Let me share my journey with running. I used to dismiss it as too “basic” and would mock runners. After all, what’s so special about something everyone can do, even toddlers?
What is EPJ? (you can skip this part if you already know what this series is about)
EPJ stands for Everyday Pilgrim Journal. If you’re new to this series, check out the first entry I wrote here. In short, I am here to explore the beauty inherent in everyday life, to understand the recurring theme of beauty through seeming foolishness. This is a theme exemplified by Christ, a “foolish” carpenter who claimed divinity and then faced brutal execution by crucifixion. Yet his followers insisted they witnessed his resurrection, and his influence remains too massive to ignore even until today.
This paradox of Christ, that he is considered the “ultimate beauty” and the “ultimate fool” is what many great people over the centuries have grappled with. Even as the modern world tries to silence or diminish this wonderful figure, I am compelled to show that it is impossible to do so. I want to look at the details of everyday life through the perspective of humility. This way I can uncover glimpses of the intuitive, mysterious beauty that Christ’s life and legacy continue to inspire.
My perspective shifted dramatically during my December 2024 internship in a remote location in West Java. I was stationed at a location that became creepily quiet at night, with no easy access to nearby towns. I spent New Year’s Eve there in complete silence, not even fireworks could be heard. The workers only occupied the area on weekdays, leaving me alone with a few friends on weekends. This was my first real experience living close to nature, complete with encounters with snakes, strange insects, and even a wild boar near my lodge.
The first two weeks were manageable, but then the boredom hit hard. Fortunately, I had packed a pair of unused New Balance running shoes that I’d received as a gift from a year ago. Inspired by Forrest Gump and countless stories of runners finding joy in the sport, I figured I’d give this “foolish” activity a try rather than die because of boredom. As a person who plays regular futsal every week, I arrogantly thought I could easily run 10K on my first try. Reality quickly humbled me when I couldn’t even manage 4K.
For 2 months there I established a routine of running every three days, and surprisingly, my fitness improved significantly. The workers kindly invited me to join their futsal games, and I noticed a remarkable difference in my stamina. I could now run 5K in the morning, work a full day, and still have energy for two hours of futsal at night. Plus, I discovered the joy of running through beautiful serene scenery like this road that I came across near my workplace.
The meditative state that I feel, the ideas that pop up in my mind throughout the monotonous strides, the soreness in my legs as I push through to log more miles, the spatial awareness of a vast world to explore while occupying such a small space, and the necessity of consistent work just to run a little faster for the next week. I never imagined such a simple activity could bring such genuine joy and beauty. Thus, from running I discovered a fragment of true humility.
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