Carpe diem. The problem with carpe diem is that often as you are actually seizing the day you are simultaneously wondering if its such a good idea. Thus the element of risk, I suppose. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You need to stick your neck out there. No pain, no gain. There are a number of cliches to describe the situation but until you’re in the middle of the carpe it’s hard to really understand.
Today I’m flying cross-country to complete a certification process started over a year ago. If it works out it will provide a fantastic opportunity for our entire family. However, it would certainly be a fair question to ask why a family on a budget would send one member of their family on a cross-country flight to simply become certified as a teacher in a different state when he’s already certified in another. Wouldn’t it make more sense, one might argue, to conserve resources in tight times, focus on keeping steady where you’re at, until the “right” time comes along to make such a big move? Especially with a newborn in the family. The trip isn’t even about a possible job-it’s just looking to make me qualified to start applying for a job. So you could say the trip is, well, a big risk. Big time carpe diem.
Like I said, the possible pay-off could be a life-changing move and great opportunity for our family. On the other hand if nothing comes of it we’ll be out the airfare, application cost, hotel, car, and assorted other expenses that come with travel. Where will we be in three months? Regretting the lark of the risk or celebrating the opportunity born of taking a rather bold chance? Of course, there’s very little point in speculating too much right now. We’ve made our choice and so now is the time to see it through as best we can and make the most of whatever comes our way. Or the most of whatever we can make for ourselves.
Keeping our running lives fresh banks on taking those types of risks. Searching out new races, training techniques, fresh routes, or even new shoes (after your favorite pair was discontinued) shake us up. As we lace up those new shoes to head out on a new route in preparation for a fall marathon we wonder, “Is this really such a good idea?” My knee has been a little sore, job commitments may crop up, the kids’ sports practices are killing my evenings. Maybe it’s wiser to hold to the routine and wait until there’s a “better” time to try all this.
Our response to this type of challenge often goes one of two ways: either doubt and reason dictate the routine or we embrace the challenge of change and let it guide us. Certainly there are times to scale back, keep a routine. Even that may be stepping out depending on the situation. However, growth requires change. Will there dips, missteps, and disappointments? Probably. But rather than looking on them in the negative, recognize them for what they are: learning opportunities. Challenges present us many more opportunities to learn and the payoff is correspondingly that much greater. Find your challenge. Embrace it. You’ll thank yourself later.
