“Why do people do such things?” we ask, disturbed by the notion that someone could be so unhappy as to take their own life.
On another occasion, we contemplate the big picture. In our world there are nine hundred million people who go hungry daily, and two billion people who are malnourished. There is war. There is genocide. Innocents are hurt or destroyed. A loved one suffers from disease or distress….
How do we not get depressed by the world we live in?
Contemplating the world situation can be overwhelming, and many people in the real world have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning, especially if they might be facing personal problems, health issues, family or possibly financial problems.
How does one cope with the enormity of it all, and get through these numbing times?
Religion helps many people to cope. Through religion, a person can learn to break down and compartmentalize an overwhelming issue and re-package it into a format that is more manageable for the individual. Ritual practices of established religions also can be a big help, especially if one is active within an organized religious structure, such as a church, synagogue, or mosque.
But for many people, the only means of surviving the deluge of negativity is to establish a connection to the world in which one lives; finding a way of putting matters into perspective that bring dulled senses alive. Despite the suffering and imperfection of this world, it is the only world we have. As individuals, we must find a way to persevere–and to flourish– despite the odds, as survival is the only choice.
I have found that my means of coping with the harshness of reality is by getting high… an endorphin rush generated by an hour’s brisk run and meditation brings on a “runner’s high”, and I can handle pretty much anything!
I run…therefore..I…can…BE.
The rush is real; the high is real. There is nothing like the feeling of well-being created by the runner’s “high”. It can help to overcome the numbness of the senses that could come to be considered “life” in today’s world. A runner’s “high” creates feelings of euphoria and happiness; it puts the world in perspective. It generates a sense of peace and of empowerment, and in some of us, it fuels the sincere desire not just to help ourselves, but to help others as well. For many people, it brings out the creative juices. A runner’s “high” has been described as going into a “safe zone”, where no matter how bad things may really be, they are perceived to be manageable; while in the zone, nothing is so overwhelming that it is totally bad, or totally good, or even totally great.
Does the runners high help us to survive? YES! In the opinion of many folks I have talked to, absolutely yes!
What effect does a runner’s high have on the dulled senses we acquire from the tragedies in the world, coupled with the constant personal challenges in life? Does it revitalize our outlook on life? Again, many runners believe that it does. After that one hour trot, life becomes clear and focused again; it is good to be alive, and life, despite everything which faces us, is good.
Nothing will ever be perfect in our world on any given day. Does life become even better after breezy, brisk run? How could it not? Have you ever heard anyone in good running shape say, “Gosh! I feel terrible!” after a typical run? Well maybe… but not often! The runner’s post-run “high” tends to make the world wonderful again…even if just for a little while!
