Taking Stock

This last week has been a time of deep reflection for me, and I'm sure for many of you too. I did a lot more looking back than I usually do. I'm generally ready to shove the past year out the door and get on with the next one. In my contemplation I realized I have learned a lot about myself this year that I think will really help me with the years to come. I'm anxious to see how these realizations will affect this next lag of the journey.
I am absolutely a lover of black and white. Black in my closet and white on my walls ;) but seriously I really thrive in an environment where there is only right and wrong with nothing in between the two. When there is clear definition like this everything is simplified and there is no room for insecurity, because it's either right or it's wrong! Unfortunately for me there is very little black and white in this world. We live in a compilation of colors that more often result in varying shades of gray than any other crisp definite color. This has been a huge eye opener for me especially on the parenting front. There are no constant variables, black or white. However there are some very opinionated people who feel very strongly about imposing their parenting paradigms. I feel like I have found peace and confidence in my right to raise my children according to my convictions and personal experience during my first year as a mom. I have also come to embrace these strong opinions with objectivity without immediately doubting my own parenting beliefs, because there is sometimes helpful information hidden in them.
It's pretty common knowledge that what you eat and exercise can have an impact on how you feel. This year I learned just how much it really does make a difference. It was probably made so apparent by all the crazy postnatal hormones. But nevertheless when I wasn't working out and eating a balanced diet...I was a lunatic... Apologies to my dear sweet husband.
So this next year I will try to use these lessons to help make life a little easier. As most of you know Wayne was a running machine last year, so this year I plan to run with him a little more. As a matter of fact I will be running the 5k race in the Boogie the Bridge, a local charity run on May 2nd. We'll see how that goes then who knows maybe I'll go for the tri-triathlon. Anyone care to join me?