This summer, my 13-year-old daughter and I wogged (walked + jogged) most Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. I was delighted to have her company.
β
To have something to work towards, we agreed to sign up for a 5K at the end of the summer.
β
My only goals for the 5K were to stick together, have fun, and finish.
β
I don't run. I wog.
β
But mostly, I wanted to hang out with my kid.
β
β
Raceday finally arrived last weekend.
β
After the race, the first questions out of friends' and family's mouths were:
β
What did you place?
β
What was your time?
β
How far were you from the back?
β
These questions are pretty standard, but they didn't sit right and got me thinking...
β
In American culture, we are frequently judged by very narrow measures.
β
Title
Rank
Salary
Degree
Grades (<-- hate this one as a momma to kids who learn differently)
Scores
Time
β
So many numbers, so little humanity.
β
Suffocating.
β
If we buy into these narrow views of value (faster, more, bigger, grander, higher), we stay striving, exhausted, and disconnected from our inner wisdom.
β
We miss the chance to celebrate our growth and honor our humanity.
β
And, sometimes, we don't even try because the idea of "failing," when measuring ourselves against these narrow standards, is too uncomfortable.
My race, my definition of success
Circling back to the race -
β
Were we near the front? No. Not even close.
β
Did we go faster than I thought we would? Yes.
β
Did we win simply because we showed up? Yes.
β
Did we spend time together doing something that challenged us both? Yes.
β
Did we gain insight into who we are as individuals and as a team? Yes.
β
We stayed together, had fun, and finished the race.
β
βWe aced it.
You get to define what success means to you
How do you measure success?
β
- as a parent
- in your business/career/retirement
- as a volunteer
- as a daughter
- as a partner
- as a friend
- When you entertain
- in the appearance of your house
- how you move your body
β
What matters deeply to you?
β
When do you feel most satisfied and proud? What are you doing? How did you do it?
β
Let that be your guide.
β
Your value is non-negotiable. You were born whole and worthy.
β
Everything I write is a love letter to me and to you. I'm on this journey with you.
β
Enjoy the last drops of summer,
β
Sandi
β
β