Sorry, I’m out being present. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you.
When was the last time you looked at something in utter awe? When was the last time you soaked in a moment with every ounce of your attention? Really think about that. Can you remember?
We’re often so busy racing from one activity to the next or planning what comes after the current moment that we’re not fully present. Part of us is here, and another part is multitasking inside our brains.
Well, I haven’t been doing that lately. It’s one of the reasons I’ve been silent the past week.
I’m consistently amazed by how much I can learn from a person who is only three months old. My sweet baby (aka Baby rUnladylike) looks at the world in awe and amazement. She looks at the simplest things like canned lighting, ceiling fans and swing mobiles in the same way I looked at the Eiffel Tower for the first time or my watch when I crossed the finish line of my last half Ironman faster than I thought was possible.
This is her looking at a tree. She reminds me every day of the beauty all around us and in the gift of every second we’ve got.
My point in sharing all of this with you is the simple reminder to celebrate the little wonders all around us. Be present. Put down the phone. Cancel the commitment that doesn’t really matter. Prioritize the important things in life. Look at more trees or mountains or people like this.
Perhaps I’m more sentimental because I returned to work this week after 12 glorious weeks of maternity leave. Every minute is precious, and my vision is clearer than it has ever been on what is most important. I’m not going to lie, this week has been hard and emotional. The free hours I have are more important than they ever were. Sometimes that means a run doesn’t happen in lieu of more baby snuggles. Sometimes that means I choose an extra hour of sleep over sharing all the awesome articles I have in the cue for you on elite warm-ups, calculating your nutrition intake, my renewed training approach and the latest on my post-baby body comeback. Sometimes it means just going for a walk with my husband and daughter. The rest of it can wait because it will be there when I’m ready.
On the days I’m silent, I’m out being present in my slightly brighter life.
Leave a message after the beep. 🙂
Comments
I’m so glad to read this. As a long term reader, and father of two, I was ‘worried’ sometimes when I read of your ambitions with your fitness. Admirable as they are, parenthood is the most wonderful thing you can do. I’m happy that this is proving to be the case for you too. Goals in life are a worthy pursuit. Children are life.
Hi Nick! Thanks so much for being a long-time reader and for your encouragement. I really appreciate it! We are so lucky to have Baby rUnladylike and being her mom has been the absolute best thing in the world. I don’t think parenthood and fitness are mutually exclusive. I’m my best for her when I’m my best self. I run and exercise as much as I can in the mornings before she wakes up now that I’m fully recovered from pregnancy and certainly plan to run a half marathon in the fall. Because I write almost exclusively about running and fitness, you guys mostly hear about that from me and not much about my everyday life as a mom. Running is just a small piece of my life, and no fitness goals would ever trump what’s truly important. I hope that typically shines through! 🙂 Thanks again! Hugs!
Yes, that’s it!
Love
Oh friend, I really love this post. Everything you’ve said is so very true – we are constantly on the go – going on to road to where? What about right now?
I feel that way a lot and I know the most important thing is family.
Bella is just beautiful – she gets prettier every week! Sending you lots of hugs on the transition back to work and settling into a new routine. I know you will be great. Lots of love to you friend! xo
Such true words! The other things can wait while we are being present with our family and friends. Perfect post and very timely as we enter the spring/ summer training periods. Enjoy your beautiful little one as much as you can. Time goes by so quickly and they are grown.