Something startled me awake last night. Maybe it was the animal eating the last of the bread beside my tent. Maybe it was time for yet another trek outside (it took all of one week for the nausea to start). It was probably a combination of both, but my dream was what had me thinking the most.
Dreamworld over, my eyes flew open. The feelings I felt all of June about the impending goodbyes were there, even as my eyes took in the inside view of my tent walls. My home for now. As I remembered that the goodbyes were over and my Race had started, the feelings of grief and anticipation were replaced with relief.
Sometimes I have pretty trippy dreams.
I was reminded, once again, of running. The worst parts of a huge track meet were the moments leading up to the start of the run. I became fidgety, nervous, pale. Well, I was born pale, but I would reach all new levels. Once the gun went off, I started into a calming rhythm. The steps were familiar, and I focused on them. Always going forward.
In the same way, I find comfort that this World Race is progressing. And the goodbyes are over. Everyone has their mini finish lines—the end of a work day or a school year. We can strive for the accomplishment of our goals without wishing away all the laps in between. There is strength and peace to be found in the present. Every moment is a new step, and it has been built off of the ones before it while getting us closer to the next one.
This season of my life is full of hello’s and see you later’s as I make new relationships around the world. A calming rhythm for sure.
