Lessons Learned

Today is my 49th birthday.  I’m not embarrassed to say that I love my birthday. I’m also not embarrassed to tell people my age. I’ll take every birthday I can get and wear them proudly. Because it’s my birthday, and I share it with Chuck Norris…you read that right, Chuck Norris, I decided that I would recap some of the things I’ve learned since this adventure began a little over two months ago.   So in no particular order:

1.  If you want to ensure you do something, tell a lot of people.  This is not new but I believe this is the first time I’ve really put it into practice.  One day, I was talking to my sister on the phone and I said I had to go and get on the treadmill.  She said, “I wish I could make myself do that.” Well, tell a bunch of people you are going to run a 5K and you can.

2.  I can run for 22 minutes straight.  That might not seem like a lot but, trust me when I speak for non-runners, that it feels like a long time.  The Couch to 5K program starts by alternating walking with jogging for small amounts of time that increase in duration.  Now, I just run, no walking breaks.  And I can do it. I am  decidedly a turtle on the course but slow and steady wins the race…or at least allows me to run without stopping.  If you are interested in starting to run, I highly recommend the Couch to 5K app.

3.  Just because your first cake from scratch turns out ok doesn’t mean your next one will.

4.  I’m delighted and embarrassed that people read the blog. It’s amazing how contradictory a single set of feelings can be. I work hard to make the posts relatable and hopefully enjoyable so why, when someone mentions they read it, do I feel like crawling under the covers. I’m incredibly honored that you read the blog even if I turn bright red if you talk to me about it. Please keep reading AND telling me you read it.

5.  Get out of your own way.  Putting yourself out there is scary.  I’m a private person.  Starting a blog and trying to honestly convey my thoughts and feelings about life is not really in my comfort zone.  I think it’s safe to say that feeling vulnerable or, more likely, avoiding feeling vulnerable is the cause of a lot of fear and anxiety.  While I’ve enjoyed writing each of the posts, when it’s time to push that publish button my inner critic goes into full gear. “Why would anyone want to read this?”  “You are embarrassing yourself.” “No one reads this anyway.” I’m sure you have a similar voice that speaks to you when you put yourself out there.  Stop listening to it.

Before you go…I also share a birthday with Carrie Underwood, my fellow Oklahoman; Martellus Bennett, a professional football player and owner of  The Imagination Agency which is dedicated to encouraging kids to pursue their dreams; and Jon Hamm-good looking AND funny!  Just to keep it real I feel compelled to mention that Osama bin Laden was also born on March 10.  Unfortunately that’s usually the way life works.  If you get Chuck, you also get Osama.