11-8-13= 40
Yeah, I quietly hit my 40th birthday this month.
I’m not sad about it, but rather, I’m reflective with a feeling of renewal. As
far as I see it, my 30s were a learning experience but I know I still have a
lot of learning experiences to enter into my life.
My 40s will be a life experience to make the 2nd
half of my life grand. I gained experience (and accomplished quite a bit) in my
30s that makes me feel ‘seasoned’. Life changes that happened throughout the
decade compounded with the flighty experience that was my 20s, and I know there’s
more out there for me beginning in my 40s.
The 20s ain’t got nothing on my 30s. The 30s won’t have
nothing on my 40s. There’s a newfound sense of wisdom and conquest to seek for more
improvement. Improvement in business, success, personal and professional
relations (and growth), health, finally accomplishing those dreams I’ve had
years to refine. It’s all there but I’m
being selective as to what is actually important enough for my time.
It’s hard to explain, but it’s a new approach to what I do
and what is important to me on a daily basis. I only have a certain level of
capacity and time in my daily life and brain, and I’m not going to waste it on
stuff that’s not important to me. Shoving out the negative juju because it’s
not important. Life’s too short to spend time thinking about or fixating on the
negative. Whether, it’s negative people, situations, politics, etc. In my
corner of the world there is no room for negative vibes!
As a mom whose life has revolved around her family for over
the past decade or so, I feel it’s time to ‘give a little’ and let my birds
spread their wings and shift my personal focus inward a bit. It’s time for me. I
love my family but it’s time for mama time. Mama selfish time.
I found trail running (and other fitness outlets) in my 30s.
I even made it my profession for a while (fitness training) but grew out of it
and wanted something more out of life. Different experiences.
The workouts and runs I do now have a slightly different
approach. The same in that I am a ‘veteran’ at the activities, but different in
that the focus is even deeper. My trail running is my zen. My escape. My
therapy. Always has been since step one. Trail running is something that I have
an interesting and healthy relationship with, over and over again. But now I
feel a deeper approach beginning with that first step on the earthly miles
every time I run. Deeper in that I am even more appreciative of my ability to
run the trails and do the activities I do. Appreciative in that, although I’m
not where I thought I would be at age 40, I’m still unstoppable and will continue
set and reach my goals. Just with better clarity and purpose.
I developed a new approach with my breathing when I run,
when I’m feeling stressed or nervous, when I’m on the mat, or on the platform. When
I inhale I say to myself, ‘I am’ and when I exhale I say to myself, ‘at peace’.
Depending on what I am doing at that moment depends on how long each breath is
but typically the exhale is 1-2 counts slower. Try it. Whenever I catch my breath
when I’m running and getting off pace I resort back to inhale/exhale ‘I am/at
peace’ mantra. This technique has proven
helpful over and over as I’m also breathing more from my diaphragm/belly than
my ‘upper lungs’. Great for an asthmatic like me!
In addition to breathing consider this approach and see how
it works for you: thank your body. Thank the individual parts for all that they
do and all they endure. Connect with yourself spiritually and your body will
thank you.
Peace, love, and trails.
Happy trails!
~Cat~
