Embrace in 2023: January

Usually January is a month that drags, but this month has flown by -- no doubt because it has been so unusually busy. And suddenly it's the last Monday of the month, which means it's time to check in on my One Little Word. Thank you to Carolyn for hosting our monthly OLW link-ups!

As I was reflecting over the weekend about how Embrace has played a role this past month, I realized that there were two areas of my life this past month when I have not only accepted things but welcomed them. First there was the busy pace of work. While there are projects typical to this time of year, I was surprised by three atypical projects hitting at once. I can't say I didn't complain about the volume of work, but I also knew that the only way to get past it was through, so I put my head down and got it done. One of the benefits of working from home is that it is easier to work late if I need to (now that I no longer need to run out the door to pick Rainbow up at school), so I did just that. On the first Friday of the year, I worked until 6 so that I could finish up some work and not be thinking about it all weekend. Did I enjoy being so consumed by work? No, but I recognized that the more I embraced the volume of work, the sooner I'd be done with it.

The second area I've embraced this month has been running. For as long as I've been running as part of my exercise routine, I've been known to say that I hate it -- that is, I hate the actual running while I do it but love having run. This month, though, I've noticed a bit of a change. Instead of dreading my runs, I've found myself looking forward to them (what?). I've even gone out in rain, snow, and slush despite knowing I would get completely soaked, and in the most recent instance, I stayed out for my full usual distance even though I kept thinking about how much nicer it would be to be warm and dry at home. Despite the squishing in my shoes, I kept thinking, "I can't quit now -- I haven't gotten my miles in yet!" I did order some waterproof trail shoes to avoid the squishing on future damp days, but I think it's clear that I've now fully embraced an identity as a runner. I am feeling stronger and have increased my endurance (I can regularly run 2 miles straight without stopping to catch my breath, and I've even gotten to the point where my walking days don't feel quite as satisfying. Who am I?!

These aren't major things, but I am encouraged by them because they show some growth (continuing my word from last year!) and flexibility given that I generally like my day-to-day life to be predictable. I'm looking forward to seeing what I embrace next!