Today I the opportunity to notice how a difference in attitude can make all the difference. I had a nice 14 mile run this morning. It wasn't necessarily fast, slow, comfortable or difficult...just a nice couple of hours outdoors in one of the first nice days in a few weeks. After I was done, I took a quick shower and got dressed to go to Mass. While choosing an outfit, I was feeling happy that it is finally spring weather and all I had to do was grab a dress and sandals...no coat, tights, or anything. Hurrah! It might be a simple joy to enjoy getting dressed, but how many times have a woman's day been put into a tailspin by trying to find something to wear?!?
Mass this morning was a special celebration at St. Benedict's Monastery. It was the Jubilee celebration for 19 Sisters celebrating 60 years of profession and 2 who have been Sisters for 75 years. The Bishop presided over the Jubilee pointing out that the jubilarians have a combined 1300 years of service--that number is beyond comprehension. While the Mass and ceremony was relatively simple, the jubilarians exuded joy with their bright smiles and enthusiastic profession to continue their vows of stability, service and obedience to the Rule of St. Benedict and its values. One of the Sisters (likely in her mid 90's in age) even brought up the gifts. She uses a walker, but put the bread plate on the shelf of her walker and proudly processed up to the alter. Another played a flute solo, others did readings or distributed Communion. It was an invigorating hour to be able to celebrate the joyful day with the Sisters. After I left church, I headed to the mall...just finding a place to park can make a person feel joy-less. I noticed a few young women in pairs that gave me pause. They were so angry. One was coming out of the ladies' room with a friend and gesturing wildly to a friend and speaking in an angry tone to her friend about how she had been wronged by a family member all while wearing too much eye makeup and sipping on a Starbucks. Later in the parking lot, I saw a couple of other young ladies walking toward their car appearing very angry. Even though I was in my car and could not hear them, these two were obviously upset about something but didn't seem to be at one another. What were these people so angry about? I have absolutely no idea, but I did notice that these folks did not seem joyful at all and I couldn't wait to steer clear of them for fear of "catching" their vibe! Next I stopped at the quilt shop where they were having a "May the 4th Be With You" sale. Two different sales people commented on how much they liked my dress...the same one I was so happy to put on earlier this morning. I wonder if the dress was so nice or if my positive attitude about my dress made it that much better. It was from Duluth Trading Company but has been discontinued. I've had it for a while and own it in 2 colors. It's super comfortable, easy to clean and easy to wear. Finally, I went to the local running store to pick up a gift. The clerk there realized he had run with my son back in high school and inquired after him. He also shared his own joyful news that he'll be graduating from college on Friday and has a job lined up for the end of the month. Congratulations! Hmmm...what does all this attention to joy have to do with running? Well, a study showed that smiling while running is actually helpful. Even elite runners will attempt to smile throughout their races, even doing it on purpose because it makes perceived effort seem easier at the same pace. Thinking back to some of my best runs, I'd bet I was smiling through at least some of it and maybe a lot of it. After noticing people feeling happy or angry around town today doing a variety of things, I completely believe that positivity can be very helpful. I'll be trying to add smiling to my running regimen since it's simple, free and easy to do. I hope to see you on the run--we can smile at one another! Happy running--Missee
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AuthorMissee and Stephanie are two Minnesota sisters and moms who love to run. We are not experts in running, parenting or anything else, but we do have years of experiences that may be helpful or entertaining to others. Archives
May 2020
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