The daily run

We have moved. Not the kind of planned move full of giddy anticipation, excitement and wonder of the next chapter in our lives, but a forced, lost my job and gotta get out of dodge move. This type of move doesn't allow for a pity party or even to be very angry. It requires one quick decision after another. The down and dirty, make it up as you go, whirlwind kind decisions that call for you to move  and move quickly.
Wrought with uncertainty, forced to quickly bend your mind around one small goal after another so progress continues. There are a lot of moving parts; packing, finding boxes, truck rental, truck loading, address changes, finding more boxes, tying up loose ends, celebrating Christmas on the fly, new school registration, truck loading, house cleaning and finding more F*ing boxes.
The process volleyed between stressful, exhausting and nerve wracking in the morning. Then spells of productivity, reflection and more stress in the afternoon. Tears were shed, arguments had, hugs given and goodbyes said. Then finally, driving away from it all.
It is a sad time but a low-grade crisis in the grand scheme of things. If you are capable of rearranging things in your mind and separate the negative, the experience is full of opportunity. I was reminded of a sign on the wall at Newbury Comics in Boston that I always thought funny "All dates can change, so can you." So we have, we had to.
My daily run helped me see the opportunity in the change. It allowed me to close the book on what had been. Running each familiar route one last time encouraged me to be as positive as I could despite the circumstances. Not all at once but slowly, as the miles ticked off. It allowed me to work through the emotions of the situation and to be present so I could get the job done.

Now as we adjust to our new surroundings my daily run continues to provide solace. I have explored new territory. Discovered new trails and established new routes. It has allowed time for me to realign priorities and goals and strive to move forward. To participate with my families adjustment when they need me. I am not going to lie, this move has been a challenge. In fact it has sucked! But, a challenge made just a little easier with a daily run.

Bring on another year!

Many appear relieved to have 2016 behind us. There has been a lot of focus on the tragedies that shook our morality and sense of security this year. The uncertainty of the geo-political climate and the unpredictability of our own political landscape. Focus on how overwhelming and difficult things have been, are and will be in these trying times. The media, periodicals, blogs, social media our own homes seem to perpetuate the negative story. We are bombarded with this negativity then jump right on to the back of the conga line consumed by it, fueling its propagation. Its crazy!! Case and point, the cashier who helped me at Starbucks the other morning responded when I said Happy New Year that "2017 could not get here fast enough," and that she hoped "it would be better than 2016, it had been a shitty year" her co-worker responded "true that." Happy New Year would have been an ideal reply, I thought. I could not help but wonder that the quality of her year is at least partially up to her, isn't it?
I am not saying that these concerns are not valid, some crazy things have happened. Nor am I waving aside any hardship or loss anyone has suffered this year or ever. It just seems that an inordinate amount of time is being spent on the tragedies and the unpredictability of life and not enough time on right now, the good things.
I believe that adventuring into the unknown is part of every journey. Rolling into a new year is the same thing, you can only deal with what is now, this second, minute, hour, this day. There will be challenges, struggles even tragedies, but to assume that is all that is in store for you is "CRAZY." Its inviting the negative story to seep into and flood your reality. Why do that to yourself? I thought of Vivian Greene's quote:

I prefer to dance in the rain. This is exactly why I love to get outside. To run further than I have run, bike further than I have biked, to test myself, force myself to just worry about the next step, the next hill, the next intersection. To see whats around the corner and beyond. To reach the top of a climb, look out as the horizon unfolds in front of me, endless. Just as the possibilities in front of you. Just as the choices you make. I had some shitty things to deal with in 2016 but man I had some wonderful things happen too. You know what? I think 2017 is going to be AWESOME! Yours will be too!