Maybe it's the wild waves of unpredictable weather or the holiday hangovers finally dusting themselves off or the world flipping its open sign on again, but March seems to be putting off some serious reflecting and planning vibes for many in our orbit. Friends are asking if races are happening and if we're going to run them, reflecting on their own relationship with running post-pandemic and processing big questions about who they are with or without it. If I'm not feeling like running anymore, will I lose my community or myself? I've discovered more passions during the lockdown, how do I balance that with my home and running life? I'm out of shape or really in-shape with no race or bored out of my mind or so overwhelmed that running is the last thing on my mind or maybe moments of feeling many of these things at once. These are monumental questions that strike on something deeper in all of us: how do I live my most purposeful life?
In my own contemplation on such things and in also reflecting on International Women’s Day today, I stumbled across the wisdom of Nadine Star, an 85-year-old woman from Louisville, Kentucky. When asked “How would you have lived your life differently if you had a chance?” Nadine said…
If I had my life to live over again,
I’d dare to make more mistakes next time.
I’d relax.
I’d limber up.
I’d be sillier than I’ve been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances,
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would, perhaps, have more actual troubles but fewer imaginary ones.
you see, I’m one of those people who was sensible and sane,
hour after hour,
day after day.
Oh, I’ve had my moments.
If I had to do it over again,
I’d have more of them.
In fact, I’d try to have nothing else- just moments,
one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.
I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot-water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.
If I could do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had to live my life over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances,
I would ride more merry-go-rounds,
I would pick more daisies.
– Nadine Stair
Sweet, sweet Nadine. Thank you.
And thank you for being the kind of community where we can process big questions like this together AND discuss the merits of pizza v burrito and ice cream v cookies (I think we know Nadine's answer to that last one). Running or not, we got you and YOU GOT THIS! We look forward to spending some time moving our bodies through nature in 2021...just as you are. #moreicecream #lessbeans