There was a time in my life, not too long ago, when motherhood overwhelmed and consumed me. My days were solely focused on my little people – everything in my world revolved around them and I can honestly say I did not find nor make time for myself. As a result, I dealt with a lot of inner turmoil and felt lost, lonely and depressed. I fell into a horrible pattern of negative thinking and was always seeing the glass as half empty. I was not myself.
I realized something was missing from my life. And as strange as it may sound, that something was ME.
And this is when I started running again. Running was my way of making time for myself. It became my solitude, a place I could go to really connect with what was in my heart and let go of the things that stressed me out. Running helped me find myself again. It stirred the pot, and awakened me to my passions and to my purpose.
I do not think it is a coincidence at all that when I started committing myself to running, I started to live a happier and more authentic life. Running helped me realize what I wanted that life to look like. It has given me the courage to follow my heart and take chances – to live passionately. I had to trust that just because I am doing something for me, that doesn’t mean I am selfish or I can’t still do as much as I need to for my family. In fact in many ways, I feel like it empowers me to do MORE for them.
A happier mom is a better mom in my experience.
Since I started running again, I have done things that I am sure I would not have done otherwise. For one, I started my own company, Sugar Cone. I call it my little business that could. It is a creative outlet and something I am proud of and truly love with all of my heart. I am happy when I am creating … drawing and painting and playing. I feel alive and cannot help but smile from the inside out – it is good for my soul. Who says a 36 year old woman can’t get messy with glitter and glue and paper and paint?!?
In addition to that, running made me realize that I wanted to pay it forward and help others find their own happiness and strength through caring for their bodies. Especially mothers. I became a running coach and a Pilates teacher so that I could do this – and I am so happy that I made this decision. Every single time I teach a class or work with someone on their running goals, I am grateful and happy. I am passionate about it and I think this is why I am good at it.
Running taught me this — PASSION and doing things well go hand in hand.
My running buddy Chris is a successful accountant. The other day on our long run I asked him if he was passionate about his work – does he LOVE accounting? He said yes. At first, this answer basically astounded me because I cannot imagine being passionate about that, but when I asked him why, he said because he is good at it. This got me thinking…it suddenly made a lot of sense to me and I haven’t been able to get it off my mind.
We are passionate about the things we are good at and we are good at the things we are passionate about.
If you are passionate about something – make it a part of your life and begin planting the seeds NOW. Knowing what you feel passionate about is a true blessing! There are a lot of people in this world who have not yet discovered their passions, and many who never will. And if you are talented or gifted at something – nurture it. It could bring you great joy and satisfaction in your life if you let this talent grow. Time is going to pass no matter what we choose to do with it!
