This Thing Called ‘The Open’

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Maybe you’ve heard of the Crossfit Open.  Maybe you haven’t.  But I want to inspire you, I want to motivate you, I want to raise your spirits.  So let me tell you about this thing called ‘The Open’.

crossfit-logo-games-blackThe Crossfit Open is a worldwide competition in which 130 000 Crossfitters have registered, paid their $20, and are completing one workout per week for five weeks (we just finished week 3), as dictated by Crossfit Headquarters.  Competitors submit their scores to an online leaderboard and the fun begins.  Top-scoring competitors will advance to their respective Regional competitions, with the ultimate  goal being to qualify for the Crossfit Games, the ‘Olympics of Crossfit’, in California in July.

Although I’ve been Crossfitting for three years, this is the first time I’ve entered the Open, as I’ve always been very pregnant or newly post-partum in year’s past.  And as an average Crossfitter, I will definitely not advance to Regionals.  But a funny thing has happened along the way.  I have gotten really into it.  No, I mean really into it.  I’ve bookmarked the Crossfit Games leaderboard on my computer, I watch elite competitor’s video submissions, I get nervous on Tuesdays for Wednesday’s workout announcement, and I check the scores of people I know and names I recognize.

It’s shown me what I’m physically capable of.

It’s shown me what I’m mentally capable of.

It’s made me feel like part of a team, through accountability, support, and friendship.

It’s made me feel pride in myself and confidence in my abilities.

It’s made me strong, healthy, inspired, and hopeful.

It’s made me cry, it’s made me laugh, it’s made me scared, it’s made me excited.

It’s broken me down and built me right back up.

But this post is not about the Crossfit Open.  This post is about challenging yourself.  This post is about stepping outside of your comfort zone.  This post is about changing the impossible to the possible.  So challenge yourself.  Step outside of your comfort zone.  Change the possibilities.  And see what happens.

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Have Kids, Will Travel

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If you have children, perhaps you can relate. If you have young children, I’m sure you can relate…

We just got back from a sun-filled, fun-filled week in Phoenix, visiting my snowbird parents. Our 8-hour delay at Chicago’s O’Hare airport aside, the trip was hassle-free; my husband and I got to relax, and my children got memory-making grandparent time. But vacationing now is much, much different than my 20-something single self remembers.

I am the person with a bored, tired baby on a delayed flight. Smile at her and be kind to me. I once was you, and one day you may be me.

I am the person who has to haul a stroller, carseats, and a diaper bag through the airport so that my children can be safe and comfortable. Hold the door for me. Let me get off the elevator. If my belongings look cumbersome and awkward to you, imagine how they feel to me.

I am the person who has an inquisitive, energetic four-year-old. Model good manners. Exercise your patience. No one wants him to stop kicking your seat more than me.

I am the person who takes more time to check-in, to get through security, and to board the plane. Realize that I am doing my best to move quickly. We all started out as children, learning the ways of the world. Help me teach them the ways.

I am the person who stops to look at the dinosaur exhibit, the neon lights on the ceiling, and every water fountain in the airport. Go around me. Rush past me. But if you take the time, you may feel some of the joy that my children do in these ‘everyday’ things.

Put yourself in my shoes. Put yourself in their shoes. And enjoy it.

Basking in the Phoenix sun with Uncle Ryan and Auntie Al.

Enjoying the Phoenix sun with Uncle Ry and Auntie Al.

I Want to Thank You

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I love my job. I love the ‘people part’ of my job the most. One of the most rewarding parts of what I do is when a current patient trusts me enough, believes in me enough, and has confidence in me enough to recommend me to someone they know.

I want to thank you for sending your father to me when he was having headaches.

I want to thank you for bringing your baby to me only days after she was born.

I want to thank you for referring your husband to me for his low back pain.

I want to thank you for mentioning to your neighbor that I’d be able to help them with their wrist injury.

I want to thank you for recommending that your friend should come and see me after they sprained their ankle.

I want to thank you for driving your brother over for an appointment for his neck pain.

I want to thank you for telling your Aunt that I could help her with her plantar fascia problem.

I want to thank you for advising your cousin that he should do his shoulder rehabilitation with me.

I want to thank you for recounting your acupuncture experience to your co-worker.

I want to thank you for suggesting to your mother that her knee pain can be helped.

I want to thank you for explaining to your sister that she can feel better than she currently does.

I love my job because of you.

Thank you.

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