We are not our past. Our past reflects varied experiences good and bad that give us wisdom, abilities and feelings. While those experiences shaped our journey and some could be hurtful, they do not define who we are, what we can be or limit where we can go in the future. When we release the hold of the past over us, we free ourselves to embrace the wonder of all we can be and do. ~Life is a fork in the road.
Recently I read this post from Life is a Fork in the road and I felt like I was just given permission to move forward and not stay in the swirling waters I knew so well. I seem to be constantly in a place of seeking ‘The Answer”… to many things. One of my constants that I could always go to and dial in a little “me time” was a CrossFit WOD. Four weeks ago I decided to make a huge change in my constant. Now THAT will almost certainly rock your boat when you change courses and you didn’t even know which way you were going in the first place. The book I’m currently reading is The Noticer by Andy Andrews. It is about having perspective and realizing that the small stuff actually does matter. Hard to go into too much since I’m not finished with it, but it’s already setting my new course.
Moving into week four of the CrossFit Games Open Sectional it’s been hard for me to be off course. I am not a full time CrossFitter (and that is REALLY ok) but I expect more from myself at the same time. Then I look into what all is going on… get a little perspective. Full time nurse, Full time Mommy to a beautiful 4yr old and advanced “treading water” participant in life. Would I change that just so I could have a higher ranking on the leaderboard? NOPE! The days when Mekenzie wants to play a little longer on the living room floor or wants to bake cupcakes, SHE wins and so do I! I know I should go to the box and work on skills or get another WOD in, but then I look at why I actually do crossfit. One reason yes is because it makes me feel healthy, strong and well who doesn’t want that. The biggest reason is that at 35 yrs old, I can run around as long as MK wants to and not get tired. I was given what I took as a compliment the other day at the box by another member who I had just met. We finished the wod, all gasping for air and she walked over saying “How old are you? How long have you been doing this?” Kinda off guard for a minute, I answered “35, and since December of 2008”. She replied, “I hope I can do it like you when I’m 35 and a Mom” What she didn’t know was, I was not happy with my own performance…. PERSPECTIVE…. ding ding ding LISTEN SHANNON… It didn’t really sink in until I got home and started putting MK to bed. WOW, I actually am doing what I set out to do. Be a good example for my daughter in a way of healthy and fit living. I will keep doing CF so that I can run longer and faster as MK gets older and faster. And if I can help another woman see that we can ALL do it, then bonus! When Mekenzie showed me how her Barbies were doing handstand pushups for time I knew that I was doing something right. Yes, she is still a Diva and loves to be pretty, but she also knows that exercise and moving is part of your everyday. Makes a Momma happy!
CrossFit is not the only course I fumble thru. Think about this. How many times do you stub your toe on a piece of furniture before you actually move it? How many times do you drop something before you realize your hands are too full and you need to set something down? I seem to stub my toe over, and over, and over again and think that I will get wise and remember to walk around the furniture next time. Then…. BAM… I hit it harder than ever before and instead of getting upset at myself for knowing better from past stumbles, I take it out on the furniture. Does this look a lot like the definition of insanity? Repeating the same behavior with the expectation of a different result. A good dear friend shared this
We don’t always know that our streets will have potholes. New and old alike all have small chips that when not tended to grow beneath the surface. You just have to keep your eyes open. Gain perspective and mind the small stuff in order to see the big picture. Open your mind, Open your heart and love BIG! Where you have been doesn’t mean that is where you are going!