What's Love got to do with it?

As awareness of what really is sinks deeper, the idea of love changes. As Alan Watts purportedly said: “If you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet, you’ll come to understand that you’re connected with everything.” 

So when I love myself, I love everything. (I can see your reaction to this as I type it, ye are a funny bunch!) I love myself enough to do just the things I love doing as much as possible.

  

Carrie Bradshaw agrees with me :)

I love running, writing, good food, traveling, speaking, connecting, guiding, listening to music, coaching, and dancing. So I run, write, eat, travel, speak, connect, facilitate, listen to music, coach and dance as often as I can.

I love myself enough to live a life that is destined for doing what I love and for contribution beyond the idea of myself. Learning to guide and facilitate that change in others.

Not change in the sense of better, richer, faster or more successful. Change to help others to love themselves and do more stuff they love.

So do you express your love for you? Do you do the things you love as often as you can? Do you know you could make a living doing these? A full Living ;) 

It is my premise that if more people reconnected to love, our world would become a different place to live in. Reconnected individuals who love themselves enough to do more of what is truly them. And in that way help others at truly being themselves.

So yes I really love myself. Because love is infectious. And I want it to spread. 

Patte xxx

Belleek Marathon Challenge - Flow lessons!

3 Nights, 4 Days, 2 Marathons, 10's of friends. That was last weekend in Ballina, Mayo. It was the 6th edition of the Belleek Marathon Challenge. This is a relatively small, yet very professionally organised annual running event. Organised by runners Daria Lubinska and Cezary Lubinski.

Wooden Medals and T-Shirt

Day 1. Arrived in Ballina via 2 bus journeys. Limerick-Galway and Galway-Ballina. Dinner in Dillon's Bar and hydration in Harrisons.

Day 2. 6 laps of 7 kilometers in Belleek Forest. Despite overnight heavy rain the paths and trails of the forest were in good shape and grip was found with ordinary Asics runners, even on the many steep inclines and descents. Ran the first 14 kilometers and then figured out I'm a tad out of shape after only running races this year and no training. The 'training' is actually fun running a few times a week and will be resumed as a result of this weekend. Not because of the out of shape feeling. Instead, it was a memory of the good feelings after each daily run that convinced my mind to start running more often again. Finished laps 3, 4, 5 & 6 to the Finish line in the excellent company of Derek Mackessy. Derek runs Ultra's and 100 milers for fun and it was great to share stories for a couple of hours :)

Here's a link to the Saturday start video from the organisers FB page. Saturday had 7k, Half and Full Marathon:
https://www.facebook.com/Belleektrailmarathon/videos/462341867727193/?t=4

That night about 15 of us came together for a meal in the Ballina Manor Hotel. The banter, stories, memories, and dreams were flowing way faster than any beverages and hours flew by. At one stage I looked around our table and guessed there were about 2,500 Marathons between us. It could have been more. What a privilege to be here.

Day 3. Opening loop of about 3 miles, followed by 2 loops of the road to Killala and the Greenway. This road has no single, solitary flat bit in it. You are either going up or downhill. The Greenway was a relief each time. Twisted my knee on a downhill after about 6 miles. Every step after that was uncomfortable and running was painful. Spent the entire 26.2 miles alone in open nature just occasionally sharing encouragements with passing runners on this out and back loop.

Every single step that day was pure bliss. I felt at home. At peace. Living from within. Being. Doing what I love.

Day 4. Bus trip back to Limerick with a big smile and aching feet. And a sense of awareness.

Running has always been my guide to the rest of my life. I type this on Wednesday, 3 days after that 2nd Marathon. And yet again this feeling has permeated everything I do.

Just being. Doing what I love. At peace. From within.

And everything is flowing. Without effort.

Have a free-flowing day!!

Patte xxx

It only took 2 questions.

'I desperately want to succeed', Carolann said when we first met. It was a warmish yet breezy day. Autumn felt far away even though it was just around the corner. The canal bank was bustling with dog walkers, cyclists, and joggers.

'I have been trying to establish my business, have been doing it all myself on a shoestring budget and now that I am finally starting to get some traction I somehow lack the energy to give it that extra push it needs. And I simply have to succeed, my financial situation needs me to make it work.'

There was exasperation in her voice. It was as if the words trembled when she spoke them. She continuously looked to the sky yearning for some guidance or a holy intervention. She was gesticulating with her hands and had stopped walking.

'What do I have to do to get the extra energy to make this work? I need your input, Patrick.'

She gazed straight into my eyes. 'Well, what have I missed?', she exclaimed looking for some immediate words of wisdom.

'Remind me please', I enquired, 'What was it that got you into this field?'

Her pupils widened, a smile appeared. She looked down to one side as if trying to go into the feeling from memory. A story emerged. She spoke fluently, with passion describing the seminal moments that gave her the reason she got into what she is doing Now.

'How often do you feel that way these days?', I asked.

Suddenly she stopped talking and walking. She just stood there for at least 2-3 minutes. Silently.

Then she spoke again. 'Thanks, I had forgotten all this in my busyness to get a business going. I know what to do now'. She smiled and we hugged.

Sometimes all we need is to go within ourselves. Because there are all the resources and tools and feeling that we require to be awesome.

Remember, you are complete. You are whole. You are Potential.