I've heard there are troubles of more than one kind; some come from ahead, and some come from behind. But I've brought a big bat. I'm all ready, you see; now my troubles are going to have troubles with me! ~ Dr. Seuss
Everyday I work very hard to make sure that I am the best version of myself...that often means assessing how I spent the day before...what do I need to work on? What could I have done differently? What worked? What didn't work? I ask myself some pretty hard hitting questions...I have that kind of relationship with myself. I often think it comes from spending so many hours and miles with myself training for marathons...I have a very open and strong belief in who I am as a person, athlete, daughter, sister, friend, girlfriend, and human. And in fact, my relationships with others work like this as well...I am an honest person and I surround myself with good honest individuals who bring wonderful things to my life. And just as I assess myself; I assess my relationships...and when they are not working I change them as well (thankfully at this moment in my life I am surrounded by the best of the best...an all star lineup really...of people who assist in making me the best version of myself!). None of this is easy though...it takes a constant maintenance of everything in my life, strong communication skills, honesty, an ability to embrace change, sincerity, courage, determination, and being prepared to handle life's challenges. I work very hard on the last skill...being prepared! What can I say...I am a planner. Every Thursday I sit down and I plan out my next week! I have to have an overview of what's happening...which may sound very inflexible...but what I have found is that it leaves me lots of room to both get everything done and experience all that life has to offer. As my favorite person always says...there is time enough for everything. And I find this to be so true...especially with just a little bit of planning! I can't neglect one aspect of my life for another, but I can make sure that everything is in balance. Each evening I sit down with my to do list for the next day...I review what needs to be done and I set my plan in place. This plan includes everything from picking up the house, making lunches for the day, spending time with my family and friends, working out, going to work, coaching, etc. It's a full and wonderful life! Plus I share this crazy life with someone else now...and balance, communication and planning are key! Each week I also make a grocery list...and plan a menu for the week. This ensures that we (I know I know...I just went from I to we...but I feed a few people :)) eat healthy (including the dog :)) and helps us not spend so much money eating out...eating out gets to be for the fun of it...not because we don't have any food! (It's funny...as I sit at Starbucks writing this I am talking to Mike about the grocery list...and our week (updating those calendars)). I plan for all seven days...breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between. Don't get me wrong...this takes a good hour...but its so worth it when I get in and out of the grocery store with everything that we need for the week. I then typically spend an hour or two in the kitchen on a Friday night prepping for the week. I wash the fruit and veggies, cut some up for easy access, boil some chicken (its yummy with BBQ sauce), throw a soup in the crock pot, etc. Really I do anything that makes the week a bit easier...we are busy and we LOVE to be outside playing, getting things done, and living life...plus we run and are ALWAYS hungry...and spending two hours in the kitchen each week gives us this ability! Its also easier and much more fun in the summer...fruit and veggies galore!! I find that trying to be ready for anything gives us the ability to do EVERYTHING...and that is what its all about! We get to be out and about...and spending as much time playing as we possibly can! It's not always easy...and I don't always feel like planning and preparing...but once it's done...I am so thankful for what it brings me. I am ready for anything...I can handle everything...and I (we) have an awesome life!
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