Month: June 2010

Confessions of a Former Couch Potato

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I went for a run a few times these past couple of weeks.  The hardest part of any run is taking the initiative to put on my running shoes.

The last couple of times I ran my 5 Km route, I found it tough for a couple of reasons.

1. I was chased by a flock, a pack, a herd (whatever they are called when there are too many to count) of hissing Geese.  Add to that my fear of birds and feathers and it was quite the traumatizing experience.  I gave them my crazy eyes and ran for the hills screaming on the first 10 strides.  On the upside, I improved my pace on that particular Km by a minute.

2.  I had a hard time running the entire time.  My legs felt like I had strapped weights to them.  I forced through it, but it wasn’t easy where it has been easier on other runs.

As I pushed through it, the discouraging thoughts kept running through my head…

“Run faster”

“Your pace is slow, pick it up”

“Other people run this route minutes faster than you”

Yes, my internal banter is odd.  But a few minutes after all of the discouraging stuff I realized this and actually said it out loud…

“You’re a former Couch Potato, be proud, you are running 5K”

When I first started this journey I couldn’t run more than 30 seconds without everything in me screaming to stop.

Running does not come naturally to me.  I worked up to running 1 minute, walking 5 minutes over the length of 30 minutes.  Then I worked up to 2 min. run/5 min walk.  Then 2 min. run/2 min. walk.  Then 5 min. run/2 min. walk…and so on until I could eventually run for 10 minutes straight…then 20 minutes…then 30 minutes…then 45 minutes…and my next goal is to run for a full hour.

I used to live my life on the sidelines.  I didn’t think there would ever come a time that I would be a runner, or a writer, or a photographer, or even confident in my own skin for that matter.

I believe healthy competition is good for the soul and can drive you further.  But comparing yourself to anyone else is not productive in anyway.

We are all different, have different strengths and weaknesses, and different goals.

Last night during my run, I spent the first 2.5 Km discouraged, and the last 2.5 Km proud at the progress I’ve made over the past 5 years.

I can tell you that the first half of my run was harder than the last half. I actually ran the last half with a big smile plastered on my face and pride in my heart.

Life is good, especially when you stop looking at it from the sidelines and actually jump in and live it.

From my heart to yours,

Christine

Finding Beauty in the Everyday

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“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Herman Cain

This quote is so true!  When I think back to the time in my life when I demanded change from within, it was because I wasn’t happy with the choices I was making in life and as a result, it translated negatively into many areas of my life.  When you finally get to the point where your desire, need, and vision of a different future is greater than staying on the same course that clearly isn’t working, that’s when change truly happens.  When your desire to pursue your dreams to be the person you KNOW you can be takes over, there is no stopping the wheels of change. The positive momentum carries you forward and little by little life begins to take shape in a way that it hasn’t in the past.

I’ve needed some extra motivation and inspiration lately, and I’m so thankful that I have amazing people in my life that continue to support and constantly remind me what is truly important in life.

I have to confess that I’ve been struggling lately with finding the almighty, seemingly unachievable balance.  My life is overwhelmingly busy right now.  It seems that the only time I have to myself is after the kids are in bed, and by then I’m tired!  I have missed out on my workout nights for a while now.  I decided last night, I needed to drop everything and go for a 5K run.  It took seconds for a huge smile to return to my face.  There’s a feeling when I run that I can’t get from anywhere else.  It’s both uncomfortable and completely freeing at the same time.

I’m once again reminded to do the things that bring the most joy and pride to my heart.  It’s important to create an environment that is the most conducive to keeping the positive in, while at the same time keeping the negative out.  Sometimes that feels selfish, but it’s an area that has taken me years to realize is essential in order to maintain a positive and healthy lifestyle.  But I also realize that positivity starts first with me.  I haven’t been as positive as I should be lately.

If you are struggling right now, I want to encourage you.  We are all stronger than we even realize.  We rarely tap into our true potential for fear of failure or because it’s difficult!  The best rewards in life come with hard work, dedication, and stick-to-it-iveness (yes I’m sure that’s a word). I believe you have to embrace failure to not only be successful, but to truly appreciate it!  It takes time to figure out the right path because we are all unique, so it only make sense that each of our paths are different.  We all fail!  It’s part of life and the sweet taste of success is seasoned with failure.

Change can be so scary.  I so often hold back because of fear of the unknown.  But change is necessary.  A good life is about learning, earning, and yearning (I think I read that somewhere once).

So, today I am going to stop in the midst of the busy, and find a bit of peace that’s essential to the heart and soul.  I think the reason I’m so completely addicted to photography, is because it’s the constant drive to find beauty and magic in the every day.  To walk into a venue that is common to the eye, and find angles and  yummy dreamy light that you miss unless you look for it is mighty delicious.  We so often miss the beauty that is all around us.

You see, one of the greatest blessing photography has brought into my life is that many people don’t realize how unique, amazing, and beautiful they truly are.  Their eyes hold a story…some of pain, some of innocence, some of wisdom, and some of joy…but all are authentically beautiful and deserve to be captured.

Different is Beautiful.

Coming through adversity a better person is Beautiful.

Change and growth is Beautiful.

Quirky is beautiful.

I have great memories attached to this song (although there are many opinions about what this song is really about)…it makes me break out into shoulder dance…that’s a good thing! 🙂

I hope you find beauty in the everyday.

From my heart to yours,

Christine