Quiet Time
written by: Michael Natt
This Saturday began like all others. Today though was my annual 10-mile trek around the three Minneapolis Lakes (Harriet, Bde Maka Ska, and Isles). I was already prepared to navigate the course at a slower pace than normal because I needed a time of recovery from leaving it all on the course last week at Lola’s 10-mile race. So, I plugged in my earbuds and cranked up my tunes and began my walk. About five minutes into it, I was acutely aware that the music was not working for me today. Normally, I can preserve the quietness of my spirit on one track while listening to the pulsating beats on my soul track. Today was different though, so I put my iPhone and earbuds away and converged both my soul and spirit into one quiet place.
This was a particularly beautiful day in the Twin Cities. The weather was perfect, the flora and fauna were splendid, my body was doing what I love to do, and my spirit and soul were in a quiet place. Without the music, I was tuned in to the snippets of conversations of people who I passed along the way dealing with life, death, health, work and the hopes that they expressed to their friends this Saturday morning. There were a few recognizable faces along the way. None more so than former Minnesota Viking and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page. He was nursing an injury today, so I offered up a prayer on his behalf. This is the least I could do for a great man who has served our State with distinction. Had I been more attentive to my music than the quietness of my soul, I might have missed this opportunity to bless him.
There were also some personal matters that I needed to work through this morning, and this 2.5 hour of quiet time facilitated the best in my thinking process. For one, I came to the conclusion that I indeed have one more fun 13.1 race in me, so Mankato here I come this October!
Today I also decided to lock into a program that will culminate in completing the requirements necessary to become a board-certified Life Coach. This program builds on my already attained social science-related master’s degree and experience dealing with people’s spiritual, psychological, physical, relational and purpose goals. This additional credential will enable me to offer my clients a broader range of options. Ultimately what I have to offer my clients is myself, and developing my competencies and understanding will enable me to serve them better.
Sometimes quietness speaks a loud and distinct message to our soul.
Michael worked in business for 40 years including 28 years as a systems engineer and project manager with IBM, and in various capacities for United Health Care, Grumman, and the YMCA. Michael has also served as a congregational and teaching leader in Minnesota, Arizona and New York. He earned a B.A. from Bethel University, and an M.A. in Human Resource Development from the University of St. Thomas. He is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). He has also completed 15 marathons and 60 half-marathons in 10 different states. His passions are praying, reading, writing, crosswords, health, and fitness. He lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota with his wife Cheryl. They have been married for 49 years.
Latest posts by Michael Natt (see all)
Quiet Time
Quiet Time
written by: Michael Natt
This Saturday began like all others. Today though was my annual 10-mile trek around the three Minneapolis Lakes (Harriet, Bde Maka Ska, and Isles). I was already prepared to navigate the course at a slower pace than normal because I needed a time of recovery from leaving it all on the course last week at Lola’s 10-mile race. So, I plugged in my earbuds and cranked up my tunes and began my walk. About five minutes into it, I was acutely aware that the music was not working for me today. Normally, I can preserve the quietness of my spirit on one track while listening to the pulsating beats on my soul track. Today was different though, so I put my iPhone and earbuds away and converged both my soul and spirit into one quiet place.
This was a particularly beautiful day in the Twin Cities. The weather was perfect, the flora and fauna were splendid, my body was doing what I love to do, and my spirit and soul were in a quiet place. Without the music, I was tuned in to the snippets of conversations of people who I passed along the way dealing with life, death, health, work and the hopes that they expressed to their friends this Saturday morning. There were a few recognizable faces along the way. None more so than former Minnesota Viking and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page. He was nursing an injury today, so I offered up a prayer on his behalf. This is the least I could do for a great man who has served our State with distinction. Had I been more attentive to my music than the quietness of my soul, I might have missed this opportunity to bless him.
There were also some personal matters that I needed to work through this morning, and this 2.5 hour of quiet time facilitated the best in my thinking process. For one, I came to the conclusion that I indeed have one more fun 13.1 race in me, so Mankato here I come this October!
Today I also decided to lock into a program that will culminate in completing the requirements necessary to become a board-certified Life Coach. This program builds on my already attained social science-related master’s degree and experience dealing with people’s spiritual, psychological, physical, relational and purpose goals. This additional credential will enable me to offer my clients a broader range of options. Ultimately what I have to offer my clients is myself, and developing my competencies and understanding will enable me to serve them better.
Sometimes quietness speaks a loud and distinct message to our soul.
Michael Natt
Latest posts by Michael Natt (see all)