A recurring theme that came up this weekend very randomly for me is touched on by today's Momentum Monday quote.
On Saturday when I was running at Alki, I met up with a bunch of ladies that I was supposed to run with but that had arrived later than our departure time for the run. So my friend Erica and I ran on our own and she helped me along my 8 miles that day. So when I returned back to the cars and the ladies were all standing around talking about their plans for the day, we started talking about a sample sale that a bunch of them had gone to. Now the brand for the sample sale tends to make their clothing on the smaller side, so whatever size you normally wear you would have to size up in theirs. There were a couple of ladies there that were totally putting their figures down because they couldn't fit into the available sizes or even the size they usually wear. While I was standing there, secretly envious of their figure and thought they were bananas for talking down about how they looked. It's amazing how clothing sizing can tear down your self confidence and destroy your body image, it's just sad.
Another example is during a birthday party I was at on Saturday and there were tons of kids running around and acting crazy and the mom's were talking about pregnancy and bodies while being pregnant. As one soon-to-be mom was complaining about how she didn't want to put on weight because of how hard it is to take it off after pregnancy, there was another mom who isn't able to/or can't have kids anymore that desperately wants to be pregnant again, no matter how much weight she gains.
It is all about perspective. It may be traumatic or a huge inconvenience to you, but to someone else it may be a dream. To put it even more plainly, your ability to run one mile without stopping is the dream of someone who is just starting their journey. We all wish we could be someone else, to some extent, but why not revel in being yourself when all your struggles and trials have led you to this point where you are stronger, wiser and more capable than you were before? You have other people wishing they could be you and you don't even know it. So why not enjoy your triumphs and leave your wishes to progress.
Just what I needed to hear! I do this sometimes (I've even done it with you! You have run half marathons and are so inspiring to me!) and it really is best to remember that where I'm at in my journey is MINE. I own it, I need to enjoy it, and be proud of how far I have come and my own personal accomplishments! Most of the time I do a pretty good job of this, the most reminding is usually at races, when I'm comparing myself to other runners.
ReplyDeleteAwe...thank you Karen! You are inspiring to me, lady! I do the same with you. :)
DeleteIt's tough to sometimes honor your own accomplishments when you see others doing so well. You will eventually get there, but you're right, it's your journey, nobody elses'.
Thank you for this! I definitely went through my phase of being envious of other people. Now I'm happy with myself, even with all my quirks and flaws because it's what makes me, me. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you are because I think you're fabulous! All of our quirks and flaws and bumps in the road make us the fighters we are today.
DeleteGreat post.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time stopping by your blog and I wanted to say hi! What a great reminder to celebrate ourselves rather than being envious of others or wishing we were different. Something I could definitely remember each day!
ReplyDeleteKaren @karenlovestorun
Thank you for stopping by Karen and I hope you come by more often! I think this is something we all need to remind ourselves of at one time or another. So easy to get caught up in other people's lives and triumphs and forget about our own.
Delete