Anyone really stretch themselves and try something totally out of character?
Since my husband died, I have been trying to learn who I am without him. I have returned to school out of necessity but have picked a career goal that fits me. Step one.
I have about 8 months to just get my life in order before the RN program begins. My son needs to lose a bit of weight (or grow a couple inches) before this summer to go on a big backpacking trip with Boy Scouts. I have teamed up with him and we are working on losing weight together. I am finding it easier to commit when my commitment is to him...if I cheat, it feels like I've betrayed him...so this is good. I have also registered us all in a couple water exercise classes at the Y. Good life habits modeled for my family. Step two.
I have always had a million kids in my life and I have recently started volunteering with a new Cub Scout pack that needs experienced leadership. I also am going to teach a couple weekly classes for homeschoolers on American history. (I homeschool my kids). I am starting to use my God-given talents again. Step three.
Today in church, our pastor challenged us to join him in the Chicago marathon. He wants 200 people to run with him and we will be raising money to build fresh water wells in Kenya. I have never been fond of runners...I've known too many people who have let it consume their lives at the expense of those that they should value. However, I feel strangely drawn to trying this. The church is encouraging complete beginners to do this and will help us by giving emotional support and a guide in how to do this. I am so "not a runner" but for the only time in my life, I find I do have time to prepare for this one race. I hate to run...but find myself now living in a real family oriented town where you see runners of very size and shape just running through the neighborhoods. The icing on the cake was when I saw that the race takes place on my birthday.
I have had to prove that I am more capable than anyone imagined over the last few years. For some absolutely crazy reason, I almost feel the need to run this 27 mile race to prove that I can do this...and because it would also raise money to help people who really are in need, this would be running with a real purpose. My son doesn't want to run the race but said he would train with me. I am thinking about getting my daughter to join us.
Has anyone else tried something that was a real stretch and found that it was worth it? Anyone else had something that they have wanted to do but just are afraid to try? I feel the need to fill my life with things that help me not feel my singleness so much and bring me back out into the community I live in. I think this one absolutely crazy thing might be a good thing. However, it scares me to death...
Since my husband died, I have been trying to learn who I am without him. I have returned to school out of necessity but have picked a career goal that fits me. Step one.
I have about 8 months to just get my life in order before the RN program begins. My son needs to lose a bit of weight (or grow a couple inches) before this summer to go on a big backpacking trip with Boy Scouts. I have teamed up with him and we are working on losing weight together. I am finding it easier to commit when my commitment is to him...if I cheat, it feels like I've betrayed him...so this is good. I have also registered us all in a couple water exercise classes at the Y. Good life habits modeled for my family. Step two.
I have always had a million kids in my life and I have recently started volunteering with a new Cub Scout pack that needs experienced leadership. I also am going to teach a couple weekly classes for homeschoolers on American history. (I homeschool my kids). I am starting to use my God-given talents again. Step three.
Today in church, our pastor challenged us to join him in the Chicago marathon. He wants 200 people to run with him and we will be raising money to build fresh water wells in Kenya. I have never been fond of runners...I've known too many people who have let it consume their lives at the expense of those that they should value. However, I feel strangely drawn to trying this. The church is encouraging complete beginners to do this and will help us by giving emotional support and a guide in how to do this. I am so "not a runner" but for the only time in my life, I find I do have time to prepare for this one race. I hate to run...but find myself now living in a real family oriented town where you see runners of very size and shape just running through the neighborhoods. The icing on the cake was when I saw that the race takes place on my birthday.
I have had to prove that I am more capable than anyone imagined over the last few years. For some absolutely crazy reason, I almost feel the need to run this 27 mile race to prove that I can do this...and because it would also raise money to help people who really are in need, this would be running with a real purpose. My son doesn't want to run the race but said he would train with me. I am thinking about getting my daughter to join us.
Has anyone else tried something that was a real stretch and found that it was worth it? Anyone else had something that they have wanted to do but just are afraid to try? I feel the need to fill my life with things that help me not feel my singleness so much and bring me back out into the community I live in. I think this one absolutely crazy thing might be a good thing. However, it scares me to death...
