I've always been a competitive person by nature; maybe it's because I'm an only child. Anyway, I never noticed how competitive I was until recently. A few years ago I began running and joined a core group of running friends. We do a lot of races together and when we can, we run on the weekends and evenings as well. Everything is great when I can keep up with them or run faster than them, but lately it seems they are getting faster and I am getting slower. It has really been bothering me, but this morning when I was on one of my practice hill runs, I realized something; we all have our struggles. Now I know this may not seem like an epiphany to you, but realizing this was very important for me.
As I was running up the hill struggling to breathe and feeling twinges in my knee, I realized these are my struggles. After three knee surgeries, sometimes needing to use an inhaler when I run, and sometimes just not having time to run, the fact that I can get out there and run should be enough for me. The only person I need to compete against is myself; not my group of friends, not other people I see at races, and certainly not the people who are running past me as if I'm standing still. So whether a person struggles with age, peeing their pants as they run ;), breathing issues, weight issues, or just lack of energy, we all have our weaknesses and we all have our strengths. The only person we need to compare to is ourselves. The funny thing is, as soon as I had that thought I saw a young lady running up the hill I had just gone up as if there were no challenge for her at all (I really struggled to keep my pace). My first thought was, "Oh I hate her", but then I realized what I had said. I realized she has her struggles as well, and I tried to change my thinking to, "Good for her"! Good for all of us.
Friday, August 12, 2016
Sunday, June 5, 2016
What my son learned in elementary school
My son has four days left in elementary school. Four days and then he becomes a stinky, hormonal middle schooler. I was lucky enough to have my children with me at elementary school, and having my baby go on to middle school is taking it's toll on this mommy. Not only is he going off to be with big kids, but I won't be there to keep an eye on him. I've had one of my babies close by for the last nine years, and now they will both be on their own (so to speak). I know this is harder on me than him and he is ready for the change. I know this because of what he learned in elementary school.
My son learned to read, write, and do math in elementary school. He knows the constitution, the history of our country and state, and how to write a paragraph. He learned to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. I know he's ready for the academic challenges of middle school. But my son learned so much more than this.
He learned that life isn't fair. He learned the smart kids, the well behaved kids, the kind kids, aren't the ones who earn the awards. He learned working hard and doing well isn't going to get you that trophy or that medal. He learned the students who really deserve the recognition don't get it. Really, just ask him.
And in spite of this, he learned working hard and doing what's right is important, even if you don't get the recognition. Knowing what is right, and doing what is right, that feeling you get, that is more important than the piece of pizza at Principal's Lunch or the piece of paper at the award ceremony. Amazingly, though he hasn't been recognized for three years for never getting in trouble, having good attendance, or having a grade below a C, being a good student is important to him.
So tonight I thank the teachers at his school. Not for being supportive (though there were a couple who were), or for being a good role model, but for teaching him a lesson. Sometimes it really is the "bad kids" who get all of the credit...and the "good kids", well, they are just good because they know it's the right thing to do. I know this is a lesson my son will carry with him for the rest of his life. I just wish he would have learned it a different way.
My son learned to read, write, and do math in elementary school. He knows the constitution, the history of our country and state, and how to write a paragraph. He learned to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. I know he's ready for the academic challenges of middle school. But my son learned so much more than this.
He learned that life isn't fair. He learned the smart kids, the well behaved kids, the kind kids, aren't the ones who earn the awards. He learned working hard and doing well isn't going to get you that trophy or that medal. He learned the students who really deserve the recognition don't get it. Really, just ask him.
And in spite of this, he learned working hard and doing what's right is important, even if you don't get the recognition. Knowing what is right, and doing what is right, that feeling you get, that is more important than the piece of pizza at Principal's Lunch or the piece of paper at the award ceremony. Amazingly, though he hasn't been recognized for three years for never getting in trouble, having good attendance, or having a grade below a C, being a good student is important to him.
So tonight I thank the teachers at his school. Not for being supportive (though there were a couple who were), or for being a good role model, but for teaching him a lesson. Sometimes it really is the "bad kids" who get all of the credit...and the "good kids", well, they are just good because they know it's the right thing to do. I know this is a lesson my son will carry with him for the rest of his life. I just wish he would have learned it a different way.
Friday, January 1, 2016
New Year New Me?
I have been seeing New Year's resolutions all over the place. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter. It's interesting to me how one day out of the year make a difference. Why do we wait for the New Year to make resolutions? If I want to better myself, why not today? I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions. I've never really understood them. If I want to make a change I'll do it now, not wait for the first of the year. I guess it has significance in being a new start, but the change really needs to start with me. One day can't really change my life, that comes from within. The new year is just another day and who I am, that comes from the heart. See, the calendar isn't going to make change happen; I need to make the change. Decide who I want to be and be that person. I have to live for me, and not wait around for a specific day. So, in this new year, I guess I hope that you see who you should be. Not just today, but every day of this year.
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