New Year's Resolutions

I typically don't do New Year's resolutions - they always seem destined to fail. I'm not sure that I've ever set a New Year's resolution and come up short, it's just never been my preferred time to make an ambitious commitment. I would rather take on something crazy at an unassuming time like Lent. I'm not Catholic and I don't really follow the proper rules, but it provides an excuse to do something unreasonable (yet good for you) like give up chocolate. That was a hard one. When there's goodies in the kitchen or office no one can give you a hard time if you've given it up for Lent.

New Year's on the other hand, has always seemed to me like the time to set a lofty goal that will never be realized. You know what I'm talking about - you hear friends' resolutions and say something to the effect of, "Wow, that's great. Good for you!" but are secretly taking bets as to when the momentum will come to a screeching halt. I typically go with mid-February. I will say that I've seen a few resolutions recently that have been fulfilled and are actually tempting - like a friend that ran or cycled one organized race in every month of 2011. If I do break and set a resolution, it will likely be something like this.

Instead of a resolution, I offer this - a poem by Tara Sophia Mohr that seemed particularly relevant right now. It was given to me in a book of poems as part of a half-marathon care package from someone that I have known for the majority of my life. I don't think either one of us has has yet realized the full impact or influence she has had on me, but I can say with certainty that running encouragement is among them.


Awakening


Buff off routine. Polish away habit. 
Sharpen your crystal mind with silent time.
Wake yourself by praying to the gods.


Surrender all of image. Let go of your outside eyes.
Be a foolish animal, gaping at the forest.
Be clumsy and too much wide-eyed.


Kill the thing that pulls back the reins,
and run.