Reinvigorated

Today is an awesome day! I’m not sure exactly why, but I have an extra spring in my step. A ton of energy. Creative ideas flowing through my brain.

I met with a friend over lunch today and she commented on how alive and beautiful I looked. I don’t think she meant beautiful in the usual sense – but the beauty of someone that is content and alive with life and possibility.

I’ve had an admittedly relaxed summer. Less work than usual. Lots of time off for family vacations. A six mile run this morning. A deep summer tan.

I’ve leaned into the relaxation. Even though I just started a new job, I’m giving myself patience to ramp into it. I have had the usual lifetime stresses, but I feel…decidedly…unstressed.

It’s a magical state really. Reinvigorated with life is the best way to describe it. I think it comes from choosing to engage.

I am so happy to be in my new job, which is pushing me to learn new things, meet new people, develop a new network, and find new ways to add value. I’m getting to do work that I love and enjoying the process of being curious. I’m reminded how important professional growth is to me. It makes me….reinvigorated.

I signed up for the Portland Marathon last week. After a mostly successful, although slower than I would like, 16 mile run I pulled the trigger. The run is in October so I still have a few months. My pace is off what I was in my last training cycle, but I’m using this moment to embrace one of my new motto’s “brave, not perfect.” It’s from a great book of the same title I recently read. I loaned it to a dear friend and as soon as I get my highlighted copy back, I’ll summarize some thoughts. Essentially, the premise is to not wait for everything to be perfect in life. You bravely move forward. Even if the pace is slower, the journey can still be awesome. So I’m enjoying have a goal. Mapping out a training plan. Reinvigorated.

I’ve spent some thinking about my 45th year. I’m about a month in and I want to make the most of it. In addition to killing it at my new job, I’ve plotted out some specific goals. Two marathons. Two amazing adventures. Two specific professional development opportunities. Two great girl trips. And the usual awesomeness with family. I’ve learned the only way to ensure these life moments happen is to commit to them. So I have. Reinvigorated.

Of course, of course, life isn’t perfect. But if you are able to find ways to be reinvigorated, you really should. Each of us has levers to pull. To find energy. To recharge. My advice? Pull those levers. Because being reinvigorated is awesome.