“I am a runner.” “I am a writer.” Words I have never spoken aloud. Why? I guess because I don’t truly believe them. Yet. I’m working on it, but it is still a work in progress. I am still a work in progress. What words have you never spoken aloud because you don’t truly believe them?
Running – I don’t run fast. I don’t run far. I don’t win medals. Yet, I do compete. With every step I take and every mile I run, I compete against myself. Every night I set my alarm to get up and run in the morning, giving myself a little pep talk that I can/will do it. Every morning, when the alarm goes off I give myself another pep talk that I can/will do it. It is hard to get out of bed. However, I face the terrain, push myself mile after mile, uphill, downhill, and back home. I run because I love the sense of accomplishment I feel when I’m done, not because I feel like a runner. I try to lose myself in my music, headphones on, drowning out the voices in my head and my heart that tell me I’m not a runner. Recently, I’ve acquired a new running partner. He doesn’t accompany me on every run, but when he does I find I run better. I still wear my headphones, but solely for the music. This little person beside me doesn’t allow me to believe I’m not a runner…even for a minute. When I run beside him, I am a runner.
Why? He is my inspiration. I want my son to believe he can do anything as well. I want the voices in his head and his heart to always tell him he can/he will. I want to be his inspiration.
Writing – I’m not a famous author. I haven’t been writing long. I started this blog only five months ago. I don’t have books sitting on bookstore shelves waiting to be purchased. Writing isn’t effortless to me. I have to carve out time to sit and let my thoughts find life on my computer screen. Even with interruptions, as my fingers hover over the keys I work to translate thoughts to keystrokes to full-blown ideas on the screen. I write because I love to write. I write because when I do I lose myself in my thoughts and my words. When I write, I drown out the voices in my head and my heart that tell me I am not a writer. I write because I love the sense of accomplishment I feel when I’m done, not because I feel like a writer. Recently, my daughter has decided she would like to write a book. She says she wants to be a writer like her mom. I watch her sit with her laptop, a faraway look on her sweet face, her fingers traveling over the keys bringing her own thoughts to life. This little person beside me doesn’t allow me to believe I’m not a writer…even for a minute. When I see myself through her eyes, I am a writer.
Why? She is my inspiration. I want her to believe she can do anything as well. I want the voices in her head and her heart to always tell her she can/she will. I want to be her inspiration.
An (unedited) excerpt from Olivia’s book:
It was an ordinary day. Taylor was in her room texting her friend, Hannah. “Want to come to my party tonight?” said Hannah. “Definitely, but I’ll have to ask my parents!” replied Taylor, so off she went down the stairs. She went into the kitchen to see if her mom was there. Sure enough there she was making tuna casserole. “Um mom?” said Taylor “Can I go to a party tonight?” “Absolutely not!” replied her mom “we are going to have a nice family dinner!” “But mom please?” said Taylor. “No and that is final!” said her mom. Taylor stormed off outside to think. “If I’m not at that party I’ll be a total loser!” thought Taylor. Just then a portal-like thing appeared right in front of her! Before she knew it she was inside of the portal! She screamed, cried, and whined for help! “Mom!” she cried, but no one could hear her! Just then, she fell onto a bed of grass and flowers, but she wasn’t alone.
Tons of villagers had heard some commotion, and wanted to see what was going on. The villagers were angry! They were holding pitch forks and torches. Taylor immediately got up and ran ( even though she had no idea where she was going ). She ran into the woods and cried for help. “Help! Mom! Save me!” she screamed, but no one came. She kept on running, but she tripped over the root of a rather large tree. She fell to the ground, but immediately got up and kept running even though she was hurt. She soon realized the villagers stopped at the beginning of the woods because those were the woods that belonged to “The Destructor”. Taylor stopped and sat down. Her leg was throbbing in pain. When she took a look at her leg it was bleeding heavily. She grabbed a leaf and wrapped it around her leg. She looked at the size of the leaf and wondered ” Where am I?” Taylor didn’t know what to think. As far as she knows she was just sucked into a portal, and ended up in a weird placed where there were angry villagers. She was very tired, so she decided to leave the thinking for tomorrow and go to sleep. She curled up right then and there and went to sleep, but little did she know that The Destructor was on his way towards her.
Taylor woke up and saw a little creature sitting by her leg. It was about as big as a puppy. It was very fluffy and looked like a very small mammoth! It had purple ears and legs with an aquamarine colored fur. Taylor stared at the little guy with curiosity. “Ok now this is just weird!” she wondered aloud. She thought for a moment. Then she realized “If I follow him I’m sure to find water and food!” Taylor had a little backpack that she always carried with her no matter where she was. She pulled out a little note pad and drew a sketch of the little animal. “Are you ok?” Taylor heard someone say. “Did you just say that?” Taylor asked the little creature. She looked up and saw someone, but it was no Destructor it was just a little boy. The little boy was wearing jeans, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and some sandals. He looked about six or seven. “Yes I’m fine, and who are you?” said Taylor. “I’m Peter, but the animals call me Pete!” Said the boy. “The animals?” said Taylor ( who thought the boy was insane and should just go home). ” I know what your thinking Taylor” said Peter. “You what?” said Taylor. “I’m not insane.” said Peter. ” I can read people’s and animal’s minds, and that is why I said the animals call me Pete” said Peter. ” Oh I’m so sorry Peter” said Taylor. ” Follow me!” said Peter. So Taylor packed up her things and followed Peter through the woods.
As Taylor followed Peter through the woods she saw old abandon houses, broken down factories that looked like they had never been opened, she even thought that she saw a sparkle behind a tree or two. In other words, these were not the woods you would want to be in when you are alone. “Are we almost there?” asked Taylor. ” I think so…” Peter trailed off. “what’s wrong?” asked Taylor. “I’m not sure we are safe here, I-I can feel it” said Peter. Just then something jumped out of the bushes and took Peter. Taylor screamed, “Peter!!! Don’t leave me here!” Peter didn’t answer. He couldn’t answer because he was so scared it was like the whole world froze itself. Taylor knew she didn’t have to save him. It wasn’t her responsibility anyway, but Peter reminded her of someone who she couldn’t quite remember the name of. Taylor didn’t have all day! She decided to run after that beast that took her friend. Was Peter her friend? He never really seemed like one, but in a way he did. As she ran she heard a scream, a scream so loud it could make you completely deaf. Taylor stopped. It was the sound of a screaming boy.
You should read “Wild Mind” by Natalie Goldberg. She talks about this very subject, both in terms of running and writing. Check it out.
I devour books! I’ll check it out! Thank you.
It’s interesting how we consider ourselves. My daughter wants to be a writer too. I love that. Great post.
I’ve heard from several writers (who are also moms) that their daughters want to be writers too. It’s so sweet! Thanks for stopping by.
No one can encourage like kids can. My little cousin once told me I should try out for American Idol and then made me play/sing “I’m Leavin’ on a Jet Plane” at least four times. 🙂 Though I have to say that my singing is nowhere near on par with your writing and running. Running 2.5 miles is nothing to turn your nose up at, and you are most definitely a writer, as is your cute daughter. Gotta keep that youthful imagination flowing! Thanks for a great post!
Let me break this to you gently…from reading your blogs, you ARE a writer AND from looking at your legs, you ARE a runner. Sorry! lol
Well, if I wasn’t already following you I would start now. You’re breaking all kinds of things to me today, starting with the fact that I will never be satisfied with a bowl of oatmeal because I’m not an ant. 😉 Thanks for stopping by! If I have any other doubts, I’ll be sure and send them your way!
Just stating facts, ma’am. lol
You are writer, runner and inspiring mom.
And parenting and inspiration should go hand in hand.
Great job on all counts!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Your words mean a lot to me! You know, it takes an inspiring mom to recognize another inspiring mom. 😉
Awwwwwwww, gosh. Shuffle. 🙂
I only thank GOD for you, keep writing, number 1 fan.
What??? You are competing in a marathon…you are definitely a “runner!” And….for goodness sake….you are absolutely a “writer!” But I know exactly what you mean….I’ve heard my daughter tell people that her Mom is an artist and I have never once called or would probably call myself that!
You’re so sweet. That wasn’t a marathon. It was a triathlon for beginners titled “Spa Girl Tri” so I only ran about 2.5 miles at the end there. It was still a cool feeling of accomplishment and I can say I’ve done a triathlon and not provide all the details. he he 😉
Your daughter calling you an artist, and you not being able to call yourself that is exactly what I’m talking about! Why do we do that? Let’s just own it! 🙂
Thought-provoking and inspiring!!
Thank you!
I’m so glad you posted a photo of you running with your son! It’s truly is an inspiration. Maybe you can give me a pep talk to start running again? I haven’t picked up the sport since I had kids. I miss it terribly.
By the way, my daughter loves to write too. She is always in her own world drafting new material. I guess we should consider it a compliment that our girls want to write like their moms. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery! 🙂
Just start walking even if you throw the little one in the stroller. Once it’s part of your day, it gets a tiny bit easier to actually do it. If you used to run, I bet you won’t walk for long…you’ll feel you have to run or it isn’t enough. At least that’s what happened to me. ha ha
I think it is the biggest compliment that our girls imitate us. Mine is almost 11, and she still wants to be just like me in so many ways. If that’s not motivation to be a better person, I don’t know what it is…;-)
First of all, I’m jealous of your amazing legs. Second of all, your daughter must get her talent from you 😉 Third of all, I need to run my fingers through your son’s hair and I mean that in the least creepy way. Just gorgeous hair on that kid!!!!!
LOL! Thanks for the compliments on all three counts! The fact that I found nothing creepy about any of them might make me a tad creepy. 😉
cute story what will ever happen to Peter? 🙂
To be continued…;-)
I love this post. And I now will be wondering what happened to Taylor and Peter the rest of the day. 🙂
Ha ha! I will have to post the next chapter as soon as she writes it. 😉 Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read!
No problem. I wrote all kinds of little stories when I was a kid. (She’s better than I was…and I’m jealous. lol.) I think it is great that you encourage her and that she encourages you. I love it.
loved it! simple, heartfelt, honest, touching, realistic. Just the way I like it!
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
Very nice post. I love your statements, “When I see myself through her eyes, I am a writer,” and “When I run beside him, I am a runner.” We are works in progress, and I too struggle with believing statements I make about myself. Thanks for the reminder! I find that sometimes, I have trust in the truth (I write on my blog, I run 3 days a week) rather than how I feel (man I really suck at this.)
I’ve had a crazy schedule this month and long for the times to “lose myself in my words” that you refer to. So maybe I’m a writer too, huh? Cheers!
Thank you Maya. You are absolutely right in the fact that we have to trust in what we actually accomplish, and not so much on the negative thoughts we allow ourselves. Seeing ourselves through our children’s eyes, and even the mere thought of how they might see us, is a huge motivating factor! Let’s embrace it! And, yes you are definitely a writer…and a runner too!
Awesome! Passion, inspiration, perserverance….what each one of us need to get us going and to keep us in motion. I love your sweet, little inspirations by the way. Too cute!
Those are all things we need to live, to follow our dreams, and to keep us moving. Thank you. My little inspirations sure pack a powerful impact on this momma. 😉
Well, if I may say so, you’ve achieved quite a bit here on your blog in five months for someone that doesn’t consider themselves a writer! 😉
Thank you Katie! I guess it’s just one of those things that don’t roll off the tongue very easily. 😉 I sure am glad to have started this blog, and entered such an amazing community of talented people! It is making a world of difference for me.