As the Crow Flies

the crow athletics newsletter | issue 9
curated by patrick caron

Dear Subscriber First Name,

Hi there! Welcome to a new week.

Where is your mind right now? Is it here, focused on these words, drawn by this sentence, engaged in this newsletter? Or, is it floating towards what’s to come in your day or in your week, distracted by some other thought about the future or even about the past? Sometimes, it’s easy to let the present moment slip away and elude us. We find ourselves choosing to dwell on a time that is yet to be or ceases to be, stealing the joy out of what is.

If we look inward, how does the mindset with which we approach life influence our enjoyment of the present world? One example is the comforting but damaging illusion that our lives would instantly be better if we just changed some aspect of our external world. But we have a lot more control of changing our internal world than our external one, so why not focus our attention there? Being present with ourselves can be challenging work, but it is in this continual practice that we can learn to appreciate all the many gifts that lie right before our eyes, and in doing so, better share these gifts with others.

I invite you to join me in embracing the present moment, truly letting it become what it has the potential to be. Now is as good a time as any to start because all we really ever have is now.

The CAW

This past Friday’s post on The CAW features the writing of Lori Mitchener! Lori shares how a long term goal was taken away from her at the last moment and how she has reconciled with that experience. Maybe you’ve had to deal with something similar during this past couple of months. How have you chosen to process this reality, and what have you learned? Sometimes, shifting our idea of what the goal is in the first place or where we find meaning in the journey is essential to the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment we are seeking.

Remember That Warmth of Standing Just a Smidge Too Close to the Campfire? by Lori Mitchener

“Remember that warmth of standing just a smidge too close to the campfire? You know, that warmth which almost sears your tender exposed skin, but you linger because it keeps the mosquitoes away. The air just inches away will feel cool and eventually cold in an instant. Perhaps it is just me, but there is something about that campfire warmth and the way it almost burns you but keeps luring you in. There you are, holding onto the trust that it won’t permanently damage you. After all, you could step away at any moment into the cool summer evening.”
Read More ➝

Share your story!
If you have a story to share (and we all do!), we'd love to have your contribution. We have a submission form on The CAW's homepage, or you can email me directly with your ideas.

Crow Notes

• In “Persevering in Place,” philosopher and runner Sabrina Little writes about the options she is faced with while spending time at home, and whether she chooses to use this time to be distracted and wish she were somewhere else, or as an opportunity to improve her character, especially her strength of presence. Touching upon many of the thoughts I shared in my introduction to the newsletter, Sabrina describes being present as a practice of perseverance. Practice entails repetition and commitment, skills we as runners are very familiar with. What are the ways in which you persevere?

• U.S. Olympian Molly Huddle writes a piece for Runner’s World about why it’s important for pro athletes to use their voices. She shares the many ways in which athletes face criticism for speaking out but also reiterates the importance of athletes being more than just the events in which they compete.

Weekly Musing

Each week, I'll share with you a quote to reflect upon, one which speaks to us as runners, but more importantly, as humans. Today, the words of author Eckhart Tolle remind me to reflect upon my own presence.

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.”
Eckhart Tolle

Thanks for reading Issue 9 of As the Crow Flies by Crow Athletics. We encourage you to forward this email and share it with friends, family, and anyone else who may have interest!

If you’re new to subscribing, and don’t want to miss out on our past content, we now have a place on the Crow Athletics website where you can view all previous issues of the newsletter.

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Be well and run gently,
Patrick