Korima Run Day 5 - Karine Burgess - My Motivation

"You don't wanna go? Come on, I'll run with you".

So we went. That's how simple and beautiful my life has been, for almost a year now. I could say she's my inspiration, or my dream girl, or the woman of my life. All that would be true. But what's most amazing, most wonderful and most uplifting is, she's my best friend.

She knows me inside and out, and has been in my life for many years. We've gone through a lot together, as friends, and last fall we decided to try and be together, together. And life has been so very good.

You are beautiful, compassionate, gentle and kind. You make living around you a real treat, with your little attentions and your good words. And you're funny as hell and you cook like a chef :) There's not enough words to tell you how much I love you. You're my treasure.

Karine Burgess, this run in the sun was as delightful as everything else we do together; it was simple, it was honest, and it was one more of these little things that make me yours, without a second thought. You're my red thread.

Let's Talk

I don’t want to talk about politics.

I want to talk about community. About the importance of being a friendly face to your neighbors, to your fellow citizens and to the stranger you cross in a random place. I want to highlight the power of a friendly hand extended in the haze of the unknown, of a smile offered freely without any expectation in return. I want to emphasize the strength of the words “welcome”, “thank you”, “together”, or “us”.

I don’t want to talk about anger.

I want to talk about love, felt and expressed in your heart in the face of harshness. Love as a true power to oppose fear, hatred and violence. Love as a brave display of Humanity, as a moral beacon offered openly to be witnessed by all. Love as a basis for your life and for your interactions with others.

I don’t want to talk about division.

I want to talk about oneness. I want to press the realization that we are all together, united in the Human experience, connected by the choices we make and the effects they generate. We cannot thrive when others hurt. We cannot prosper when others struggle to survive. We cannot enjoy freedom and happiness if others suffer rejection and oppression. True, fulfilling wealth can only be reached as a community, as a shared result of compassion, connection and integration.

I don’t want to talk about hatred.

I want to talk about how critically important it is to be tolerant, respectful and open to others. About the importance of disagreeing, and then discussing, sharing opinions and ideas, debating, and generally contributing to each other’s points of view, values and knowledge. I want to suggest that the world is not binary, black and white, left or right. Our experience as Humans has very little to do with us as individuals, and is way more about us being active members of a thriving community fed by differences, ideas, values, creativity and visions that stimulate our thoughts and challenge our minds.




Now is not the time to shut ourselves, to point our fingers and to be played into fear, loathing and self-righteousness. It is time to face a System built to divide and conquer, and to join our hands and hearts, no matter how hard, and opt for connection.

Because that’s where the true, absolute, positive power of the masses resides.

Mettā

I am a supporter of benevolent meditation and the great benefits it brings both to the emittor of good wishes and to the receiver. As fall rolls in and the cold comes down, I find myself in need of more warmth, comfort and love. And sometimes I lose sight of those needs while my mind is captured by other thoughts I don’t always control. So today, I’m projecting my loving kindness onto… myself.

May you be healthy, strong and true to yourself.

May you run free, light, careless and happy.

May you surround your friends with love and affection.

Enjoy the present moment, live in it and revel.

When you feel down, raise your head up and look at the Nature that surrounds you, everywhere.

Keep being a seeker.

Nourish your inner child, play with him and marvel at life.

Walk away from anger.

Offer no response to manipulation, blackmail and attempts to control your life.

Shine your inner light.

Look outside at the roaming hawks and soar.

Give and never count.

May your sleep bring peaceful, replenishing dreams.

May you feel the wind under your wings.

May you breathe pure and deep.

I love you.

My Credo

The purpose of life is learning. This is achieved through intellectual, social and emotional experiences.

Freedom and peace should be humankind’s common goals.

All Humans are absolute equals, regardless of any difference they might have.

The fuel for most evil in this world is the concept of possession.

Most negative behaviors are rooted in fear and ignorance.

A hug will always surpass criticism.

In every situation, strive to be open, respectful and humble.

There is very little control over anything in life.

Have no expectations and enjoy things for what they are in the present moment.

Love in its many forms makes you rich and happy.

What you think, wish and envision has an influence on the material world around you.

Kindness should always be your first choice.

Life in all its forms should be subject to deference and respect.

Strive to have good health, a strong body and a clear mind.

Forgive unconditionally.

Show emotion.

Be yourself.

Love.