Many of you know I landed in San Diego last week just as the citywide blackout hit. It caused quite a scene of events. There was no power at the airport when we landed, so we were told we’d have to sit on the tarmac for a bit. It turned out to only be a few minutes and we were able to de-board via air-stairs. There were a ton of news crews in the airport and all over the city.

Later on, on the radio they were broadcasting from the airport, as it had completely shut down shortly after my landing. They interviewed a panic stricken women who frantically shared, “Yes, it’s crazy here at the airport. We had to get off our plane on the stairs!!!” I found myself wanting jump through the radio and shake her. . . and then educate her, “Ma’am, exiting a plane via stairs is not a disaster. It is not even an emergency. A disaster is when lives are at risk and people cannot get their basic needs met.” I hope this woman never has to face a true emergency. I don’t mean to downplay the blackout. Certainly, for some, it was a very serious situation. But those of us who de-boarded the plane via air-stairs fared just fine.

I was lucky enough to have a couple girlfriends come meet me at the airport so we could catch up before my meetings the next day (the reason for my trip). We went to the nearest hotel bar (all restaurants closed due to no power) for dinner and drinks. Which turned into just drinks, because we the kitchen ended up closing before we got done talking long enough to think about food. That’s how it is with girlfriends sometimes.

We sat there for 4 hours. We laughed. We cried. We knew we couldn’t leave because the city was gridlocked from the blackout. So we were “forced” to just sit and enjoy each other’s company. Around us were many people in similar situations. It was kind of crazy.

Our conversation took a turn as the sun went down and we were talking about some really deep and painful life events that have recently impacted us and people close to us. We talked about cancer, infidelity, aging parents, infertility, break ups, stillbirths. Yes, really, really intense conversation. At one point all three of us were sitting quietly in tears. And around us were a bunch of folks livin’ it up at the bar, because no one had anywhere to go. It was surreal.

While that time was surreal. It was also really precious. I asked my friends, “How did we get to this age/place where we all have lost something.” We all have been in significant pain of our own or significant pain from watching the grief of those around us. It seems in your twenties these issues seem so far away, as if they are things to only impact other people. Then all the sudden they begin to be part of your life and the lives of your closest friends and family. I guess that’s part of aging?

While it is horrible to have these things around you, it certainly forces you to count your blessings and focus on what you DO HAVE. Things that you used to complain about just become non-issues. You’re not going to complain about your husband’s annoying habits when your friend is going through a torturous break up or divorce. You’re not going to complain about money when your friend was just diagnosed with cancer. You’re not going to complain about feeling fat when your friend just lost a baby.

I have been thinking about my time with these friends all week. Monday, I put up a new blog post that inadvertently tied my experience with these friends. The blog post was, “This is Why You’re Fat.”

Fit Healthy Mom, Jessica, commented on my post, suggesting perhaps she has body struggles due to:

“Fear of failure…so silly, but so true. I think I compare myself to what everyone else is doing. Isn’t the point to get out there and do it?”

I thought this was such an honest response and one that rings true for so many women. We compare our bodies and our lives to other women. Not in a nice, flattering way. In a way where we degrade ourselves, noting who has better legs, flatter abs, better hair, cuter clothes, a nicer car, a bigger house, a more lucrative career. . . . . it goes on and on and on.

Here was my response to Jessica:

“STOP comparing. There will always be someone faster and someone slower than you, someone stronger and someone weaker than you. Get fit and stay fit for YOU and for the person it will make you! Over time you will become the person you are currently comparing yourself to (and you’ll realize it was silly to compare!)”

While my comments to Jessica were relative to weight loss, it speaks to everything in a Fit Healthy Mom’s life. There will always be people with way more than you and people with much less than you. More importantly, you never really know what the women who appear to “have it all” really have. Looks can be deceiving and outward perfection typically looks much different than what you might find on the inside.

So, instead of comparing yourself to moms who appear to “have it all”, think about living the life you want for your kids.

Instead of worrying about working out harder or longer than the person next to you,
SHOW UP AND SWEAT
without the slightest bit of concern with what the rest of the gym is doing.

Instead of not braving push ups, because you can’t do them on your toes,
BE GRACEFUL AND EFFICIENT
in your execution of push ups on your knees.

Instead of comparing your body to your skinny neighbor’s (yes, we all do that),
STAND TALL AND PROUD EVERYDAY
To show your kids that confidence kills (because it really, truly does!)

Instead of giving in to chocolate cake when you’re overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed, exhausted, make yourself a big salad to show your kids you are
MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY STRONG
and chocolate has nothing on you.

Instead of wishing you could trade lives with someone
VERBALIZE YOUR BLESSINGS EVERYDAY
so you never lose sight of what is really important.

You will always be able to find someone who’s life looks like a cake walk compared to yours. How you live your life and how you react to life’s curve balls will determine how strong and powerful you really are. It will show your kids how to live with strength and power and conviction. On those days where you may not feel so physically fit, check in with yourself. Where is your mental and emotional fitness? You must always be working on all three, some days one more than the others perhaps, but always all three to some degree.

And just as some days ARE NOT a cake walk, rest assured, there are moments of every day where there are MANY CAKES, if you look hard enough.

Comments

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments

• «Previous Post
• Next Post »

---