My cheese for 2017 is this: …

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Bo

Two of my favourite bloggers shared their “word” for 2017 here and here. Even if you’re not into making a list of New Year’s resolutions, it’s important to have goals or an idea of where you’re headed for the year. So seeing their two bold words got me thinking…

If 2016 showed the world anything, it was to expect the unexpected. Be ready for change because, as the cheesy saying goes, the only constant is change.

charles-darwin-change-quote

Technology, environmental trends and even politics are all changing the way we do things and how we live our lives. We have become a society constantly dependent on the ‘next big thing’ and we have limited patience waiting for what that is. I suspect it’s only going to get worse and unless you know how to deal the changes coming at you, it’ll be another stressful year like 2016 was.

The ability to be able to adapt to these changes is what I see as survival. Be it at home, at work and within myself. It requires learning new skills in lightning fast time. It means not stagnating at work. Being relevant is key and allows for constant re-inventing of who I am.

That’s pretty exciting. You can be anything you want and do almost anything you set your sights on in 2017! Expect the unexpected! Be prepared to change! And if you do, the world is your oyster (gosh, stop with the cheese Bron!).

It’s got me thinking… maybe I should study this year. Nothing too serious, but I’ve been itching to do a writing course. Yup, that’s it. I’ve decided and now super excited!

How about you? What’s the first thing that springs to mind? Or if it’s not a thought or quote, what’s your word for 2017?

I switched off

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Bo

I switched off on purpose this week and didn’t feel like doing much. Tomorrow is already Friday.

It started on Monday when Annie was diagnosed with a tumour on her adrenal gland. Right now we’re waiting for the vet to let us know what the best treatment will be to prepare her for surgery.

Grizzly bear Then KK came down with manful. He was planning on running his Two Oceans qualifying marathon on Sunday so this has really put a damper on things.

My training suffered the most. I didn’t run. I skipped track. I didn’t feel like gym. Or spinning.

I headed straight home from work, made supper, packed lunches and got both KK and Annie into bed as early as I could.

I’ve watched stupid afternoon shows on TV. I’ve caught 10 minute kitty naps while supper cooked. I started reading a new book.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve loved it. I haven’t felt guilty at all. I think we all get “those” days. Days when we just want a break from it all. A brain break. A body break. A training break. Just time to let go…Time to breathe.

They’re always saying that it’s easy to find time to train, to go to gym, to do a hobby. But this means for most evenings, I’m only getting home after 7pm. I never find time in the week to just veg.

Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re thinking (especially my running friends). And yes, I can feel my body is getting edgy and I need to get back into my routine. I’ll snap out of it soon, I will.

But for now… couch time.

(Image source: http://www.greatbigcanvas.com/ via Pinterest)

Lost

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Bo

I got lost. I was running with a bunch of other runners, I had a map in my hand. But I got lost. What started as a relaxed, peaceful run turned ugly but it has made me reflect on my attitude these past few weeks.

When my running friend informed me that she would not be able to run, I still decided to head out with the rest of the running group, knowing full well that they were all way faster than me and would most probably run off after the first km. I still thought I was fine. Map in hand. Off I went.

It was when I got passed 7.5kms that I started to worry. Where was the turnaround point? Was the map right? Why was I stuck on such a busy main street? Where were the other runners? I couldn’t see any of them so I decided I’d better head back the same way I’d come. But somehow, I got it wrong. I took a wrong turn and landed up in the dodgiest of streets.

My gut told me things weren’t right. I suddenly felt scared, alone and incredibly vulnerable. All I wanted to do was cry. I started to blame others; the faster runners for not waiting, KK for not being with me; my gammy knee which had started to ache; pretty much everyone got a swearing. But most of all I blamed myself. I hated that I found myself in that helpless situation. I hated the fact that I ran so slowly and couldn’t keep up with anyone else. I hated running and I had no idea where I was going.

It’s been two weeks since the incident and I’ve spent lots of time reflecting on that day. A lot of what I went through feels so familiar to how I’m feeling at the moment. I’m lost. I don’t know if it’s just the end of the year fatigue setting in, but I’m not myself.

It feels as if I’m still out there on those streets with my body filled with anguish and confusion. It feels as if nothing is familiar. The more I run, the less I see. The faster I go, the further everything feels. I’m not myself and my map is not helping me. I’m blaming everyone else for my lose of direction. I’m irritated with everyone, including myself.

I’ve lost sight of the goal. I’m lost. I need to find my passion again and I’m glad I’ve stopped to realise it now before it’s too late. Instead of blaming and allowing the situation to overwhelm me, I need to take back control.

I took this beautiful pic on my long run on Sunday, a week after I got lost. I stopped to appreciate things along the way.

This past Sunday I went out for a long run. Compared to the previous week, my head was right. I was prepared. I loved my run. Every single minute of it.

The green vase is empty

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Bo

For my birthday last year, you gave me the most exquisite green vase. It’s not something I would’ve bought myself but I fell in love with it immediately. What’s particularly special about it is the beautiful bird perched on the top of the lid. It sits on the table in my front entrance hall and is a daily reminder of how precious friendship and life is.

Every so often, I open the vase and look inside. I don’t know what I’m expecting to find in there. It’s empty. You’re gone. It’s been 8 months already.

Unlike the empty vase, I’ve been filling up inside with news. I have so many stories to share and issues that need discussing and problems which need your advice… but you’re not there. You’re still gone.

Some days I feel like I’m bursting and only you will understand. Some days I worry that there’s going to be too much news and I won’t know what to do with it all. I need to tell you and I can’t move on unless you know what’s happening and can tell me that it’ll all be okay. But there’s a silence…an emptiness.

I opened the vase up tonight, and looked inside. It’s still empty. I miss you so much. I love my vase.

Happy Birthday Conrad.