Perception

Is it just me or do you have a hard time seeing yourself a new way?

I am a lifetime couch potato. I LIKE to lounge. I love my bed. I know it misses me when I am gone because I miss it. So it is hard to even imagine that I am athlete. It is even harder to see myself that way.

I still giggle when I tell people I run or I skate. But I rarely say I am a figure skater or I am a runner. Why?? How can I get up at 4 am to do both sports but refuse to call myself an active participant in either.

I think for me a part of it is the kooky standard I have applied to the definition of an athlete. My DD is an amazing figure skating. So when I think of a figure skater, I see her in my mind. I don't skate like that. I also have a ton of adult friends that skate. They are so fast and smooth. They just seem so fluid. I don't skate like that either. So if my baby is a skater and my adult friends are skaters, what am I? I am not a skater because I am not doing what they do. Right?

Let's not even talk about running. I am the living embodiment of Phoebe in real life. I either look like I am having some type of fit or that I am just walking fast. Haha... I even have pictures that confirm this!! Also, I just recently, after 9 months of running finally run a mile under 10 minutes. I know Boston Qualifiers. They are running. I am jogging for long distances. lol.

But the problem with not seeing the new me or acknowledging what I do is I lose the power of the process. See I am a runner and a skater. I have been working very hard to become both. This process has redefined me. It has helped me find new strength. It has shown me a side of myself I have never seen. If I don't acknowledge that I am being ungrateful for the process. I am denying the gift!

This week I had someone ask me if I was a dancer. They were impressed with how I moved. Haha!! Not only am I NOT a dancer, I as moving on the ice. I have come so far in my skating that I can be somewhat fluid in my movements. Woot! Woot! I am making progress.  Then to make it even better, I mentioned that I run as well. This angel on earth told me, "oh that explains it. You have the body of a runner." Seriously, I think this person is my new favorite person in the world. Not just because she gave me two huge compliments. But because she helped me see the new me!

So how have you changed recently? Have you embraced your new you? Or do you need someone to introduce you to the new you?