Perspective

I run for a lot of reasons. The obvious being for the many physical benefits it provides, but also for the not so obvious - the immense mental clarity it gives me. Running has the ability to clear my head and put my thoughts into perspective in a way that nothing else can. It is a blessing and truly a gift.

I was running last night, and doing a lot of thinking. It was a beautiful, warm summer night (my favorite time to run), and I couldn't help but feel so very blessed in those moments. There was the most beautiful sunset, the kind that only a summer July night could create, and something about running in those idyllic summer conditions just really put things into perspective.

It is not uncommon for me to stop and think, 'wow, what a beautiful world I live in', while running but last night it was different. It was different because today I start my first day of pediatric clinical rotations, which means I will be spending my day surrounded by sick kids. I have seen sick adults, I have seen people truly suffering, and I have seen people taken away after their time here on earth is up. What I see today will be no different than that, but these are sick kids we are talking about, and that puts just about everything into perspective. 

These are children who may or may not have spent their entire short lives up until this point surrounded by the walls of a hospital. Children who don't get to enjoy some of life's simple pleasures like eating an ice cream cone as it drips down your hands on a hot summer's day. Children who may never be able to see those beautiful July sunsets, listen to the 'pop' of fireworks, or know what it feels like to fall in love. It breaks my heart that some of them will never know what it feels like to run. 

Nothing about it is fair, but it is perspective. Hundreds of thousands of children are sick and suffering, and whatever tiny troubles we encounter in our day to day lives pale in comparison to the battles they fight every day. I might not know which city I want to move to next year, but at least I have the ability to choose and the opportunity to go. I might still be brokenhearted, but at least I had the chance to experience love. I might be tired and rundown, but I am privileged to have the opportunity to go to school for a career that will allow me to help others. In the grand scheme of things, I am doing more than alright and I'm sure you are too. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's all about perspective. I am not saying that whatever hardships, troubles, or stressors you have going on in your life are unimportant, because that is far from the truth. We are only human and we are allowed to feel any and all emotions that come our way. Acknowledge what you feel but don't let it consume you. Deal with it and move forward. I promise you in the grand scheme of things it just doesn't matter all that much. At the end of the day remember to count each and every one of your blessings, and never take for granted the beautiful life you have been given. 

xo. G