So here I was…divorced, lonely, not happy with who I was. I thought over everything time and time again and nothing made anything better. Thinking only lets you dwell which I love and hate to do. So I was browsing facebook one day and I just happened to see photos of a friend who had completed a 5k run with her husband. It was the Run For Your Lives run and I thought it looked awesome! I, myself, am NOT a runner however, I was starting to get into running that past summer but it all changed after I moved, started a new job, started school back up, and just got busy.
After seeing their smiling faces and photos I couldn’t help but try to think about what makes me happy. Sure, there is my son who always makes me happy but what do I do for myself that makes me happy? I couldn’t come up with anything. There wasn’t one thing I could think of that I did for myself that I could say truly makes me happy and right then and there is when I decided it was time to stop dwelling and start living again. I was a happy, constantly moving person before my divorce so I became determined to find that part of me again.
I made the decision to start with being more active again so I started running at night after work. I ran until I couldn’t breathe and then ran some more. I signed up for two 5k runs which I felt was such an accomplishment for me actually putting a real effort in. I enjoyed them so much that I decided to sign up for another and from there was the coming of the new year. After doing the third run and thinking again about what I wanted for the future, I decided to make a goal for the new year. I am challenged myself to complete 23 runs in 2012. Yes, it was pricey. Yes, it did not allow me to sleep in on Saturdays/Sundays. But overall, I know I did not regret doing it all.
I got stronger and worked harder because it kept me distracted and focused and long before I even knew it, I had found a new and better love. I found self love. I continued running, making myself stronger, I was so proud of myself. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to get to where I am today. Happy, self loved, and constantly working on improving myself.
So I ask you, what are you selfishly doing today that makes YOU happy?
-Jeska