An important function of Lifestyle Design is health, mental and physical. Running for me is a thinking-based spiritual and physical activity. I often run with the same song in my iphone on repeat. Now, that song can range from spa music to classical to techno, depending on my mood. I always run in the morning, as the city is still and pure, and that sets the tone for my day. My head is wrapped in a Japanese bandana and my Prada sunglasses perfectly wrap around the curvature of my head- I feel like no one can see me, and I kind of loose track of people. I take the back roads through the Cambridge neighborhood that I live in and love passing by this house which has metal animals in its front yard-they make me chuckle every single time, and then I love living in Cambridge again. A couple of turns later, I pass by an old-fashioned clock at the Cambridge Trust Company and note the time. I adore old-fashioned clocks and maps. There is some irony in the timelessness I feel every time I pass by that clock and make note of the time! Then I make it on the historic Massachusetts Ave, and run pass Flour Bakery and of course, it’s always closed because it’s so early. But I know that people have been baking in there since 4 am, and the anticipation of a freshly-baked loaf of bread when I’m done running is on par with my the purity of the morning run. Next comes the MIT portion, which is always exciting. I often wonder what innovative, creative things are happening inside the buildings. I feel hope that the impossible somehow becomes possible. Which is a perfect lead into the corner of the beginning of the Mass Ave bridge. This is the most visually beautiful portion of my experience, sometimes I stop and take pictures, because it never gets old. The Boston skyline is gorgeous with the architecture of bridges, buildings, the Charles River with its little dinghy’s and the occasional rowboats. I love watching the patterns of water as the rowboat glides through the river. The sparkling river somehow is magical. It’s at this point where I feel like nature is fused with what we, as humans, have created. Everything seems connected and I feel grateful to be a part of it. I cross the river and the second half of my run is through the Boston Esplanade side; where all I see and think about it is nature. It’s a transition from the macro to the micro. During the fall, there are gorgeous colorful trees lining the path. I sometimes forget I’m running in an urban city. The scientist in me comes out and I am at awe at how leaves change color based on temperature and pigments. I wonder about the plant transport system, phloem and xylem, which are so fascinating in simplicity and design; but are so under appreciated! I cross the Longfellow Bridge, built in 1900, a part of history, and approach “tech center” and there is again the hope that impossible becomes possible, and I become grateful that I get to be a part of that field. The last portion of the run along the Cambridge side is along the fence where the cement is not smooth, and I’m running on the wrong side annoying everyone. But I believe that one should always change up things from routine, it keeps the brain active in a different way. Did you know that Einstein used to change the location of his garbage can in his room all the time for this reason? The last block to my house is on brick sidewalks leading to a corner surrounded by two churches. Today there was funeral in one of the churches, and to me, it symbolized the circularity of life. It was the perfect meditation.
So for those of you who hate running, perhaps think about it as an opportunity to meditate, in the most natural, organic way. Happy Autumn.
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