tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post4435519881123262864..comments2024-02-27T00:16:46.412-08:00Comments on Daily Adventures: Tomorrow We Will Run FasterGretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132576974564001603noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-62790718419403007722011-11-16T06:14:22.768-08:002011-11-16T06:14:22.768-08:00Jennifer - Thank you, and thanks for reading! It&#...Jennifer - Thank you, and thanks for reading! It's always good to hear from other writer-adventurers.Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01132576974564001603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-4948470679919737982011-11-14T02:31:01.308-08:002011-11-14T02:31:01.308-08:00Gretchen,
I clicked over from Nathan Bransford...Gretchen,<br /><br />I clicked over from Nathan Bransford's blog, and want to say that I really love what you've written here. The running, and writing, and skiing, and searching and pressing toward more really connects with me. Thank you for sharing. Press on!Jennifer Lyn Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17920928931278528749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-14973690699883280802011-11-05T13:13:11.119-07:002011-11-05T13:13:11.119-07:00Thanks, Jaimie. I love that description, "del...Thanks, Jaimie. I love that description, "delightfully sad." Very apt. Well, Gatsby's a classic for a reason.Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01132576974564001603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-27479184230618556392011-11-05T11:31:30.827-07:002011-11-05T11:31:30.827-07:00This is a fantastic post. I love The Great Gatsby....This is a fantastic post. I love The Great Gatsby. Thinking about it always makes me delightfully sad. I enjoyed your thoughts here.Jaimie Teekellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07845537262456320501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-82424298906746084592011-10-24T21:52:09.365-07:002011-10-24T21:52:09.365-07:00Anne - Oh, those things never lose their luster wi...Anne - Oh, those things never lose their luster with me! :)<br /><br />I don't know that I overthink things a lot, it's just the dwelling on what's missing instead of focusing on all the wonderful things I already have that tends to get to me. It just feels negative. And yet, any real long-lasting sense of contentedness eludes me. <br /><br />Helen - I do think running, pushing our limits, and even just being in the wilderness are all good pathways to being in the moment. It is something I work on as well, and sometimes it feels easy. Hooray! It would be easier if those beautiful, in-the-moment times weren't so short lived, but I do think it's just part of being human.Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01132576974564001603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-203509517537654472011-10-23T21:55:42.432-07:002011-10-23T21:55:42.432-07:00I wonder if our balance has tipped too far to the ...I wonder if our balance has tipped too far to the side of dissatisfaction. Studies are showing that if we can be more grateful for the lives we lead, then we will live happier lives. See http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/Labs/emmons/PWT/index.cfm?Section=4. Is happiness what we are really after here on this Earth? If you ask a parent what they want for their children, would they not answer "health and happiness"? And if they don't, why the heck not?!?<br /><br />I have recently come to recognize that I have trouble "living in the moment." I have worked to do so more, but only with moderate success... need to keep working at it! I can say that I am best at living in the moment when I am out on a long run or ski, and it usually takes 60-90 minutes to settle my brain into enjoying said moments! Can I get that "settle in" time down to 5-10 minutes? I am dissatisfied with my progress! Can I learn to enjoy other moments in just as well? Will mindful gratitude help?<br /><br />I love this article by the gazillionair owner of Patagonia: http://www.patagonia.com/us/patagonia.go?sssdmh=dm23.141383&assetid=2388&src=092911_ci1 I want to write something clever about how it ties into this topic, but I will live that as an exercise for the reader.<br /><br />Thanks for your thought-provoking post, Gretchen! (I also love the U2 reference!)<br /><br />-HelenHPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10901016227841563767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-47815374900085892011-10-23T09:44:14.653-07:002011-10-23T09:44:14.653-07:00How many times can I comment that this is a terrif...How many times can I comment that this is a terrific post before the kudos lose their luster?!<br /><br />I think our ability to reason (and rationalize) are both a blessing and a curse. It gives us the ability to a appreciate life on a higher level, but also to sabotage it by overthinking instead of following our feelings like other species.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04377440606704745517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-88295058223722091302011-10-20T18:53:47.368-07:002011-10-20T18:53:47.368-07:00Well Stac, you've provided a very thought prov...Well Stac, you've provided a very thought provoking comment in return, which I totally appreciate. I've had many a grand conversation/debate about Camu's Sisyphus, albeit not for quite some time, so I love your reference. It's not even just the absurdity of life commentary he makes, but the possibility that Sisyphus must have had some happiness (some hope) in spite of being doomed to an eternity of frustration. It highlights Fitzgerald's idea that it is the becoming, rather than the being, that is important. I sort of think that is the opposite of pessimistic, actually.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for adding to my internal conversation here. This one is kind of a never ending topic, you know? Perhaps we'll get to revisit it on a long run sometime in the future.<br /><br />And I love the other references. Great video clip - adding Party People to the Netflix queue. Boethius and his Wheel. Ha! Good stuff.<br /><br />Also, I must add, that I adore the fact that you are a connoisseur of things classical and literary along with with those of modern popular culture. Such a lovely combination in a person.Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01132576974564001603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-71164261236546898472011-10-20T12:02:30.666-07:002011-10-20T12:02:30.666-07:00Very thought-provoking stuff. In fact, this is one...Very thought-provoking stuff. In fact, this is one post I didn't want to comment on too quickly because I didn't want to risk that act putting an end to the thinking you provoked. I think that's a sure sign you're doing something really good here.<br /><br />Maybe this will seem pessimistic, but my outlook is pretty close to what Camus talks about in the Myth of Sisyphus. Life is absurd yet beautiful in its struggle.<br /><br />A few of the other references this post triggered were the end of Candide:<br /><br /><i>Pangloss used now and then to say to Candide:<br /><br />"There is a concatenation of all events in the best of possible worlds; for, in short, had you not been kicked out of a fine castle for the love of Miss Cunegund; had you not been put into the Inquisition; had you not traveled over America on foot; had you not run the Baron through the body; and had you not lost all your sheep, which you brought from the good country of El Dorado, you would not have been here to eat preserved citrons and pistachio nuts."<br /><br />"Excellently observed," answered Candide; "but let us cultivate our garden."</i><br /><br />and Boethius as channeled through 24 Hour Party People:<br />http://youtu.be/66gmYLtJJucStacynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-39480570117462004212011-10-19T18:43:47.434-07:002011-10-19T18:43:47.434-07:00Donald - Glad I could redeem myself. ;)
Pam - I t...Donald - Glad I could redeem myself. ;)<br /><br />Pam - I think that was Nathan's thought as well - that it had something to do with being a creative person. Makes a certain amount of sense.<br /><br />Teresa and Hank - Thanks! :)Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01132576974564001603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-43207967792265816452011-10-19T18:24:26.664-07:002011-10-19T18:24:26.664-07:00Really fantastic post, Gretchen.Really fantastic post, Gretchen.Hank Darthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16168709676047000763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-75485391108421832022011-10-19T06:33:48.134-07:002011-10-19T06:33:48.134-07:00Once again, Gretchen, a most excellent blog. BLINK...Once again, Gretchen, a most excellent blog. BLINK!Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16074705574937112886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-43230449214102482342011-10-19T04:20:35.029-07:002011-10-19T04:20:35.029-07:00Perhaps it's the fate of the creative person: ...Perhaps it's the fate of the creative person: Always trying to fit your present situation into the more perfect (or more whole or more satisfying or something) idea of it in your head -- if that makes sense. You use your mind creatively (writing) and your body creatively (skiing to untouched places), so you have a double whammy dose! I think it's all good as long as you keep doing what you're doing and snapping into the moment (right here, right now) every now and then.Run Home Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13394064430195728410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-19586526520241970552011-10-18T20:56:22.499-07:002011-10-18T20:56:22.499-07:00Oh. My. Goodness. Let me count the ways I love ...Oh. My. Goodness. Let me count the ways I love this post ...<br /><br />Cool intro quote<br />Steinbeck reference<br />Sweet U2 reference (to one of my favorite songs ever)<br />Literary symbolism (from one of my favorite books ever)<br />Meaningful introspection<br />Beautiful prose<br />Two subjects - writing and running - that are dear to my heart<br /><br />I think this is one of the best you've ever done, chica. Thank you so much for expressing all of this - I relate to every word of it. <br /><br />I also officially take back what I said earlier. You don't suck anymore.Donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13588564145315857856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-26415807890334076952011-10-18T19:11:48.366-07:002011-10-18T19:11:48.366-07:00Paige - Dreams keep us in motion, YES! And perfect...Paige - Dreams keep us in motion, YES! And perfect observation about runners liking motion. Maybe that's part of this need to run.<br /><br />Also, I like your term "low grade dissatisfaction." Yup, in this particular case, low grade is good!<br /><br />Olga - I totally agree with you - it's all an attempt to find that balance between pushing for something more, and still being happy with what we have. For me, the pendulum tends to swing a bit in either direction. But fortunately I don't think I'm crazy enough to drive the progress of the world in huge steps.Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01132576974564001603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-62468653377832318492011-10-18T11:24:46.696-07:002011-10-18T11:24:46.696-07:00I think there is a great combination of being cont...I think there is a great combination of being content and strive to become better at the same time. The "content" part is to keep oneself from going so mad that the forward progress won't occur. But not enough content to simply stay where one is. It's a balance. I believe while the most brilliant people in our world were not content at all and drove the progress in huge steps, they also drove themselves into mad houses - could they have served better if they didn't? Or may be their presence on Earth was to be exactly that, mad and madly driving forward? <br />Keep being unsatisfied. And leave tracks of changes behind. Hopefully, in hearts of more than a handful. Even if the progress itself will not happen by my own "not completely content", may be I'll inspire others:)Olgahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00493291972954387932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20554645.post-27100906791354286662011-10-18T09:26:36.735-07:002011-10-18T09:26:36.735-07:00Just a beautiful post, Gretchen. Makes me want to...Just a beautiful post, Gretchen. Makes me want to go outside and tilt the axis a little bit, too :)<br /><br />I think we are generally a dissatisfied species, yes. And, I do think it's a good thing as long as we allow ourselves to dwell on the pure satisfaction we find each day in whatever it may be. Low grade dissatisfaction keeps us moving forward, just like your post mentions. Otherwise we'd all just be a bunch of bumps on a log! Dreams keep us in motion, and, as runners, we sure do enjoy motion :)<br /><br />Not sure if that makes any sense written out, but it does in my head, heh ;)Paigehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com