Do you live the treadmill life?
The tok-tok-tok sound of treadmill runners in a gym is almost soothing. You know you are working hard and running long distances. The proof is displayed right in front of you.
Every runner seems to be going somewhere. They seem so purposeful. You can even see them competing with each other. Who runs faster? Who runs the most? Who is wearing the most expensive shoes? Except they don’t go anywhere. You can walk, jog, sprint or climb but for all the illusion of movement, running on a treadmill means you run on a narrow belt in the same place in a controlled environment. Like rodents scampering round and round in a hamster wheel.
“My dear, here we must run as fast as we can, just to stay in place. And if you wish to go anywhere you must run twice as fast as that.” – Lewis Carroll
Is that so bad? After all, you do get a workout. You do get healthier. Perhaps in the short un. Not in the long run, though. The same workout is ineffective if you want to get your best body. You need to vary workouts to keep different muscles alert and strong. You need to learn how to work with other machines and learn different movements. Eventually, you also understand that a workout need not be limited to indoors. You can get fabulous workouts by being active outdoors too.
If this holds good for physical workouts, imagine how this awareness can enhance your life. Imagine how rewarding it will be when you move away from the illusion of movement and step off your mental treadmill. The joy of moving to a new place instead of running where you are will motivate you to take more steps towards shaping life the way you want.
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”- Neale Donald Walsch
You can spend your life running on that treadmill because others are doing the same as long as you are fully aware that the game of life does not lend itself well to imitation. You are here to experience your own unique journey and it is up to you to make it as interesting as possible in ways that are most meaningful to you. How can you do that?
Real movement is easy to identify: it will result in positive changes in all areas of your life. Instead of duplicating the same scene in a different gym, it will take you to new places, force new learning on you, place you in fresh company, and above all, make you feel refreshed and alive. The bonus is that it will also make you physically stronger. You will also discover that life is best lived by embracing some uncertainty and moving past your own fears.
Is it an easy process? Like all good things, it takes effort and determination. It takes strength to walk away from what makes you comfortable – the cramped gym and that sneaker smell, your treadmill buddies running nowhere, and the comfort you get from the delusion of movement. It is in your hands to free yourself.
“I want to caution you against the idea that balance has to be a routine that looks the same week in and week out.” – Kevin Thoman
What’s your reward for all that effort? Imagine running at a leisurely pace with the wind in your hair. You run free without restricting your steps to a narrow running belt. You don’t have to stare at a screen or listen to music to distract yourself from the mundane act of running in the same place, sweating under artificial light.
Nature provides you with far better, healthier distractions – the blue sky, greenery and enough surprises along the way to keep you alert and curious. You have enough time to stop and smell the flowers, knowing that life is moving just the way you want it. Even if it doesn’t, so what? You are confident you can handle it. You run with a smile in your heart, laughing with the people you enjoy being with. And the scenery just keeps getting better. That’s the reward you get to enjoy every day of your life.
