Monday, April 30, 2012

Motivation Monday

I used to think it was a girl thing....however I don't think comparison is gender specific.  We ALL compare ourselves to others!  This quote came over me yesterday when I was out for my weekend long run.  I got a mile into the run and felt horrible.  Thoughts of "You should be doing better" and "______ can run until the end so you should too" continued to steal the joy out of my run.  So at about 1.5 miles I started to walk.  I power walked all through my sleepy ocean town!  Down every side street that ended at the ocean and powered back up the hills leading back to the road.  I LOVED it!  I let go of what this pregnancy SHOULD be and I just let God fill me with JOY!  It wasn't the run I had planned but it was exactly what I needed!

What about you???  What comparisons have you let in to steal your joy?  Did you finish a race only to compare your time with another?  Motivation is one thing but find the joy in YOUR journey!!!  Don't let comparison take it away!!!

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17 comments:

  1. misszippyApril 30, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    I love to read this! That's the way it should be, especially when you're pregnant. Glad you had a joyful time out there!

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  2. SupermomE13April 30, 2012 at 11:27 AM

    Nancy! That is the best quote. I was just thinking about how so many runners/bloggers seem to get way too caught up in comparing themselves to others. No matter who you are, there is always someone going further, running faster, etc. etc. and there are always those who are slower and doing less. We have to find joy in what we are doing and do it for ourselves, or else it is pointless. Great post! SO GLAD you had a wonderful run/power walk. Love it! :)

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  3. Kyria @ Travel SpotApril 30, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    We are our own worst enemy. If we could just be happy with what we have, instead of comparing ourselves to others (or even sometimes to ourselves!) we would be a lot happier. I am glad you slowed down and ENJOYED!

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  4. Jerilee E.April 30, 2012 at 12:43 PM

    wow- that's a great one! I am constantly doing that- with running, motherhood, etc. It really does make it so much harder to recognize and appreciate our accomplishments and talents.

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  5. Rachelle QApril 30, 2012 at 12:51 PM

    What a great post. I often compare myself to others and have to remind myself how ridiculous that is. I raced a half yesterday and sometimes thought "I should be able to keep up with that person" but I kept telling myself to stick to my own pace. I ended up passing every person I had tried to keep up with and PR'ing! Yay for going your own pace!

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  6. Laura @ Mommy run fastApril 30, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    How true! There is always going to be someone faster, stronger, prettier, whatever the issue is... it's important to remind ourselves daily to enjoy who we are and what we can do right now. Thanks for the great reminder!

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  7. CrystalApril 30, 2012 at 4:53 PM

    Nancy, This is something I've been pondering a lot lately. You plucked some thoughts right out of my head and made sense of them. Thank you for that. :)

    I think that you are such an inspiration. I'm in awe of you and your accomplishments and attitude. I'm glad that you're not allowing any more joy to be stolen from you.

    Thanks for always having just the message I need.

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  8. CautiouslyAudaciousApril 30, 2012 at 6:19 PM

    So true!!! People always laugh at me because they say I shouldn't compare myself to athletes that get paid to work out all day, or ones that have a coach and tons of free time or pros. But it's hard for me not to think "I should be training more!!!!" "I should be faster" etc...

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  9. MarissaApril 30, 2012 at 6:43 PM

    love that quote because sadly, it's SO true. I have tried, as I've grown older, to not compare compare compare! But it's SO much easier said than done, but I think as I create and conquer my own, personal goals, it helps me compare myself to myself and that's what counts! awesome post!!!

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  10. ZoëApril 30, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    Great post! Just what I needed to read today.

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  11. BariApril 30, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    Guilty

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  12. Running, Loving, LivingApril 30, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    I am guilty of comparing myself to others but now I try to focus just on me because we are all so unique!!!

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  13. JuliaMay 1, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    this was a great post! and perfect motivation monday :) i hate when i am SO ecstatic at the end of the race...only later to be caught up in "well i could have done better here, pushed more here, or ran more like so and so here"...so frustrating! i just want to run like me and be proud of who I AM.

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  14. Mel -Tall Mom on the RunMay 1, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    I often compare myself to myself.. how fast I used to be, how fit I used to be etc.. I can never seem to accept who I am currently.. The best part lately is having my husband by my side...I accept that I am there for him and in that role I am 100% proud of each run.. HUGS to you prego lady, enjoy the journey, it goes by FAST.. our littlest is 4 already.. UGH!!

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  15. Suz and AllanMay 1, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    What a great post Nancy! There will always be someone who runs faster, makes more money, lives in a nicer house, etc. and comparing myself to others never leads to anything positive.

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  16. Christy JMay 1, 2012 at 10:38 PM

    This is something that has been on my mind a lot. My friend and I have been talking about it some too. I'm not a fast runner and I still battle my weight, so I compare myself to others a lot. Instead, I've been working on choosing to be present. Even this past week, when I was frustrated by work, I stopped worrying about the day ahead and just enjoyed some time with my husband, thinking to myself, "This is what is important."

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  17. AnonymousMay 2, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    What a great post and so true!! I compare myself all the time and I'm especially hard on myself. Thanks for a good reminder to let go.

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