… Next Week

I had lots of arguments with myself over those proclamations I made last week. Mostly they occurred at 5 am when I didn’t want to get out of bed. It ended up great though. I ran 7 out of 9 days, which is lots better than half-sleeping, stewing, and procrastinating for 7 of 9 mornings during my run time, which just makes me feel anxious and pissy by 11 am. I finished laundry early enough in the week that I only had one load left by Saturday, so I actually got to play a little this weekend with my kids and with friends! And, I wrote almost as much as I ran, which is a 10 fold improvement. I was LOTS happier too. When we make time for the things in our lives that give us joy, and pay attention to priorities, the work we have to do feels much less like drudgery.

I am not hitting all of my goals, but the point is I’m much closer to being in mental shape for the challenges of single parenting. We are not on a cake-walk; this takes stamina and fortitude, among a zillion other things. I’m much closer to paying off all of my debt, hugging my kids daily, blogging good stuff, having clean socks and underwear, and reaching out to others than before I made those big goals.

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
-Harriet Tubman

Hmmm, that quote is humbling… I’m not freeing slaves on the underground railroad. I’m not making big social statements that will impact entire generations to come. I’m not going to be remembered in 100 years. But I am doing really important work- raising kids is the most important work I will do with my life. I am changing the world, starting with 2 teenagers. I broke the abuse cycle by raising them without their dad. I am changing the world, actually. Think about it– you are too!! You may have saved your kids from something or someone. You are teaching them to live differently than you grew up. You are changing your family tree too… We need to make lofty goals, dream big, and do our best job possible.