“It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority.”
–Author Mandy Hale
A few weeks ago I was shopping for some clothes for my kids and along the way I saw a blanket that caught my eye. It was gray and white chevron print (which matches everything in my house) and it was super soft. The best part about it was that it was only $17! Bargain, right? Let me back up and tell you that all of the other people that live in my home, including my husband and the dog, have their own special designated blanket. This is a blanket they use to sleep with in bed, to watch TV on the couch, and anytime they want to just for overall comfort. I usually just grab a corner from whoever is willing to share. So I decided I deserved this blanket.
As soon as I got home and my kids saw the blanket, they immediately started asking for it and then proceeded to argue over it. Before you knew it my husband was sitting on the couch with MY new blanket. This went on for days and finally I stopped and thought…….This was supposed to be my blanket. It was supposed to be something for me and I have had it for days and I haven’t even used it! Right then a thought crossed my mind. As a mother and a wife we sacrifice so much and have very little time and very little things for ourselves. And this I thought….is EXACTLY why I run. It is the one and only thing in my life that is just for me. It is time alone, or time with friends….it’s time to think, get in shape, and decompress. It is time to better myself in more ways than one. I have a friend who recently started getting up early before sunrise and before her kids got up to walk with her dog for some exercise. She told me that she couldn’t believe how peaceful it was outside that time of morning. Those are my thoughts exactly, it is such a great way to start the day.
So when people ask me how I do it? How do I get up so early and work and have 4 kids? It is really me hanging on to the one and very important thing I do just for me. I deserve that and so does every parent out there. However I do have to say, I did decide that I was going to stand my ground and take back my blanket. (I deserve that too)….I am ok with an occasional trade, I can deal with a Cinderella blanket that is equally as soft. (It’s better than a little corner of a Minnie Mouse blanket).
Next up, Saturday October 11, is the Murfreesboro Half Marathon. I love this race because it is reasonably priced, flat, the shirt is always great, and I always go with a few of my favorite friends that I don’t get to spend enough time with. Another plus, Jim N Nicks usually had food at the finish line for the runners. They happen to have the best rolls in town. And if you know me, I judge a race heavily by the food at the end. Whatever motivates you right? I am looking forward to all of it…..food, fun, friends, and running. All things that I love. I saw this quote and it cracked me up, yet it was so true. I actually feel this way every time my alarm goes off at 4:30….EVERY TIME. But I get up any way and every single time it is worth it.