What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Last night I started reading the book "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" by Haruki Murakami, and I am completely immersed. I am not a runner, have no wish to be a runner, about fall over if I run around the block, but this book is so thoughtful and humble that I felt I needed to share this with you all.

Here are a couple of quotes from the book that I've been contemplating since last night:

"It's not much fun to be misunderstood or criticized, but rather a painful experience that hurts people deeply." (p. 19)  I know that when I deeply reflect on the criticisms I receive, I can begin to see the hurt I've put on others by criticizing them.   It's much easier to feel pity for myself than to put my ego aside and reflect on my behaviors. The initial reaction I get when I realize I've hurt someone is to feel shame. When I admit to the other person my part in a miscommunication, I find that I'm able to forgive myself (not an easy task). And if I am lucky, others will forgive my transgression in return.

"Emotional hurt is the price a person has to pay in order to be independent."
(p. 19) I sure can relate to this. During my life I have made decisions that were not accepted by many. The emotional abandonment I felt was deep, but in the long run, I stuck to my own principles and have emerged stronger. This quote really put down the feelings I've had in one succinct sentence.

At the moment I'm only on chapter 3 and I'm totally engrossed. If you get a chance to read it, please leave a comment and let me know your impressions. Namaste.