Yes I am proud to eat those 10 pieces of chicken nuggets. YES I AM PROUD OF BEING ME.

To this day, running continues to be my passion and meditation. I have exercised in many other different ways in order to step out of my comfort zone such as the gym, volleyball, and boxing. Running will be forever my one true love and it will never change.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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3 reasons why running is my meditation

"Clear your mind of can't"- Samuel Johnson

It helps clear my thoughts

Have more energy throughout the day

Makes me feel better about myself

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May the odds be ever in your favor.

Phase One: The “I got this” phase

Phase Two: The “I have time” phase

Phase Three: The uncontrollable sobbing phase

Phase Four: The “help me, I've fallen and I can't get up” phase

Phase Five: The rejoicing phase

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

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"Clear your mind of can't"
- Samuel Johnson

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