Adapt & Enjoy

Change In Plans

​This past Friday, one of my dearest girlfriends flew in from Colorado for some long overdue time together.

I had our weekend planned! Pedicures, art openings, shopping, holiday parade and concert, cooking, wine tasting . . . of course, talking nonstop together.

Then, just after Jen arrived on Friday afternoon, Mike got offered four free tickets to the Big 10 Conference Championship football game on Saturday. In the 9th row. On the 40 yard line. In Indianapolis. At 8:00 P.M.

Yep. You see what happened next.  ​

---

“The only way we can make the most of our lives
is to make the most of our moments.”
~ Cleo Wade

---

Time to Check In
Gain Clarity | Find Flow

Hello friends!

Last week I wrote about how each one of us contains multitudes.
And, whenever possible, we should err on the side of kindness.

Deciding whether or not to go to the football game had me reflecting on my own writing.

I was an athlete through college.
I have coached young children, middle school, high school, and college.
I love most sports!
Several years ago, I made the decision to no longer watch football. While it’s an unpopular decision in my household and with our families, I have enjoyed my departure from this particular sport, and I have stuck to it.

But, when I heard my husband’s enthusiasm over the phone about these tickets?! (His voice sounded like he was a kid in the biggest candy store. 😉)
I told him I would talk to Jen and see if she was interested.
With zero hesitation, her answer was, “Heck yes! I’m in!”

To round out our group of four, Mike suggested we invite our dear family friend, Evan, who is a freshman at Hope College. He is from Park City, Utah, and he can’t wait to get to a game at the Big House.

Unfortunately, we were unable to make that happen for him this year, but now we had this unexpected opportunity simply handed to us.

So, I took a moment and paused. I needed to get clear within.

Three of my favorite people on this Earth were super excited to go to this game.
I love a road trip and an adventure.
I believe in getting out there and doing things because that’s one way relationships deepen and memories are created.

Going to the game would go against my personal code of ethics (whether or not that code holds any logic is an entirely different discussion 🤣)
I’d have to let go of several of things I was looking forward to with Jen.
I value my sleep, but we would be getting home in the middle of the night after the game.
We had a busy Sunday already scheduled, so we’d have to rebound quickly and continue showing up.

Of course, you already know what we decided. (Go Blue! 💙)

Here’s the thing.
In this instance, I felt okay setting aside my self-imposed restrictions. It was worth it in order to take part in this big adventure! And, as with most things in my life, if I decide I’m going to do something, I am ALL in.

The important part for me was in the pause. The brief few moments where I checked in with myself. If I said “yes” to this, I wanted to embrace the entire experience. And, I also wanted to show up fully for all the people and events we were committed to on Sunday.

Once the “yes” came through, I started creating ways to sprinkle more fun into our excursion. Little details that I enjoy! Great food for our pre-game tailgate. Snacks for the late night drive home. Michigan gear for all of us.

I know this example of a decision making process is specific.
In the big picture of life, it does not matter whether or not we went to this game.

I also fully appreciate that this example may not relate directly to you and your life, at all.

But, let’s all zoom out.

In the hustle of the holiday season, please gift yourself a moment, however brief, to check in. That moment to pause, and breathe, and connect with your body. I promise, it will help you get clear, find flow, and foster presence.

And, be kind to yourself.
Yes, being disciplined can be good, but not just for the sake of being rigid and tough on ourselves.

With fire and love,

~ m