"I'm back" - It's all about perspective!

I'm sure we have all used or heard the expression, "I'm back". Often it means we were talking to someone and stepped out of the room, texting and got interrupted, or maybe even a bigger obstacle in life got in the way for awhile. "I'm back" can be a declaration of a renewed energy that we are ready to take on a challenge again. It refers to something that was happening (past tense) and that we want to continue (present) and even pursue forward (future). 

COVID-19 has dampened our spirits at times and restricted our movements - both figuratively and literally. There is a lot of negativity out there right now that can suck the life out of us. If you have ever seen the Ames Room Illusion, you will know that things can be distorted and our perspective can be affected. Appearances can be deceiving, and sometimes we need to get out of the box!

For me "I'm back" was something I thought about as I started my run today - not at the end. It was my mindset to focus and push towards my goals. I have been running consistently for about 15 months again, but it's actually something that goes way back further into my youth and childhood. I have always loved to run, but there have been periods where I have been more inactive.  This past couple of years has been a journey back to health for me in a more consistent way. When I run it refocuses me and gives me the energy to move forward. It allows me to get rid of the negative stress from work and life, and stress (towards the) positive. Physical activity and getting outside are a blessing for the body, mind, and spirit! It is a positive stress - to push myself beyond physical boundaries.

Unfortunately, I have been dealing with a minor leg injury lately which has slowed me down, so I took about 3 weeks off to rest it. I could have focused on how I haven't been running lately, or that today's run was not as fast as usual, or that it was raining and wasn't a great day to get back on the trail. All that would have done is got me in a negative mindset. 

There are a lot of excuses and reasons that can get in the way. Today, I just had to get out there and feel the "I'm back"! Sometimes, often,  it's important to declare "I'm back" even when you don't feel like it. So what's your "I'm back" today or this week? This isn't just about running, this is about what you have right in front of you. So what's stopping you. Go after it. Declare it! "Be back"!