Reflections...Lessons...Simplicity.

Last weekend I drove 800+ miles to run the Bear Bait 50k with awesome people. People I met on another trail run - the Georgia Jewel. I love my trial peeps by the way :) During my drive time, I was able to reflect on many things. Life, family, friends, my health and all the good things going on. My ramblings below. 

I'm focused on celebrating each day, I am focused on relationships with only the most important people in my life, the people that share my love of the little things, my love of life, and my love of the trails. 

I know that life can change in an instant, I know that sometimes it can suck and sometimes it and be hard. BUT...I also KNOW that how I deal with it determines the outcome. It's really quite simple.

I have no time or energy for people who are cynical, unhappy, jealous, those who pass judgement, gossip, or compare themselves to others. I have learned that I don't want to waste one second of my time with people who wouldn't help an injured soul, or those who don't make me smile, or those who are not happy, who don't love animals, or who wouldn't buy a newspaper from the guy on the corner or give a dollar or two to that person if they had an extra in their pocket. 

I have learned that I have plenty of time for people who love life, accept everyone for who they are, who love to smile, to laugh, choose joy, and for people who are kind, love animals, are courageous, grateful and gracious. Plenty of time for those who love to watch a sunrise and a sun set on the sea, in the mountains, on the trail, or in a meadow. So much time for those who encourage, cheer, and motivate. So much time for those who are working to make themselves better and not bitter.  

I have learned that somewhere along the way my little cancer diagnosis made me see things so much more clearly. I am thankful for that. Yes, thankful. The time I spend with my family is about quality, not quantity. There are many who simply don't understand why I spend hours on the trails and/or road without my family. The folks that don't understand "the why" also don't understand our family unit, they don't understand that our clan "gets each other"; we know what each other needs and we work toward making that happen. We all have our "thing" and we make it happen. It's that simple. I can promise you, that when you (and I hope you don't) have to tell your husband and child you have cancer, it freaking changes your life, changes everything, every thought, and every aspect of your family dynamic, it changes who you are. We are so much closer, tighter, and live so much more than we have ever lived. We love to see each other smile, laugh and enjoy life. It's funny and odd, but I have heard this from many people who were diagnosed with cancer or had a similar journey. Why did it take something like that to change our lives? Life is about the journey. 


See? It's really that simple. Simple. 


The picture below shows the beautiful reflections on Bear Lake also home of the Bear Bait Ultras. 

Yours in running, health and joy, 
Susie Q