morning reflections with mazie

I’m sure many of you are familiar with the movie Happy Gilmore.  In that movie Adam Sandler’s character says “I’m a hockey player who’s playing golf today”.  I can relate, I often say I’m a weight lifter who is running today.  What does that mean?  I think originally it meant I only liked doing what I was good at, and if I wasn’t good at it or it was challenging then it wasn’t for me.  But I now believe it is better to have tried and failed then to have never tried at all.

I now start every morning like clockwork.  At 4:00 A.M. (yes, 4AM!) I’m out of bed, head downstairs to slam a glass of spark then I queue up my headphones with the latest Fight & the Kid or Joe Rogan podcast.  Lastly I get my girl Mazie (our German Shepherd dog) all leashed up, and we go out for a run.  At first this routine started as a way to get prepared for a race (and get Mazie some much needed exercise), but it has turned into my favorite part of the day.

As Mazie and I are putting in the miles, I have a lot of time laugh (at the hilarious podcasts I’m listening to) and think about all the things that are racing through my head, that I can’t articulate or I am too scared to say out loud.  Lately I have been doing a lot of reflecting on all of our families changes.

I am very thankful for my families support to help build our new business from the ground up.  It is exciting & frightening at the same time.  I know I have more passion and desire than knowledge (at this point) but I will always find the answer through hard work and dedication.  I’m looking forward to creating an atmosphere at my yet to be named Family Fitness Center, where everyone is welcomed and no one is judged.

Although we are transitioning from a double to a single family income at the moment & we can’t get everything we want, I realize my new time and freedom is priceless.  I get to wake up everyday to Ethan’s “I love you Dad”.  I get to experience Lizzard’s joyful enthusiasm for life as she grows up way too fast.  And I have the privilege of meaningful conversations with my wife Jenny at any time of the day, not just a night when we’re both tired from the days activities.  My life is by no means perfect but it is pretty damn good.
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With more time and freedom I also believe I’ve become a better person.  The older I get the more I realize I don’t know.  This has enabled me to read more (5 books so far this summer), ask more questions and build more relationships.  I believe a lot of that has to do with me and a lot has to do with Advocare and the new friends I have made through it.  A few years ago I don’t know if I would have been able to get outside of my comfort zone but today I’m proud to say I’m a weight lifter and a runner.
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Nick

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