Bling, Bling!

10 miles - check! I did it. I ran 10 miles! It was an amazing feeling as I completed each mile, not thinking about how many were left, but where would I be if I were on a training run? Or how far I've come not only physically but mentally too. Or admiring those that were out there with me. And of course, the bling. The bling that was waiting for me at the end. The shiny piece of metal that would say to the world - I just ran. I just ran far enough that they gave me this! I've done a number of 5k and 8k races, even a few sprint triathlons. But this is my first piece of bling, and I am proud.

It was also very cool to run during Memorial Day Weekend, finish inside Soldier Field, and hear some touching stories about our men and women in uniform during the opening ceremonies. We are so blessed to live in a country where we are free to run the streets, free to live where we want, eat where we want, work where we want, and free to say what we want to say. For this, I am thankful.

Knowing that I have come from barely being able to finish 5 miles to running 10 and feeling great gives me the experience of knowing that I can work toward something and achieve it. I now need to harness that confidence and pride into my professional life. Deciding to change careers and considering going back to school is scary. Totally scary. But nothing worth having is easy. I am working on keeping my eye on the bling at the end to help me through. Thanks to some special people in my life who remind me of this. It might be tough now, but there is bling at the end and if I want it bad enough, I can keep pushing when it hurts, when it gets uncomfortable, or when I want to stop. And for this reminder, I am also thankful.

Workin' for the bling!

Legs

It's time to be thankful for my legs instead of always wishing they were longer or thinner or more toned or tan! My legs have done amazing things for me the past few months. They have made me a runner! Did I ever think that when I started this blog that I would become a runner? Nope. Not even a little bit. I thought that was Dan's thing, not mine. Every stride, every mile, it was earned in a huge way. It was so much effort, it was so hard, my heart rate was high, it didn't feel right. Now that I have learned a new form, I ran the furthest I've ever run last week, 8 miles! And it felt good.

In the pursuit of bling, (since I haven't received a medal for any 5k or 8ks), a friend of mine recently convinced me to take on the Soldier Field 10 Mile race this weekend. Not only do you earn a finisher's medal, but also a stadium blanket and of course a shirt for signing up. Woot, woot! Score! So as I was looking into the salon mirror while getting my hair done last week, I noticed my legs. I thought that I really still need to work on toning them, lose more weight, get a tan, etc. But then I started thinking, wait a second. Don't be so hard on them!

Then I saw this, which summed up my thoughts exactly as I decided to take it easy on my legs.

I think I'll print this out and next time I start thinking mean things about my legs, I'll read this. Thanks legs, I appreciate ya!

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." by Lao Tzu

Soul searching. Reflection. Time. All of these are gifts. I believe very strongly that everything happens for a reason, and I feel I'm on the brink of discovering why I was laid off from my most recent job. Unhappy, uninspired, unengaged. This is not how I want to live my life. I was let go from a profitable position, but the profit was in my bank account, not in my soul, heart or mind. It feels as if the fog is lifting and I'm about to realize why this happened to me, (for the second time), and why it's important I take this time to search my soul and reflect on my life so far and what I want for my life going forward.

I have realized I have a true interest and developing passion for a healthy lifestyle. When thinking about what I'm passionate about, it's hard for me to think of anything beyond loving my family and friends. Enjoying the life I have while I have it, and letting those I love know it. Then I thought back to the last three months that I haven't had a job. I've taken up running and I've made an effort to learn and incorporate more healthy foods into my and my husband's diets and I am thrilled to talk to anyone about it and how they aim to live healthier.

This lead me to realize that perhaps I should look into a career as a health coach or registered dietician or nutritionist. A career that aligns with how I want to live my life, how I want to teach my future children to live, and how I would love to help others do the same.

So now I'm sorting out education options and which jobs are available for which credentials. But when I wake up in the morning and think about this as my new career, I'm excited. My belly fills with anticipation and could it be? Passion? Passion for bettering my own life, that of my loved ones, and the lives of complete strangers? What is better then that? Yes, please.