Eventually,
there’s a downhill. A downhill run is probably one of the best feelings
in the world; loud music playing in my ears, the wind in my face, and
my legs pumping faster than I’m normally able. I feel free. I feel
confident. I feel whole.
Running
gives me a chance to clear my head, but also helps me to think. It’s
the one time I can concentrate on a single thought at a time. Usually I
have multiple thoughts running at the speed of light. It’s nearly
impossible to slow my mind down. But while I’m running, my mind lets me
concentrate. Some of my best ideas and clearest thoughts come during the
hour or so while I’m on the trails.
Music
is a big part of my runs. I have a playlist of songs that inspire me to
run faster, keep going longer, and work harder. Ever since I was a kid,
music has been a huge part of my life. I get that from my dad (anyone
who has seen his music collection would probably agree). It’s not only
the composition of the song that motivates me. It’s also the lyrics.
Words can be powerful, and can inspire a huge range in emotions. I’ve
always loved finding meaning in the words of a song. It’s often deeper
than just something to sing along to. Sometimes the artist meant
something a lot profound. And, sometimes the lyrics are especially
meaningful to you, and you attach your own meaning and emotions to that
particular song.
One
particular song has found its way onto my running playlist recently. At
first, it was just that I really enjoyed the beat and thought it would
be a good song to set a pace to. But the more I listen to it on my runs,
the more I think there’s something below the catchy tune. Maybe it’s
because I’ve been a lot more introspective lately, but this song- “Anna
Sun” by Walk The Moon- not only inspires me on my runs, but also pulls a
bit at my heartstrings.
Admittedly,
the first time I heard this song, I figured ‘Anna Sun’ was possibly a
drug reference. The song seems to describe a fairly epic party- talking
about rattling the town, sleeping on couches, and waking up sore the
next morning. But, it’s the chorus that makes me believe it’s about
something more.
“What do you know? this house is falling apart
What can I say? this house is falling apart
We got no money, but we got heart
We're gonna rattle this ghost town
This house is falling apart”
What can I say? this house is falling apart
We got no money, but we got heart
We're gonna rattle this ghost town
This house is falling apart”
I
think about what a house or home represents- comfort, belonging,
safety, etc.- and I think this song is about losing that feeling, or
that ‘home.’ To me, this song is about knowing that something you’ve
been used to or depending on is coming to an end. As this ‘house’ falls
apart, a period of your life is ending, and you can’t go back. Nothing
will ever be the same. I think rattling this ghost town refers to that
one last blow out- you know, that one last party before you graduate,
the last time being with a group of friends before you all move away,
the desperate try to fit a square peg into a circle. We, as humans,
don’t like change. We desperately try to hold onto the past. I’ve always
been guilty of it. I despise change.
But,
I think I’m finally accepting that life needs to change. Holding onto
things longer than you should makes life stagnant. I’m also working on
forgiving. I not only have a problem with holding onto the past. I hold
grudges. I’m making a commitment to let that go. It’s a pretty new
development, but I already feel lighter and less bogged down.
I’m
not really sure what the point of this posting was, exactly. I think I
needed to just ramble a bit, and get a few things off my chest. If you
made it all the way through this post, well, it’s probably because you
have a lot of free time. Or, you’re someone close to me. Either way,
thanks for taking the time to make it through my ramblings.
Here's a link to the song- just in case anyone else wants to add it to their playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
