Just for the sake of it

When was the last time that you did something or said something that made someone else feel good just for the sake of it? I'm not talking about when you expected something back, but just when you did something good just because.

I was talking this morning with a training buddy after we both commented to a dude at the gym on how much weight he had lost over the past 6 weeks. I really think it’s important to share these sorts of comments with others (even strangers) and often do it when I’m out running or training. When I was at my heaviest and trying to shift kilos I know how hard it was and also how I lived for any sort of commendation or positive word from anyone really. We all value and need this sort of encouragement and after all you never know what someone is going through in their life at that point and how one positive statement or action could have such a great impact on them.

Some people are able to talk themselves up and that is how they obtain their motivation, but others need and really value those pep ups from others. It may sound idealistic, but surely more people would take up running if they didn’t feel self-conscious and if they were proud of their achievements. Since most of us tend towards the negative and are harder on ourselves than we need to be, it makes sense that we would mainly gather encouragement from external sources.

We all started somewhere so be kind to those trying and improving. Kindness should never be confused with weakness. Shared strength makes us all stronger.

Doing something for someone else need not cost money. A kind word or gesture of assistance is often worth more than a lottery win.

Running together (while spreading positive words to others), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Changing the world (and partners) one run at a time!

Running in a group of friends this morning we fell into conversation about relationships of runners with non runners and how this might affect a relationship. I was also sharing a  close friends recent revelation that any exterior of a man (I.e. Clothes, shoes etc) she could change, but that interior changes (around personality and the like) would be a little more tricky.

On hearing this story one of the other girls in our group mentioned that she had first hand experience of having changed one of her boyfriends personalities. Naturally she felt her handy work was for the better and that as a result he was now a better person overall.

There was also talk of the runner heading off early in the morning and leaving the non runner to wake up on their own even on the weekend.

With so many interesting topics broached on the run it is fascinating what one can learn from these group runs.

Running together (while sharing with friends on the run), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Mortality

I was reminded of mortality again today in a few ways. This morning I was talking to my running nun buddy from the gym. Each time we chat I'm amazed at how much I learn from her and it makes the gym session so much more enjoyable. She is unlike the stereotypical nun, but clearly devoted not only to God and serving humanity, but also surprisingly to her football team. We talk endlessly about her work around the world and the fact that many many people around the world don't reach their 30s due to high mortality rates. This chat put any problems I might be having into genuine perspective.

Secondly I was faced with a 70 year old bloke at the pool this afternoon. He looked amazing and always talks about making the most of his life each and every day. His wife recently passed on, and while he was clearly happy to have had so many years of marriage to her he wasn't sitting still now and waiting to die either. In his words there are too many challenges to face still in his life.  We talked about life love and the world around us and he summed it up by saying 'Sam keep training and running and living life to the full. If love follows good - if not at least you will have loved life'. True words indeed.

Maybe I will be the lone bloke in the nursing home driving everyone else crazy, but it won't be before I've lived a full life!

Running together (while living life not sitting still), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Seizing each opportunity to LIVE

This year has been all about taking on some major challenges (both athletically and in life) and truly LIVING!! The weekend was another of these as I posed for a calendar shoot. This was definitely something that I thought I’d never do in life, but have come through it I feel it was an extremely liberating and empowering experience for all involved and as a one in a life time opportunity, I could not really pass it up.

As I've said many times beforehand, life is so short and I only this weekend learned of some young folks that I knew passing in tragic circumstances. To really LIVE and grab each and every opportunity is something and I plan to continue to do on an ongoing basis.

Do something for yourself and something for someone else each day and life generally goes well.

Running together (while embracing every opportunity), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller