Web Theologian

Each morning there are two challenges facing me. One is the comfort challenge, that is my bed, spouse, and heated home are so comfortable that I don’t want to go for a run. The second is the darkness. The darkness can be managed a few ways. There is the gym which involves a level of abstraction to my working out but it is still fun to be a hamster on a wheel sometimes. Many mornings I’ll simply stick to streets that have lights. Also I running with a headlamp solves the problem an allows me to imagine I’m running from the government droids that are chasing me, often leading to an adventurous run. Then there are the mornings that I embrace the darkness.

Embracing the darkness changes the entire time running and serves as an analogy for life and work:

• The only option is to run slower
• Signals must be taken from the ground, your feet are the primary input
• Memory of the environment from pervious runs provides comfort
• Hearing is the primary way to prevent getting hit by cars
• After being in the dark even the littlest light is much brighter then before

This is a great way to mentally challenge yourself while running. Regarding work and life it is important to remember you will go through dark times, but managing them is possible.

Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better take things as they come along with patience and equanimity.

-Carl Jung