Do you know what the best part of running uphill is?

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”

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?v=qDVW81bXo0s