While I do not love harsh winters, one of the things I love about Wisconsin is the changing seasons. I love variety and there is something special about each season. The budding trees, newly blooming flowers, and promise of new beginnings each spring, cool summer nights looking at the stars and catching fire flies, chilly autumn evenings wrapped in a blanket with a hot apple cider, and the beauty of freshly fallen snow under the twinkling moonlight. This winter, however, seems to be an eternal one. Here were are in April with wind, snow, and ice attempting to crush our spirit. We can choose to let these unfortunate circumstances dictate our mood or we can choose to see the beauty and hold onto the promise that spring will come.
As we get older, we become more aware of how well our lives can parallel Mother Nature’s changing seasons. As it says in Ecclesiastes, “To everything there is a season.” We will have periods where the sunlight on our face feels warm and each days holds hope and promise. Change will happen and new beginnings may bring fear, uncertainty, but also excitement and beauty. Then, winter may come and we begin to slow down and trudge along, simply trying to survive until the snow melts. As I mentioned in my last post, my career path has been very long and there have been times where I’ve questioned my purpose and how I have ended up where I am today. But I hold on and keep striving because I know that, some day, I will have a job where I can be a fixture at a school and an asset to the team, a part of the “family.” It can be lonely filling in somewhere when you aren’t quite familiar with the culture and feel a bit like an outsider, despite the best intentions of others. I can choose to dwell on this feeling or I can choose to bring smiles, laughter, and encouragement whenever possible.
During the winters in my life, I like to think of the future and set goals for myself. I like to plan trips or find new challenges. During this eternal winter, my 50 Marathons in 50 states challenge has given me a fun outlet for daydreaming and planning. This year, I will tackle the “I” states: Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois. This may seem random, but next year, I hope to take on North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, and Washington. I found a race that looks really fun and could be a great anniversary trip for me and my husband. We celebrate 15 years of marriage this year, but will not be able to take our own vacation (though we do have a trip planned with my family). So, next year, for our “Sweet 16,” I dream of running the Jack and Jill Marathon. I love the Pacific Northwest and I also like the idea of running through a tunnel and along an old railroad. Plus, how can a coffee lover not like the idea of being near the birthplace of Starbuck’s?! “Go ahead, honey, go hike that trail. I”ll just be sitting here with my book and my latte.” I’m mostly kidding. Okay, I have carried on long enough. I share my writing because it is a positive release for me, so I hope it can be positive for you as well. I want to end with this quote, which could be a great mantra for making it through tough times:
“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger — something better, pushing right back.”
—-Albert Camus
Redefined Runner 