Cutting a hole in the dark

OK, so sometimes sitting down to write this blog can really bog me down and become an energy sucker. Why?  Because the voices in my head really start to chattering about what I should write about, will I even know what to say, will anybody care and will it be any good. Yep, really makes me wanna sit down, be with my thoughts and write.

Well, I have had lots of things run through my head this week and this morning as I was running free through the hills and experiencing the dirt, the fresh smells of sage and grasses, the hills and their beautiful formations, it finally came to me.  It came as easy and gently as the breeze that accompanied us and both were refreshing. " It" is what I knew I would write about today.

Earlier in the week I was out running in the early hours of the morning which required a headlamp to see the way.  Oh, I love running to the light of a headlamp and haven't done so in a while and I found it refreshing and new again.

I enjoyed watching the dust particles in the lamp, the light bob with every step and revealing new things with every footfall. I remembered how eery it was to see glowing eyes from the fields I was running in and hoping they belonged to some nice kitty and not something that wanted to jump out and eat me. As I moved along the dirt path my ears were filled with bird songs, my nose with sweet morning air and my heart with my rediscovered courage to take steps in the dark.

That my friends is my message to you today.  I don't know about you but I like to have things planned out and planned out well before I take action. It's safer that way, right? I like to see the picture way out in front of me and have every step carefully thought out so I know exactly what I'm doing. I've never been a fan of falling down or failing.

However, I also know differently and that is not how my life actually works. I've had to learn this over and over again and I hope to actually start remembering it more and more. For me, I know it best to paint the picture or set the destination I desire to create way out there, and then...put on my head lamp and start "cutting a hole in the dark."  This was a phrase I learned when I started trail running and was buying my first headlamp, a marmot that the salesman said would "cut a hole in the dark."  I liked the sound of that and it has assisted me since that time many years ago.

Cutting a hole in the dark requires courage to make a plan, purchase the necessary items to assist with your success and find the people to guide you as you go. Then...start moving!  Like me, you know your destination/goal is out there...somewhere... and you start putting one foot in front of the other.  As you do so, your lamp cuts a hole to reveal the next steps that are important for you in that very moment. You are focused on what is right in front of you. I love this because I am not weighed down by the whole picture and all the steps that must be taken...just the few I can see in my headlamp.  I am required to be present...at all times!

When we face the darkness in this way it becomes easier to move  through it and before we know it we have reached our destination. And...if we're lucky, we may get to experience an Amazing sunrise upon arrival!  Yes, there will be moments when your mind will want to wander and wonder what is lurking in the bushes. You may wonder what might want to eat you. You will most likely fall down and even get scraped up. When this happens, stare down the glowing eyes (your thoughts), reassess your thinking, thank them for showing up, bring yourself back to the present moment and keep moving forward. If real obstacles appear in your light or you take a stumble, deal with them as they appear and then keep on keepin on.

I have had many headlamp moments both actual and metaphorically and I love what I have learned from each experience. It's a lesson I never get tired of learning and hope one day it just becomes my natural instinct.  I encourage you to put on your headlamps! Whatever your goals/desires are, start cutting holes in your dark places a little at a time until you reach them.

I look forward to hearing about and/or assisting you with your amazing headlamp adventures. Please contact me if you would like assistance with

cutting holes in your dark places.

Until Next Time...
Go BE Great!

Jennifer J. Saunders
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Reiki Energy Therapy
ButtinGear
Life Coach, Behavior Change Specialist
Everyday Superhero