East Bay Mom

Yesterday I was on one of my usual runs up in Shell Ridge in Walnut Creek.  The run starts with about a 700 ft elevation climb.  On my way up, I passed a nice couple who cheered me on.  They said to me jokingly "You're Nuts!".  My knee jerk reaction to this was to smile.  Then I thought, wait ... am I?

Luckily, I had another 45 minutes of running alone to process my thoughts.  I love running.  I love the way it makes my body feel, and I enjoy the challenge of making it to the top of the ridge, and taking in the 360 view of the bay area.  And, most importantly, I can do it!  Why is it deemed wacko in other people's eyes to run up the mountain when there are so many benefits to my physical health?

My natural train of thought was to migrate to people that I believe really were nuts.  I have a girlfriend who is almost ready to pop with kid #3, one of her children has special needs.  A colleague of mine is about to embark on an adventurous heli-skiing trip.  Another friend of mine lives literally day by day with finances, work and life plans.  I could go on and on with interesting friends of mine that I think are absolutely insane with the choices that they make in their lives.

And that is when it occurred to me.  What makes them insane in my mind is that they do things that I don't think I could do myself.

My friends and colleagues are no more crazy than myself, they just have different passions and capabilities. Life is all about finding your passion, following it and finding that balance between risk and reward.  Whether it is running, parenting or heli-skiing, if you love it, do it!  And with practice, you will consistently get better at it.

So I think now -- if you have a passion, follow it.  And if someone tells you that you are nuts -- say, "Thank you for the compliment".