writing a good story: part 1

For the last few weeks, I've really been wanting to exercise. But finding the time to do so is very difficult, especially because right now we are a week away from moving! I've been feeling like I don't do anything for me, and my entire life is consumed by taking care of Blake. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom more than anything, but I know that I need some time for me. So today, my mom came over and babysat Blake while I went for a run outside. It was a short run, but I'm very proud of myself for lasting through it. And it was so rejuvenating to get some time by myself doing something that I enjoy. AND I'm hoping to get rid of some of this excess fat, so it feels good to actually do something about that!

Before Blake was born, I dreamed big dreams of running a half marathon in September. I thought to myself, if I can give birth, I can do anything! Well, as it turns out, I didn't technically give birth, so that makes me wonder if I really can do anything. And then there's that darned aspect of being busy all the time. But you see, this isn't about being a long distance runner or losing fat or anything. This is about writing a good story with my life.

Living my life passionately by, for example, striving for goals like half marathons, is what will show Blake what life is about. He will learn what it means to live a good story from observing me. Watching me live life passionately will give him the desire to find what he loves and to go out and do it!

One of my favorite poets, Rumi, says "Let the beauty you love be what you do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground." And what I hear in that is that living your life passionately is worship to God! Of course, Rumi wasn't a Christian, so I'm just taking my own interpretation there. But my point is that it's so important to me that I keep doing the things I have always enjoyed, like running and singing, because I want to show Blake how to live a full life. Believe me, I love to sit and watch TV, but I want Blake to have a childhood full of adventures and fun rather than lots of memories of funny commercials and good TV shows.

Lately, I'm very inspired by people I know who have changed their lives completely by choosing to exercise and eat right. THIS is what tells me that I can do anything, since they have proven that they can. So do I still have a goal of running a half marathon in September? I just might! So who's going to babysit in September for me while I run a race? ;-)