momentum. (keep running!)

My feet pound the pavement

A steady rhyme in my ears

The sun warms my face

The breeze cools my back

Destination is my focus

But the journey is my reality

Time ticks with every stride

Thoughts meander through my brain

In the background of my mind

Images play like a film

Soundtracks spin familiar songs

Boredom toys with me

Til I round the corner

And my scene shifts

I find my smooth terrain

Becomes an upward climb

"No problem" I whisper

Through systematic breaths

Something in me welcomes challenge

I know I need a change

Fresh determination burns in my chest

I can keep running

I know this to be true

Despite the pain I feel

I won't let defeat steal my view

I press on

I run uphill

Almost there and I'm losing

My chipper attitude

Instead of habitual motion

Every step is a choice

An effort

A pushing through

I can keep running

I grab onto this truth

I'm almost to the top

I press on, against my comfort's will

I run

All other activity

In my analytical head

Screeches to a halt

Leaving room for "Keep going!"

This mantra occupies me instead

I crest the top and it's worth it

Relief meets me there

I celebrate the fact

Just when I thought it would kill me,

I kept running

With eyes fixed ahead

Road now sloping downward

I'm delighted by the ease

Difficulty forgotten

Once again, I feel carefree

I contemplate my gait

Motivation embraces apathy

Why hurry? Why keep the pace?

It's so nice to feel the comfort

To relax for a change

The road flies by beneath me

All I do is lift my feet

I can keep running

Or I could choose not to

Why is quitting so appealing

When I've already endured?

Destination recalled

I press on

I run forward

Gratitude floods in

I catch my breath

I rest my heart

This moment cheers me

Propelled by momentum

All else fades away

I run on

Sometimes I round the corner

To find another hill

Sometimes mundane awaits

Or a breathtaking view

Sometimes another bend

In this ever winding route

When the hills come

Or I despise the boring road

It dawns on me

My need for downward slopes

How momentum from the ease

Gives my weary soul hope

I will keep running

I can because I know

I won't regret pressing on

But I'll regret going slow

I choose to run in spite of me

I run to reach my goal.

"...let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." - Hebrews 12:1-3