Alexandra, my three-year old great-niece, jumped in the waves as they slapped against the shore, sometimes even knocking her over. Alex held my hand tightly as the anticipation of the rolling force tossed her into the foam. We returned to the blanket to dry off, but almost immediately Alex was off and running along the shoreline, nonstop, her little legs carrying her swiftly across the sand. I said to myself, “This is good exercise for me,” as I shadowed her down the beach.
When I returned home, and thought about our beach run, it occurred to me that I missed something that Alex was experiencing: running with abandon. She didn’t have an exercise goal, she didn’t care how she looked or where she was going, and she selected her own winding path between waves and sand, stopping when a shell or cast-off shovel caught her eye. Alex employs no time restraints, thinking that the running should consist a certain percentage of her time on the beach. There is no time. Adults make everything purposeful, even if we have to invent the purpose.
I realize that we can also run with joy, propelled forward by our own energy. Forget the calorie counting, health benefits and anything else that gives direction to our actions. Just let loose and run joyfully–like a three year-old.
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Comments on: "Running with Abandon" (7)
Reaction of little girl in picture is simple but amazing
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I was so preoccupied with keeping up with Alex, it didn’t occur to me about her free spirited running . . . thanks for commenting. : )
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So true. Reminds me of the episode of “Friends” where Rachel gets Phoebe to go running with her and then is embarrassed by Phoebe’s “Running with Abandon” style.
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Hi Gary, Never saw that episode, but while writing the post I thought about “what would that look like if I ran with abandon” . . . I’m sure I’d look silly, but I guess that’s the point, not to care! K
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I thought the exact same thing!
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It is great what a young child will remind us to do. Thanks for sharing 😅
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Yes, always seem to get a fresh perspective spending time with children.
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