Today’s Tuesdays on the Run theme is “Thankful”.
I’ve had a surprisingly hard time writing this post. Not because I have nothing to be thankful for. I do. I have a wonderful husband, two boys who only occasionally drive me crazy, a loving extended family, a nice home, food on the table… Heck, I could write a whole post just about how thankful I am for running. But something else has been struggling to be put down on paper, so here I am at nearly midnight, free-writing a post.
My life has not gone as “planned”. If you’d asked me in my early 20s, if I wanted to spend my life in the DC area, I would have said absolutely not. If you’d asked me in my mid-20s if I ever thought I’d have kids, I would have said no. If you’d asked me in my late 20s what my perfect family looked like, it would have been a boy and a girl, exactly two years apart. There would be no mention of running, no mention of leaving my career, no mention of any of the choices I’ve made.
And yet, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be and incredibly thankful to be here.
As we head towards 2018, there are many choices and changes on the horizon. Some of them are choices I’m making, some of them are things outside my control. While I will work on goals and race plans for the next year, I envision a lot more fluidity and flexibility. I may race in a new state. Or I may not. I don’t even currently have a half marathon on the books for 2018! Add in my approaching 10 year blogiversary and I feel like I’m heading for a some changes. I hope you’ll stick around for the ride.
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Its so weird how we can have these plans for our lives and then end up in a completely different direction. I never thought I would live in Maryland, and how I don’t really see myself leaving. Looking forward to seeing what changes the new years brings for you!
I never meant to move to the DC area and now I’ve been here for more than 20 years.
Change is exciting!! Can’t wait to see where you are headed in 2018.
There are many things in my life that have not gone the way I planned — like ending up living back here in NY, for instance. That’s life, I guess.
I have no races on the calendar for 2018. A plan is beginning to come into focus, but there’s nothing definite yet. I guess that’s life, too.
And I didn’t even look at the subject, but hey, I actually managed to stay on subject for once. 🙂
It’s funny how sometimes our life is dictated by the choices we make but other times we have no control. As a control freak myself, your post made me think about my life and how much of where I am today is from my choice or things out of my control. It’s hard to say! I’m inclined to say choice because nothing in my life is “permanent” so if I truly wasn’t happy with something I could change it. Not that it would be easy… like if I wanted to switch careers, that would be BIG, but I could if I really wanted to. But I’m happy with my choices so far.
True – you can always make changes, but sometimes the repercussions of those changes would be huge. Luckily, I’m pretty happy where I’ve ended up.
I love your take on this–as I stumble into “old age”, I think about this a lot. What if…I hadn’t married my guy? What if… we lived somewhere else? I do believe everything happens for a reason and I’m very thankful that my life took the path it is, bumps and all.
I look back and think “what if I hadn’t stopped by the party that night?” My whole life would have been different…
I think if I’ve learned anything, it’s that you can’t really “plan” out your life. Cheers to the future and the new adventures it holds!
Thanks! Hopefully next year will include another meetup with you and some other bloggers.
Everything happens for a reason, and change can be a good thing.
I’m actually a huge fan of change. I get bored easily LOL.
After we moved to Michigan (in 1995…with just one child, who was 1-year old at the time), I tough I’d found heaven and never wanted or envisioned leaving. Ever. Fast forward to 9-11…we’d added two other kiddos to the family roster and realized we needed to be closer to our home base, Iowa. It was tough leaving our friends, our perfect house of seven years, a neighborhood school, and a Target 2-minutes from my driveway. But…everything worked out well. Small town living really has its perks, and being closer to family has been great (most of the time LOL). It’s crazy how things usually work out for the better.I’m eager to see what’s on tap for you in 2018!
We bought our house as our “starter house” about then. We are still in it with two kids, a cat, and a gecko. I never ever expected that LOL.
Hmm, now I’m really curious! I like your positive attitude though.
We’ll just have to meet for coffee LOL.
It’s so strange where life takes us.
I never thought I would get divorced but it led me to tennis which led to a new husband, 2 stepsons and to RUNNING.
Looking forward to hearing about your plans for 2018.
Exactly.
And thanks.
Oh my, I think most of us can honestly say that we are not where we thought we’d be or doing what we thought we’d be doing. I can certainly say that my life took a drastic turn in my 40s, some of it was my own choice, but not a choice I ever thought I’d make …and you know what? I can’t imagine my life now if I had not made that choice! Life is definitely a roller coaster, filled with twists and turns, ups and downs …but it always comes full circle. Enjoy the ride! Happy Thanksgiving Erica!
Yeah, there are definitely a few places where my choice definitely changed the path I was on. I don’t regret any of them, but it’s funny to look back and think “yep, that choice right there was life changing.”
I don’t think anybody’s life ever really goes as “planned.” That’s what makes it fun, right? lol 2018 is definitely going to be an interesting year over here, too. Looking forward to seeing what’s in store for you!
Thanks! Definitely have some good things going on…
I never make a plan because things change so much. If anyone had told me I’d move to Dallas after graduating from college, I would’ve said they were crazy. Same thing if someone had said I’d be running long distance. I know choices and opportunities come up and I can’t predict what they will be.
I’m definitely a planner, but I’m also good at rolling with it if things change LOL.
It is amazing how we do end up right where we should be at just the right time. Happy Thanksgiving
Thanks, hope you had a lovely holiday.
It’s so true that life can really take you by surprise. I definitely didn’t think I’d be in my life where I am, but I’m so grateful for it!
Lots of things don’t work out the way we planned but exactly the way they are supposed to! If you asked me in my 20s what my life would look like now, I probably would have said I’d be married, living in the northeast somewhere, working for the behavioral science unit of the FBI. However, none of that is true, but I absolutely love my life! So I think we end up exactly where we are supposed to be, even if its not what we originally envisioned. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Yep, I have few regrets.
I hope most of your upcoming changes are good, and if they aren’t, that you will be able to roll with the punches.
Thanks. Some good stuff, some life stuff. Just lots of balls in the air.