This morning Zippy and I went for a run on the trails. Trailrunning is great fun because it usually keeps my thoughts focused on the rocky, uneven terrain. My mantra is “Feet on the ground. Feet on the ground.” That helps keep me in the moment so I don’t hook a toe and fall on my face. However, today I struggled with the nasty voice in my head, telling me I was slow and tired and really-Tracy-you-should-just-walk-because-you’re-not-a-real-runner.
So I fought back with two new mantras.
The sky was blue, the temperature was a perfect 58 degrees, and the Western Meadowlarks were out in force, warbling their beautiful songs. There was no reason to feel anything other than pure joy and gratitude for my time out in the open space. Today’s mantras became “Beautiful day, beautiful day. Birds are singing. Birds are singing. Beautiful day, beautiful day. Birds are singing. Birds are singing.”
Once those went on repeat in my head, the nasty voice was nowhere to be heard.
Tracy Abell 
🙂 J was in DC this week and found a shirt for B that says, I run better than the government does.” I think you can adopt that as a running mantra, as well!
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HA! How are your daughters doing? Well, I hope. Happy days to all of you…..
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Those are some great mantras. I’ve never heard a Western Meadowlark, but you make me wish I had.
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Oh, try to find the song online. They don’t sound quite like the birds here, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. I call it liquid song.
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