I do some of my best thinking while running. If I don't solve world peace while running, then it will happen while I am in the shower or lying in bed, trying (and failing) to fall asleep. Yesterday's brilliance happened when I should have been sleeping. As I was staring at the dark ceiling, I realized I have a problem with one of the Ten Commandments. You know that one that says not to covet. Me = guilty.
Unfortunately we live in a culture of me, me, me and more, more, more. Raising kids in that culture is hard enough. But just because I am aware of the pressure and influences they face and will do everything I can to teach them gratitude and self worth, my awareness doesn't mean I am immune.
I thought about how blessed I am in so many ways (especially the ways that really count, such as my health, beautiful and healthy children, an amazing spouse, a roof over our head, food on our table) and knew my covetousness is not healthy. Probably normal, but still not good.
Then came the brilliance. Maybe some of that jealousy and want could be good in the right dose. I won't even start on the list of non-running covets in my life. I wouldn't want to tarnish the perfect image you all have of me (yes, I am laughing out loud as I type that). Instead, let's just touch on my runner envy.
All those fast runners out there (let's not even start on the Boston qualifiers)? Jealous. Instead of just letting myself be jealous, I am going to do what I can to improve my running. It make take years or it may not ever happen, but there is no point in sitting around wishing I could run a lot faster. Awesome abs? Some serious coveting. Even though I actually am already trying to create some improvement in this area, I am going to try to stop being so envious and instead use people like EMZ, Beth and Morgan the Redhead and their glorious abs as motivation.
Like I said, I am just touching on my runner envy. But all that brilliance results in lack of sleep, so it hasn't turned into the clever (and coherent) blog post I imagined last night. So, I'll just hope you get my general drift. Now it's time to clean up from dinner, get the girls to bed, and hit the treadmill to work up some more brilliance.
*Image courtesy of athlonelite.com
Unfortunately we live in a culture of me, me, me and more, more, more. Raising kids in that culture is hard enough. But just because I am aware of the pressure and influences they face and will do everything I can to teach them gratitude and self worth, my awareness doesn't mean I am immune.
I thought about how blessed I am in so many ways (especially the ways that really count, such as my health, beautiful and healthy children, an amazing spouse, a roof over our head, food on our table) and knew my covetousness is not healthy. Probably normal, but still not good.
Then came the brilliance. Maybe some of that jealousy and want could be good in the right dose. I won't even start on the list of non-running covets in my life. I wouldn't want to tarnish the perfect image you all have of me (yes, I am laughing out loud as I type that). Instead, let's just touch on my runner envy.All those fast runners out there (let's not even start on the Boston qualifiers)? Jealous. Instead of just letting myself be jealous, I am going to do what I can to improve my running. It make take years or it may not ever happen, but there is no point in sitting around wishing I could run a lot faster. Awesome abs? Some serious coveting. Even though I actually am already trying to create some improvement in this area, I am going to try to stop being so envious and instead use people like EMZ, Beth and Morgan the Redhead and their glorious abs as motivation.
Like I said, I am just touching on my runner envy. But all that brilliance results in lack of sleep, so it hasn't turned into the clever (and coherent) blog post I imagined last night. So, I'll just hope you get my general drift. Now it's time to clean up from dinner, get the girls to bed, and hit the treadmill to work up some more brilliance.
*Image courtesy of athlonelite.com
I so get your drift! In fact I just did a post similar to this one the other day. I'm working on it and your working on it and that's all that matters.
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ReplyDeleteCute post! Runner Envy-it's always there at some level! I too am slightly envious of those abs-ha! Now, should I let them motivate me or just continue to look at and read about them while drinking my coffee here(with cream) ....Hope the treadmill went well!
ReplyDeleteGirl! Did you see EMZ's profile picture? She has got some serious abs and long legs. :)
ReplyDeleteGood post.
Hey thanks for the shout out to my abs. From where I'm sitting, you have nothing to be envious about my friend. You are perfect just as you are.
ReplyDeleteEven the fastest runners have runner's envy - I think it's what thrives us to be faster :). You will get faster if you keep up the speedwork, just takes time!! And those abs will come, too...why does that dang Halloween candy have to come and slow this process down!!?? :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely thing we all have a little bit of that in us! :0)
ReplyDeleteGreat post - Thank you for putting it out there! I'm going to do a bit of thinking on this myself tonight... ;)
ReplyDeleteRunner's Envy - We all got it. For instance I wish I looked like a Barbie when I ran. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh - you have gone from "coveting" to "using!" Sigh...
ReplyDeleteI got your "drift" hehe! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteOh, man - I am guilty of some serious runner envy. Mostly pace envy, but sometimes "pulled-together runner chick" envy - because I am anything but! Glad to hear I'm not alone in that!
ReplyDeleteIt's tough to be beautiful AND have perfect abs. I know that struggle very well.
ReplyDeleteI'd add to your list of blessings and include your body, which has run marathons and thus can pretty much do anything you want. But, if you need reassurance, ask your hubby and kids. I bet they'd be able to explain that you're the most beautiful woman in the world. And they'd probably appreciate it, if you dedicated more of your restless moments to that little issue of world peace.