Grow, Glow, Flow

I was so happy I decided to do a hard trail run last month.  On the way there I heard a song on my Taylor Swift Radio station on Spotify titled: Grow, Glow and Flow by Auracle Vibes.

I almost exclusively listen to Taylor Swift when I need to increase my energy level, stay awake on long car drives or clean my house, because I know most of the lyrics and enjoy singing along but today, I am trying to be open to other artists and hence this song didn’t get the fast forward from me. The chorus goes like this:

If it don't help me grow, I don't need it

If it don't help me glow, I don't see it

If it don't help me flow, let it go

Baby, it's all about the know

What an anthem for supporting your best self! For me, in light of my grief and my continuing caregiver roles, it really gives me a concise mental model as Naval Ravikant would say “a compact way for me to recall my own knowledge.” If something isn’t a grow opportunity, it’s a NO, running, writing and renewal practice are always growth opportunities so always a YES.  If something doesn’t make me glow / bring me joy or love or allow me to express love, then it’s a NO.  Experiencing nature, spending time with friends, caring for my loved ones and allowing myself to be loved and treating myself well make me glow.  And if it doesn’t bring me flow, ease, contentment, or peace, then NO.  Being mindful, being in the present, breathing, practicing yoga, meditating and resting or finding myself so engrossed in running, writing or crafts that I am truly present is flow.

I went on to run that 10k (actually 6.5 miles, Waldrops are experts at taking wrong turns in trail races) although I almost didn’t show up because I had felt so fatigued on my run the day before but then I decided, why not?  It was a beautiful crisp, clear, sunny morning in the mountains and once I got to the top of the first hill and started down a one-mile stretch, I was so grateful to be able to be out there doing this thing I have loved for over 50 years.  I started flying (well, I did flap my arms like wings just for the joy of it) while listening to Taylor Swift’s Fearless album and crying a little in gulps because I was feeling the loss of my dad but also feeling him strongly with me in my heart – being proud of me for still getting out there and making the effort.  Even when the uphill came again, I decided for today to be on team “never walk” (a philosophy professed by Megan and David Roche that I don’t normal adhere to) because I wasn’t going to be out there for long. PURE FLOW.  

What allows you to grow, glow and flow?  Let’s choose to do more than that.