I’ve seen several posts or shares around the interwebs about people being in a “funk.” It happens. We all get in them. I was pretty down after Arizona for a couple of days… it was an amazing weekend and I had a blast, but I still couldn’t cloud the fact that I missed my race goal. It’s like eating an ice cream sundae and it’s the best thing in the world, but they forgot to put the cherry on top. Delicious ice cream, every bite… but man, just needed that cherry.
Ok. I’m a runner and I’m supposed to be healthy, so replace ice cream with salad and cherry with tomatoes in that last analogy. Better?
What was I saying? Oh. Being down… it happens. It doesn’t even have to be running related. It could be work, it could be your neighbor, it could be the guy at Starbucks that doesn’t understand “triple pump.” The point is that there will be an “up.” I’m not sure when it will happen, or the best way for you to reach it. But it will get better.
For me, it’s all about finding what makes me happy. Or what makes me smile. Isn’t there a saying “Find out what makes you happy and do more of that.” If not, there should be. I’m going to be honest, most of us have to do things that we don’t like. It happens. Stuff just has to get done for one reason or another and you just have to suck it up and do it. But it’s the counterpart to that you have to find. It’s that balance. For someone who doesn’t do yoga more than 2x a month, I can get pretty zen about things. Maybe it’s the running for hours and hours and being alone with my thoughts.
My daughter. My balance.
Wifey is out-of-town for the week, so I’m playing single dad. First off, girl’s hair? Way hard. Usually wifey handles it and she must have some kind of magic moves or something… or maybe it’s years of practice. We do a good job of mastering things we are good at. I’ve always been able to put her to sleep, showing her what all the cool bath toys can do and doing all the voices in story time – accents and all. When her hair was shorter, I used to comb that thing like no one’s business and she looked good. But then it got all long and someone said something about a pony tail or a braid or what are those little rubber bands called? Those.
Those kinds of things make me smile. It’s putting a headband on her head because that’s the best I could do, but making sure her puppy shirt is clean because that’s what she wants to wear with her airplane socks. Balance. I’m not going to get everything right, but I’m going do my best at what I can do.
But she is my balance. She is the reason I’m able to get through the all the muck. There are frustrating times, but when she runs to my arms and screams “daddy” it’s all ok. She helps me remember what is important in life. For me, it’s family. It’s making sure that she grows up to be a good person. It’s trying to catch her before she falls and letting her know she is going to be ok when she does. It’s staying up until 1 am to post this blog because I don’t want to miss out on time with her when she is awake. It’s making sacrifices knowing that the result is worth it.
I can’t tell you what your “balance” is. But it does exist.
Let’s start here: what makes you happy?
Girls hair way hard, so true! But you know what’s hilarious I still very vividly remember the couple times my dad had to put my hair up and I cherish those awful pony tails :0) that makes me happy
yes.
this.
my husband has been gone for weeks at a time with his new job and—as hard as it is to solo parent–mine too is my balance and my calm.
It is one reason I’m happy I have boys I’m a girl who can’t do girl hair! Balance is important and we do need to remember the ups. The weather is my problem 3 weeks of sub zero is too much for me!
Wow! I loved this post! That analogy hit my thoughts right on the head! Definitely the ice cream one….I think I would move on pretty easy if I was just missing a tomato :)
When I ran my 2:49 in November, I had not even considered running even 2:40, I thought I had already broken it, in my mind I had already run 2:39 or faster. When it all fell apart around 19, I had no plan of action, and it left me devastated. I think I only physically made it out of the funk last week, and I wonder if I am still in it a little emotionally. Your post makes me think yes.
You are so right that balance is the way to move on, to see that there are way more important things in life than running. Your beautiful daughter is perfect evidence of that! You have made me smile this morning, just knowing you get those precious moments with her, that happened this week for a reason! I hope one day I can look at a daughter of my own, and have those same moments. Thanks for the inspiring post! You will bounce back :)
Had to laugh about the hair….I remember my dad brushing mine and getting the round brush stuck in it. What a fiasco. My poor dad. But he tried! No, it’s not easy, but I’m sure you’re doing awesome.
My balance? Depends on the day. Sometimes it’s hiking, or running, or even just sitting still for a few moments in quiet.
you’re awesome. finding balance is so important in any and every healthy life! my balance includes healthy foods and treats, lots of movement and lots of rest, and tons of time with jonny, family, and friends! :) :)
Great post, balance is very important and all the runners I talk to have their own way of balancing their lives.
My family definately makes me happy. If i have a bad day at work or a bad run, I come home to the smiles of loving children and that all goes away.
http://runningschlub.blogspot.com/
Oh how I love this … Our girls sure are at an awesome stage in life right? I have to make sure Em’s owl PJs are always washed because those are the only ones she wants to wear. That and make sure her blankie is clean. :)
LOVE this post. I’m currently in my “funk,” and was just about to write it out…thanks for the kick in the pants.
What a sweet post!! Funks are hard! My balance is yoga and my nieces and nephews. I don’t have kids, but I do have a fur child, and I would consider him part of my balance.
I love this post! It brought back memories of my dad having to use half a bottle of tangle remover spray when I was about 7. I had LONG hair and he didn’t want to hurt me by brushing out the tangles, so it took forever, but I remember how gentle he was. :)
I agree with your post. So many negative things have happened in my life the past 5 years {deaths, losing a house, infertility, etc.}, but I cannot let that control my happiness. I just keep telling myself that i WILL get better.
omg the hair paragraph. i dieeeeee. so hilarious! i’m not sure my dad ever touched my hair when i was little but it sure would have been interesting.
Sigh…thank you for putting it all in perspective! I had my funk in the fall and this year, I’ve really started figuring things out again. I’ve rediscovered my love for cooking and baking. Life doesn’t have to revolve around running, but it’s easy for it to become all consuming. Enjoy your week with the first lady! :)
Love this! We all have to find balance – and it is about finding those things that let us relax and unwind and remind us of the important things in life!
Much needed reminders this morning! What is that saying? The days are long, but the years are short! Enjoy those days, little hair thingies and all! My oldest is 21 on Sunday (Oh.My.) and my youngest graduates high school soooooooon. Enjoy those days. Balance is the shiz.
I love this. My son and husband are definitely a big part of my balance right now. I have found other things that help balance me as well, but those two definitely know how to make me feel grounded and happy. (and girls hair…I can’t even do mine, I’ll need some serious help if we ever have a girl.)
Love this!! Balance. It is all about finding balance!
And regarding those rubberband things that hold little girls hair up… this is why I am so thankful I have boys. :)
My balance comes from my family!! Hands down! I had to give my husband a tutorial on how to pull our daughter’s very thick curly hair back so she wasn’t going to school looking like Diana Ross ready for a show!! It has taken a long time and many “what happened to your hair” moments but he’s got the pony down….almost!
Family and friends are my balancing factors for sure. The first lady is the cutest little girl. Beautiful! The thought of you trying to do her hair is comical. I have full faith you’ll master the ponytail, which is the signature runner hairstyle anyway.
This post makes me happy. :D Finding balance is never easy. I struggle with it all the time and I don’t even have kids! :D
The hair makes me laugh. Hairstyling is tough. I’m glad you found your balance. Why is January always such a hard month??
Oh and in case you didn’t see my response to your comment on my post, yes I’m in. Shoot me an email when you want to chat more about that book :)
Brushing hair is hard, especially if it’s long. Heck, I hate brushing my own hair. ;) Finding balance is hard (my husband helps, but I’m still a little crazy ^-^;), but you’ve got a great focus of balance. With a smile like that, she can lift anyone’s spirits.
Definitely enjoyed this post. Haha, I don’t think my Mom ever let my Dad do our hair, which I am forever grateful for ;) I will agree, finding balance in my “running” has been difficult lately. But I’m working on it and just trying to remember to #runhappy !
If you ever master the girls locks situation let me know… I need help taming my beast and I’ve been trying for 27 years.
Loved this post… keep rockin’!
i always remember my dad trying to do my hair and i end up looking like a beiber. But i think you have skill. hair and balance. ;-)
Balance = taking deep breaths and naps. *and just wait til she starts showing you pics on pinterest of what kind of braids and hairdos she wants… Lots of deep breaths.
This is wonderful. My balance comes from my family and mainly my husband. He’s the rational one in the relationship. He always has a way of looking at the bright side and that brings me balance.
I consider it a win when I can get a clip in my daughter’s hair. She usually pulls it out later but she has mastered the act of brushing her hair out of her eyes so that’s also a win :)
LOVE your balance!!!!
I think I’m lucky that I had boys because I never mastered girls’ hairstyles. Though a can put my own hair in a French braid.
I actually wrote a post on balance a couple weeks ago. I’m still searching for balance, but while my life is hectic, I’m happy, my husband is happy, so I guess I’m doing okay.
My dad used to blow dry my hair…perfectly when I was a wee little FU :)
Love this. It’s amazing how just one hug from your kid(s) can make everything better, even when the day has been crappy or even when your kid(s) is the one driving you bonkers! I wouldn’t trade it. And girls hair? Thank goodness I have boys. I have to blow dry and comb my nieces’ hair sometimes and I can’t do it!
It’s good I ended up with boys – I can’t do girl hair and I am a girl LOL. Your daughter is adorable!
Such a sweet post! My husband is definitely my balance/what makes me happy. We’re both so busy, which makes us really appreciate our down time together.