EXPLORE
Here are some things I’d like to explore:
Remote trails. Every time I read about some Hollywood celebrity talking about how they “love long runs in the Canyon,” my common sense filter kicks in. As a woman, I have never felt safe running in remote places (and then there’s also the wildlife factor in some of those California canyons). Does anyone really do that, especially a woman? It would just be such a release to be someplace away from people where I could enjoy nature. (I know the mountain lions are a different type of risk, but I mean someplace where I could be by myself and also safe.)
The other challenge to me exercising someplace remote by myself is that I don’t trust my body, unfortunately. Knock on wood, my exercise-induced tachycardia stays under control with medication (and with avoiding running). But still, my memories of being in races where my HR came close to 300 niggle at my head. What if that happened again? It never caused me to pass out or have a medical emergency, but it can’t have been healthy.
Churches of other cultures/denominations. I know this one is possible, but I also worry that it would be offensive or naive to walk into some churches in Tallahassee (or halfway across the world) and say, “I’m here to learn about you!”
I guess at least with the churches, there probably wouldn’t be mountain lions.
Welcome to this week’s Five Minute Friday. Our instructions, via coordinator Kate Motaung: “Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.” (But I can’t resist spell checking, as you can imagine.)
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
I certainly prefer my interactions with mountain lions to be at a zoo or somewhere safe! I also like to explore other churches and cultures, but I think it’s important to do so respectfully. 🙂
Stopping by (late) from FMF#15
Hey! Thank you for the comment. I feel the same way. // Quite a long time ago, a local newspaper columnist here did a series where he visited churches of many denominations here. He did do it respectfully, and I remember it well. I just can’t get my head around how I would go as a “curious individual” and do it in a way that is authentic and doesn’t look like some sociological experiment.
Yikes. I have the same fears vis-a-vis running in remote areas. Or just running, period.
And yes. I’m thinking most churches would be cougar-free!
And again, most churches would be welcoming to the interested observer.
Apparently my “women running alone” fears are not unique to me. // And yes, I’d love to indulge my “inner observer” respectfully.
Here in Tucson, some of the beautiful places to run are mountain lion territory too. Churches that aren’t welcoming are not where I want to be.
I’m with you on both things. With the running and mountain lions, it IS us invading their space mostly so …
Yes. All of this. I have similar trepidations.
I fully understand!
We’re so alike. I also have fear of lonely spaces, would never go hiking or running by myself. And yet I know women who do. Also, l love the idea of going to a place totally different just to watch the people. Love that.
Yes!
My husband ran into a mountain lion on a trail around here. Luckily it was so distracted with its prey that it didn’t seem to notice him…Be careful out there! Laura Lee
What?! Glad the encounter ended up working out OK.