Just Stop and Breathe

Most days I find myself rushing around to get everything done. By 5:50 AM, I am up, showering, and trying to get myself ready before I get everyone else up, make lunches, ensure that school bags are packed and feed the dogs. Then it is rush to get the kids to school before the bell rings and off to a busy day at work. In the evening, I squeeze in a run, make dinner, help the kids with homework, and finish up housework. Then off to bed. Typical routine for most parents these days.

And while the days seem jam packed, I often find myself feeling pretty unfulfilled at the end of them.  By Friday night, I often can't remember what I did during the past five days and I certainly don't feel energized or fulfilled.  Usually, I am longing for something more. But what?

The same thing happens on many of my runs. I spend hours on the road or trails logging training miles. Much of the time, I am focusing on my pace or counting the miles until I can return home. Or, I spend the time trying to solve problems at work. Sometimes I draft posts for this blog.  Rarely do I take time to enjoy the weather or scenery around me.

I live in a beautiful area of the Blue Ridge mountains. My runs are on gorgeous trails or through beautiful countryside. People pay a lot of money to vacation were I live. And I just run and take my surroundings all for granted. On a few occasions, the beauty has been so incredible that it gives me a wake up call. I stop and take it all in. Sometimes I even snap a photo with my iPhone.

It amazes me that I can remember each of those times I have stopped and taken in the view. Those are the runs I remember with pleasure. They are the runs that inspire me to continue to run!  And, when I think about it, the pleasure of those runs had NOTHING to do with running. It was all about taking time to stop and enjoy the moment I was in, to appreciate the beauty that surrounded me. It was all about living in the present and being grateful for what I had at that very moment.

I think about what my daily routine would be like if I did that more often--stopped and just lived in the moment, taking in my surroundings. I wonder how much more energized and fulfilled I would feel each day.

I am going to make this my goal for the week. Every day, I am going to stop in a moment and just be present. I wonder how I will feel at the end of the week. Can't wait to see.

Why not just live in the moment, especially if it has a good beat?  ~Goldie Hawn

Happy 2012! Where Will Your Road Take You This Year?

I can't believe we are already celebrating a new year! Seems like I was just writing my 2011 resolutions. I don't think I accomplished most of them. One was to start actually writing a blog. Well, as you can see, that did NOT get checked off in 2011.

Although I did not get an actual blog published in cyberspace, I did spend time thinking about a concept, designing the template, and coming up with entry ideas while logging miles on training runs. I just never felt I had a product that was web worthy. Who really would want to read my rantings about life, motherhood, running, or anything else for that matter? After enough time by myself on the road, I found my own thoughts shallow and boring. Isn't it a bit presumptive to think others would want to listen to me ramble on. My poor sister-in-law, and running partner, puts up with this, but I don't think many others could stand it. 

So why start a blog now. Honestly, I don't know. I didn't even put this challenge on my 2012 resolution list. But, after my run this afternoon, I just felt compelled to sit down at the computer and set up an online journal of sorts to have a place to collect my thoughts. I have a lot of time to think on my runs. And, sometimes I do come up with ideas I'd like to share, even if I end up being the only person who reads my posts.

What I have learned over the past year is that time passes too quickly. Amazing things happen, but time erases their impact. Hardships challenge us, but lessons learned are often forgotten until the next crisis. I want to remember the celebrations, the accomplishments, the challenges, and most of all my reactions and feelings to each of them. So, a blog seems like the best place to chronicle the next 365 days (and beyond if I can commit to chronicling them online).

Here is to an adventurous 2012! I challenge myself to stretch myself, to grow, to face my fears, to do things that I have dreamt about but never believed I could do (or took the time to try). I want to focus on the present, to be a better spouse and parent. I want to stop doing things that I really don't want to do. I want to strength my spiritual core. I want to indulge in MY passions (not someone else's). I want to reignite my creativity. I want to hug my kids more! But most importantly, I want to unleash my potential rather than wasting time comparing myself to others.

I wish you all a blessed and fulfilled new year! Do something outrageous!

Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!

-Bob Marley