Imagine this scene: Christmas morning, wrapping paper everywhere, kids glowing with happiness, parents exhausted from the work involved in making it all happen. In an instant, all of your hard work has come to fruition, and it’s over. The kids are eating their breakfast discussing how wonderful Christmas is and how they wish it wouldn’t end. Coffee dribbling from parents’ mouths, they stare into one another eyes with desperation, as if to say, “Help, I’m so tired, please let me nap, please let this end.”
That was my husband and I the other day. Maybe that was the scene in your house as well. He and I try to give each other gifts, but honestly, there isn’t much either of us want or need. We make it mostly about the kids, so you can imagine how surprised I was when after the hustle of the morning ended, my husband quietly and gently asked if I had been on my website today. Of course I hadn’t, why should I, it’s Christmas, the last thing I want to think about is my blog. So when I said, “should I look at it?” and his response was, “yes,” I slowly walked over to my computer as if some sort of disaster had occurred.
Much to my surprise, I discovered that my husband had completely redesigned this site. I had been working with our graphic designer on logos, but I had no idea that my husband would have everything put together with a new theme. He smiled, and said, “Merry Christmas.” I’m so fortunate to have a husband who has the ability to do all of this.
I have been questioning whether or not to continue blogging, but so many wonderful opportunities keep coming my way. So many in fact, that I am reminding myself it’s ok to say, “no” and to always accept assignments that benefit and serve both my readers and my family in a positive way. Lately, I had been questioning if blogging was still for me, but what I have come to realize is that sometimes, things answer themselves on their own– you just need to be willing to listen.
After much reflection and journaling, I realize that RunWiki is a place for me to do what I love, to write and share my passion for running, my love of food, and to sort through life with the help and support of a community of friends that I have come to love and cherish. My goal this year is to think less about what others are doing, and get back to who I am. To care less about numbers, and more about the content I share. To focus more on readers and friends who clearly care, and social media outlets that are lifting me up, not wasting my time. Part of getting back to who I am is, getting to the heart of what this blog is. It’s a place for me to find the meaning of daily life, and I so often sort through those things while I run. This is where I share those experiences.
In my new logo, there is a lotus flower (my friend Bry, lovingly said it looks like a pot leaf) Hey, it’s legal now– I digress… So, the lotus flower grows and thrives in mud and sludge. I find it’s a beautiful symbol of life. Some of the most delightfully surprising things emerge from circumstances that aren’t the most ideal. That brings to mind my friend Lisa’s post about rejection — I digress again. Then there is a heart on top of the lotus flower and a runner emerging. Running has always opened my heart and helped me sort through my many issues. My sister Kim suggested that I add the heart, and since she’s such a big part of mine, and it’s another symbol of this site, it was a no brainer.
Life has so much substance, and this is the place where I express that with you. I’m excited to continue blogging and share those thoughts with you. I hope you feel welcome and comfortable in my new space. Looking forward to making new, and nurturing old friendships through RunWiki this next year.
Tell me, how was your Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza or Festivus? What are you most looking forward to in 2015?
