So I take off running. As usual the first mile is bit tough - although I've warmed up by walking here - my body is still adjusting to the pounding impact of running. With Foo Fighter's "Learn to Fly" playing in my ears, I decided that I'll learn to be patient and the flying can wait. With the mantra of "slow and steady win the race", I am amazed how quickly I've done one mile, two miles, and then three miles.
At the starting point of the 4th mile, my body speaks to me: "Take your jacket off."
Me: "Um, it’s 37 degree out here. We’ll be freezing to death."
Body: "Trust me, I will keep us warm."
Me: "All right."
I manage to take my jacket off and fasten my iPod around my arm. Tossing my bright red jacket on the yellow fire hydrant, I resume my running on the sidewalk. The feeling of lightness is so refreshing-just like the crisp, cold air. My legs seem to be lighter and my steps bouncier.
Me: “Hey, this is great!”
Body:”See, I told ya. I know we can do it.”
And the conversation continues...
Me: “Have you ever thought that Led Zeppelin’s songs can be good running songs?”
Body: “No, but I sure love this “Good Times, Bad Times.”
Me: “Do you think it’s sacrilegious to say that the Zeppelin is basically a blues band playing with electric guitar?”
Body: “Probably so to some; but I think you’re absolutely right.”
Me: “You know, I think I can do 8 miles today.”
Body: “Yes, yes, we can and we will.”
At that instant, I realized something that I’ve never thought that it could be true, but here it is: I am enjoying running. It’s an eureka and a zen moment – I am all right with the pavement that I step on; I am in sync with the wind breezing past me; my heart is beating contentedly and steadily; my breathing is smooth and comfortable and the best of all, I am grinning. I look down and there it is-my shadow–the image of the body which has more wisdom than I. Except for the two pigtails swinging, my shadow is someone ageless; someone without past, no worries or any care in the world. My shadow is free of desires, longings and guilt – all it wants is to run, even if just running in circles.
This is the moment I understand perfectly what Paulo Coelho meant in his book “The Alchemist”: the soul of the world; the language of the world. And I finally realize what my personal legend is: To put myself out by trying things that are scary and intimidating even if the chance of failing is great, even if I shall be denied or rejected once or twice. To be courageous and venturing out of my comfort zone even though I feel so inadequate; to be intelligent enough to know that sometimes I'll win some or learn some; to accept the past as it is without regrets and blames – and most of all, to be honest with myself. What is a life that is worth living if I don’t ever try to know myself better? This is what I meant by being honest.
At one point during the run, I feel so close to the boy Santiago. When he was sitting alone, conversing with the wind and the sun; letting go of his fear and listening to his heart and most of all, he stands behind his strong conviction about love. He is able to save himself and, in essence, to be part of the nature. Coelho’s fable is fascinating for, not only did I sense the religious understanding, there are also thoughts from ancient cultures of Arab and oddly enough, of Chinese. The belief that man and nature can merge as one; the principles of the Alchemy "...everyone will search for his treasure, find it, and then want to be better than he was in his former life. Lead will play its role until the world has no further need for lead; and then lead will have to turn itself into gold." and "That's what alchemists do, they show that, when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too." And do not skip the last part, the bonus, the interview of Coelho at the end of the book!
It is in this state of mind, I ran 8 miles.
