I’ve hit a exercise rhythm recently that has felt great. Running a few times a week, strength sessions a couple of times, walking on the other days – each of these activities have given my week direction. And I always feel good for moving my body – the rest of my day is not as angsty. I typically have a standing 6am Friday walking date with a girlfriend (hello, running life-partner hehehe) – but at 10pm last night when I had decided it was the right time to look at the weather forecast, I panicked and decided I didn’t want to be out walking in 60mm of rain at 6am (it’s still dark, no less). So, I did the cowardly thing and asked for a raincheck (hehehe see what I did there?).

It’s now nearly 3 hours after that 6am standing date, and I am feeling so full of regret we didn’t get the walk done – sharing with each other how how our week has gone, what we’re looking forward to over the weekend and just other general stuff. It gives us both a moment we can share our vulnerabilities with each other, or not – we get to decide what we talk about, and I think its one thing that we both get to choose how we spend. The 6am Friday walk and talk is one of a few built in moments I seem to have created in my life, that nurtures my inner monologue; It’s one of a few things connecting practices that remind me why I do everything I do. Friendships, adventure and laughter are 3 things that I value deeply.

So anyway, thinking back to that 10pm decision – well, I am kicking myself. Today is Friday…day 5 of the school week. Emotions were already high across the fam-bam. Add in a much-avoided dentist appointment for one kid, an over-tired teen due to a late night and then another kid who hasn’t explained their expectation fully (and of course now our morning cannot meet that expectation)… well, let’s just say walking in the dark at 6am with 60mm of rain all of a sudden feels like it is exactly what I want to be doing.

Anyway, as I sit here, everyone is where they need to be – buses were caught, appointments were made, and there was still love shared. I’m proud of the way I can now handle these trickier moments; AND now I am going to make sure I meet the next 6am walk and talk session.