March 04, 2009

Not Fighting Life (or, Change I Can Really Believe In)

[Mt. Sopris Photo credit: rfta]

This guest post is written by Ruth from Ruth Trying Truth. She says she tries to post about big "T" truths on her best days, but her blog also contains plenty of little "t" truths--as well as interesting links, interviews, and poetry. And sometimes she just enjoys "spouting off!" She says that while her blog has no consistent theme, she always appreciates visitors and comments.


I've reached this point in my life where change seems to just happen. Which is an illusion, because I've actually laid the groundwork for it. Or, maybe I've been led, and the groundwork has been laid. Let me explain.

The most recent example of this is the fact that we moved from in town to just outside of town. This happened in July. So, I decided it would be good for me to walk into town, where I work (about 3.5 miles). After hoofing it awhile, I started jogging, then running portions. It happened on its own.

Then, in November, during the first serious cold weather (we live in Carbondale, Colorado), my car started to spew sweet smelling smoke. To make a long story a little shorter, my used car would have taken at least a couple thousand to repair. So, I donated it to charity. That means these days, hoofing it to work is less of a choice, and more of a necessity.

Now the snow is deep, and it is COLD, many mornings (yesterday, it was frost on my eyelashes cold). But, I've got my high boots, and I've got my Yak Trax (these nifty things you put on the bottom of your footwear to keep you from slipping on the ice), and I'm just fine.

Most of my life, I haven't been much into exercise, fitness or the great outdoors. But now I'm into all these things, and it has led me to deeper places. I'm developing more independence, more self-reliance, more toughness (in a good way) and more will. More confidence, more connection, more stillness and more strength. I credit this in part to not resisting life. If and when I need a car, it will find me.

And all this change was not forced, it flowed. So, that's the kind of change I can truly believe it.

13 comments:

  1. Ruth, thank you for this story! We are birds of a feather! I moved cities a while back (London to Austin, TX) and decided not to buy a car when I got there. It was sort of an accident - I was strapped for cash, and the city isn't huge. Instead, I borrowed a friends bike while I got on my feet. The thing is, this bike totally turned me on to cycling. Three years later and I'm still a bike commuter, and happier than ever. I've even done a couple 7-10 day long bike tours. I love it. Even if the cold. As you point out, when you're prepared for the weather, it's no big deal trekking it on foot / bike. Change is best when change happens naturally, isn't it? It's okay for it to take a while. Life is a constant discovery... if we had all the answers right now it sure wouldn't be that fun. Thinking about it this way makes me excited to find all the other cool things out there I haven't yet stumbled upon. Your mountain looks like one of them. Bliss!

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  2. Goreat story.
    Working fitness into your life in a practical way is the best way to do it...it becomes part of what you do...then it is what you do. It sneaks up on you and poof! You're fit.
    Sneaky...

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  3. Good for you. How wonderful it all worked out.

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  4. Very cool! I remember how wonderful it was when I could bike to and from work-- of course, I'm sure on some of those colder days it's harder to be grateful for the forced outdoor commute!

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  5. @Monica: It makes cyber-space shrink a little to encounter another kindred spirit like yourself.
    @Geosomin: It's true! I'm so glad that there are "sneaky" ways to get fit.
    @Leah: I feel blessed to live here, and I try to be grateful every single day.
    @tfh: Yes, the cold does make me grouse a bit. This winter has been relatively mild, so I've been lucky.

    Crabby,

    Thanks so much for posting this!

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  6. It's amost like the butterfly effect that one simple change and your life is getting health again. Nice story.

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  7. Great story! This is one reason why I enjoy the aftermath of snowstorms - I'm the only one in the family strong enough to heave the snow all over the place (ideally *away* from the driveway!). It makes for a great workout.

    Everything happens for a reason...I really do believe that. It's what we take out of it that makes such a difference....

    Enjoy, Barbara

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  8. Great post!
    I love bicycling home after a rotten day at work... I "work out" all my frustration before I get home :)

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  9. What a positive change Ruth! I admire your determination to do away with the car and walk through the snow and ice to town. Many people would simply cough up the money to fix the car and drive. You are certainly one strong and determined woman.

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  10. I once had a boss who was so picky it drove me crazy - made me change my whole style of how I worked.

    Turns out that change is what landed me my next big gig! Thanks boss lady.

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  11. Beautifully written; it's good to accept the change and move with it!

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  12. I love the way you took what could have been a negative (car trouble) and turned it into this incredible positive in your life!

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  13. That's a nice story, Ruth! I hear some very famous people got their big break-out on the one and only Cranky Fitness!

    I have long done my best to follow the messages that the world offers us. I feel when we hear and follow those our lives get better and better.

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