Before heading out the door for a run this week, I reached for my ipod and, as usual, it was out of juice. So, what choice did I have, but to grab my hubby’s fully charged ipod just sitting there asking to be used! Listening to Dave’s ipod is always a treat for me, not just because it’s charged more often than mine, but because I love his playlist. I love it because… well, because it is just sooo…HIM! From Def Leopard and Journey’s Greatest hits, to stand-up comedy sketches from Jim Gaffigan and full sit-com downloads of Scrubs, I’m never quite sure what I am going to hear, but it’s always guaranteed to be entertaining!
Well, this particular day was no exception, a mile or so into my run, the Relient K song, “Who I am hates who I’ve been” started playing. Everyone should have this song on their playlist…It’s fast and will make you run faster! It’s a fact. I dare you to challenge it! No, I double-dog dare you!! Click here.
Anyway, when the song ended, I immediately played it again and then again. The next couple times I played it, I actually listened to the words (this is where my mind started wondering, my thoughts got a little less coherent, and my run went by a lot faster). The lyrics made me think about a quote I recently read on my nephew’s Facebook page. It said, “Unless life hands you water and sugar, your lemonade is gonna suck!” I thought about all the things that can happen to us in life that “sour” our attitude, poison our behavior, and change the way we see ourselves. Sadly, many of life’s bitter experiences are totally out of our control and may actually be the result of another person’s selfish actions and decisions or the result of an unavoidable personal tragedy, or both. Regardless, it affects us and ultimately helps to shape us into the people who we are. That’s not always a bad thing, but it’s not always a good thing either. It makes me think that a little self-evaluation every now and then might not be a bad idea. You know, just to make sure we’re still loving ourselves…or at least liking ourselves (or not loving ourselves too much…whatever the case may be). This song was somewhat convicting to me. It made me stop (not literally...I was running after all) and ask myself “Who am I? Is this who I want to be? Or better yet…Is this who I was intended to be?”
I won’t go into the personal details of my answers (believe me, you wouldn’t want to read the details), I’ll just say, “who I am IS NOT who I’ve been and who I’ve been will take a second chance….” I was beautifully and wonderfully made…we all were. So, that’s how I want to see myself and that’s how I want others to see me. Thankfully, we get as many chances to change as we are brave enough to take. And, second chances are a good thing…a little bit like water or sugar...kind of like...
lemonade!
Great post and great song! One of the reasons I love running so much is that it is an activity I can do alone to just get lost in the songs and in my thoughts and truly reflect on where I've been, who I am and who I want to be. It’s funny that you’ve mentioned lemonade because that old saying, ‘when life hands you lemons, make lemonade’ has a really deep, personal meaning to me. I remember the day I first heard that saying. I don’t remember the exact circumstances but I do remember my 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Martin, saying it. I thought it was words of brilliance! Ms. Martin, my favorite teacher of all time, was in a wheelchair. I think that also added to my deep realization that times can be tough for anyone and it’s the person’s outlook on the events of their life that will get them through it. From that day forward, anytime I had a rough time, I would remember Ms. Martin and those words. There are some very bitter things that happened in my life but I think I became a stronger person for them. Still, I sometimes find myself playing the ‘what if’ game and questioning if my life had went down a different path would I be the same person. Then I realize that along that path I have met some amazing people, that perhaps I would not have met, who have inspired me (probably more than they realized) and helped to shape the best parts of me. I am a constant work in progress and I always want to be. Learning and growing is such a wonderful part of life.
ReplyDeleteOk, first of all I love this. I have also recently had this epiphany of "what do I think of my life" and I made small changed and I feel better and more like the REAL ME then I ever have before. I think it was honestly the place in life I was in and the people I was around that really made a difference in my "person." I love the song, I am downloading it as I type this... another song I love which is kind of the opposite motivation is called "I made it" by Kevin Rudolf. One of the lines is "I used to dream about the life I am living now..." I hear this and thing yes... I really am.
ReplyDeleteyou go girl! PS... can we plan on meeting in Eugene for this wonderful Eugene marathon you want to run again and me for the first time?
pss.... you won my contest so I need your address!see my blog
Great post Kristin! I think it's a great testament both to the power of running and music. It really is amazing how a song or lyric can give you that extra boost through a tough part of a run or inspire you to consider life matters in a different light.
ReplyDeleteI also often use my runs as time to be focused in my own thoughts and work through current problems or brainstorm goals or ideas for the future. Ironically, while I'm running seems to be the only time I slow down enough in life to do so.
Since I'm super-guilty of forgetting to charge my nano on a regular basis, I've certainly borrowed iPods from others and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's an easy way to shake up your usual playlist and you may just find your new favorite power song that way. :)