endurance.

     The Bangles may have been a bit harsh. Not all Monday's are manic. Though, I do love the stillness and relaxation that Sundays provide. It's that overwhelming need to lay around, eat a good homemade meal, and share laughs with some friends or family. The best part of Sundays is the ability to act on each of these desires. To sleep in past 9a.m., lay in bed until the early afternoon hours, and in my case, to watch too many hours of Soap Net's Breakfast in Bed weekend TV special. But then, as my favorite day of the week comes to a close, my mind drifts to the upcoming week. To work, and e-mails. To alarm clocks, and tired eyes. To making lunches, and planning dinners. And that Sunday, comfortable, effortless bliss begins to vanish, little by little, as each ray of the sun leaves the daytime sky.

    But today, I chose to look at Monday differently. Instead of seeing it as the beginning of the downward work-week spiral, I am viewing it as a promise. A promise of new beginnings--a new week, a new step forward, a new time to enjoy the first signs of autumn, a new chance at change. A promise of change. That is, if you're willing to do it. Because, as they say, change begins within. So the change I make, on this Monday, is the effort to run. The promise to run. To run for myself, my body, and most importantly, my health, both physical and mental.

    Truth is, I think we are all born with that ability to run. As kids, we learn to run away from our messes, leaving siblings to pick up our toys or crayons. We escape from our parents as toddlers to avoid a time out or lecture on how to properly behave. We run away from our friends in fearing of being "It" during a game of tag. We escape our opponents and sprint away down a soccer field. We scream and run when a bumblebee buzzes in our direction. Why do we escape from all of these things? To feel safe, to feel free, to be at peace. And that is exactly why I have taken to running again. Today, I remembered the bliss that a nice, steady run brings.

    There’s nothing like the feeling of your lungs opening up, breathing in the warm autumn scents. Nothing beats the mix of adrenaline and endorphins flowing through your body, the wind at your back, the sound of the leaves crunching as your feet pound the pavement, and Justin Bieber singing in your ear. (Ok, so maybe not all of you can relate to the comforting feeling the Biebs provides. But, take my word for it. Or, go rent Never Say Never and find out for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.) Today, my two mile run was blissful. It was freeing, and invigorating to know that I was doing something for myself. And, I wasn’t running away from anything, but running to improve my body, and clear my mind. So maybe this time I actually ran toward my fears, my stresses, and my problems, instead of running away from them. With each stride, I faced them, but then I let them fall by the wayside. Those silly, nonsensical stressors can’t keep up with me. And, they don’t need to. I’m happy without them, and my Monday was a lot less manic without them, too.