This morning I went running with

• Naveed from the BBC Scotland comedy series Still Game (actor Sanjeev Kohli one of the voices for BBC C25K). Still Game has been something I watched on and off for 20+ years and have passed to my children.
• William Morris (artist, poet social activist, and writer),
• Lola Young (British singer songwriter of one of most popular songs at the moment: 'Messy'. A song/poem which feels a letter from Lola to her parents), and
• Fleetwood Mac (British/American rock band whose song 'Dreams' is about breaking up). 

There were also the families, the other runners alone and with dogs, and those out for a leisurely coffee that I saw in the park this morning. 

I didn't want to go for a run this morning but I knew it was the end of Week 1. I had my coffee and put my clothes on and went. When I left today was more about getting it done and yet when I returned I was joyful and glad I did it. 

That is often the story with things we want to do and a part of us is conflicted... Perhaps its the FOMO (fear of missing out)... fear of missing out on sitting on the sofa, chillin with the kids, reading a book, whatever it might be for you... 

— What are the things you want to do that you fight against? 

Today is a big day for me, it is the final day of The Courage to Belong virtual retreat. Even as the facilitator the experience has been very profound to me - the way that I like to work is to be both a participant and also to be the facilitator... we are all on a journey. When it comes to belonging it is not something you can 'purchase' or tick as being 'done'. It is a lifelong journey which is why the subject of belonging is so dear to me. 

Today is the day I stop doing formal learning for a year. My theme for this year is to do with integration. Integration of all the learning I have been doing, of the experiences I had... of the insights and reflections I've been witnessing and that have been showing up. 

This is something I am constantly fighting against and yet I know it is the right thing for me to do. 

Let me tell you why... 

On Wednesday I met with someone who has been in my network for many, many years but has recently become a really deeply valued friend. We talk about life, the world, everything... there is no predictability to our conversation and the direction it will take. 

He said something really profound to me... 

'Learn all the theories, master all the techniques but in the presence of a human soul be just another human soul.'— attributed to Carl Jung

He said that he has been trying really hard to find the citation for the quote and couldn't... I also searched and the closest I found is:

"True art is creation, and creation is beyond all theories. That is why I say to any beginner: Learn your theories as well as you can, but put them aside when you touch the miracle of the living soul. Not theories, but your own creative individuality alone must decide.” — Jung, C. G. (1928) Contributions to Analytical Psychology

For me the bit that stands out the most in the quote above is the last one 'your own creative individuality alone must decide.' Creating the space to access and allow the 'creative individuality' to emerge feels important to me.

I find learning and application of learning a delightfully rich and creative process. And yet the biggest challenge for me is creating space so that I can integrate. 

Maybe I have been fighting against that space of integration... deep integration and that is where I move to now. 

—What will you find when you surrender to the things you fight against? 

That is the inquiry I take with me to the rest of the week. And if there is another inquiry you'd prefer to follow having read this note I invite you to take that with you, and I'd love to hear what it is so do let me know. 

Have a great week!

All my best,

Saiyyidah