ch-ch-ch-ch-choices.
I like choices.
The big, conversation-starting ones like the right to choose who we marry, if we decide to carry babies, how we parent said babies, and so on.
But I’m also a fan of the smaller, everyday choices that we make. For example, should I have oatmeal or a maple bar for breakfast?
If you think about it, just about every single minute of our waking hours has something to do with making choices.
And the other day, I woke up and made a choice. Just like that. Many of you know about this goal I set for myself a few months ago. It’s a lofty goal, to be sure, but one that I know I can achieve if I set my mind to it.
But it recently hit me: do I really WANT this goal? Is the satisfaction of completing it worth the physical ailments, the daily guilt I feel when I don’t run and the daily burden I feel when there are scheduled miles hanging over my head like a nagging cloud that throws me disapproving glances and whispers about me behind my back?
Right now, at this point in my life, I’m making the choice that this is not what I want.
But Melisa, you’ve already told the entire world (or at least all 3 of your followers) that you’re doing this! What will they think of you now?! Gasp!
Well, I hope they’ll think, “Hey, there’s a human being, just going about her day being a human. Living an imperfect, sometimes messy, always earnest life just like me!”
And here’s where it comes full circle: you have a choice to make, too! You can choose to stick with me and all of my future non-running antics OR you can say “to hell with this procrastinating loser” and move along. No hard feelings – it was great to have you.
Of course, I sure hope you choose to stick around. I can’t guarantee you’ll hear much about running, but you will hear plenty about daily choices I make. And I promise you that some of them will be imperfect, sometimes messy, and hopefully entertaining. You know, for YOUR benefit. I am here for YOU.
Have you had to make any tough choices lately? I’d love to hear from you!
Miss Melisa, I am so proud of you! You made a choice to do what you WANT to do. Not what you think you *should* do. Not what other people want you to do. But what YOU want to do. And that is fantastic! I’m with you for the long hall, sister! You inspire this procrastinator to change her ways. xxox
I was on mile 18 of the second (and last) marathon. I was running perfectly. I had tons of energy; I felt like I could run forever. I was getting good at it. But.
But I knew that if I pursued running marathons, it would take over my life and define me in ways that weren’t in line with my overall goals. I can’t explain it, but I just knew that I was going to let go of extreme long runs (it was extreme for me, anyway) so I could concentrate on relationships and my career and healing. My hamstrings hurt for 20 straight months. So, I get it. There is nothing in the world like finishing a marathon. I still crave that accomplishment, but it is so taxing to train like that.
I’ll keep reading whatever you do. Run, don’t run. Get a sandwich or not.
I’m new and I’m with ya!
Good for you! Selfishly, the posts I have most enjoyed of yours have not been about running. I think we reach an age when we know what we are going to do or not do and go with it instead of beating ourselves up about it.
I’m still here!
Sorry. I am like that nagging fly that just won’t leave you alone during your family picnic. You can’t get rid of me THAT easily.
LOL,, Smart Choice my friend,, to the extreme marathon runner it probably doesnt seem like a lot to train and run 3-4 marathons a year,, but My god,, I ran one and barely suevived,, I still have isseus from it and its been almost a year . I am sorry it takes a lot of commitment,, when you are ready you will know,, you may change your mind someday ,, when your daughter is older and off doing her own thing and you have more time to yourself. Right now she is your carrot . Damn good choice Melissa .
I get it !
Tammy
I am so relieved to hear this … now that you verbalize the guilt of “missed miles”, it releases to you run when you WANT and CAN to then really enjoy it. I have watched your pain and am so glad this is ending on your terms, not the operating table!
And when we put it “out there” it is like a GASP, now I can’t take it back. Like hell we can’t
I am choosing to not go VBAC (after ceserean) because the 56 women out of 1000 that had uterine ruptures is not a risk I want to take. And I am ignoring the “poo poo-ing” natural based Mom’s (I don’t poo poo natural parenting) who think the numbers are in my favor. This isn’t the lotto, this is literally life or death.
Right on, sista!
Hey, this is about YOU! Go tweet a maple bar, it’s obviously more fun for you!
Good for you. Life is far too precious and far too short to waste it on things you don’t love. This will free you up to focus your free time on something you truly feel inspired and passionate about. xo!
With you all the way, everyday and all the time my Love. Run for fun if you want to, or better yet, sit on the couch, watch a show and eat some popcorn with me.
pshhhh. You’re stuck with me, girlie. And yes. Oh my, yes have I had to make choices lately – all having to do with listening to my heart, following MY needs and saying screw everyone else. You have my full support. Proud of you.