As many of you may know, the Underwater Samurai was given orders to report to a postion in Southern California, so after four years in the Northern Virginia/ DC area my family and I sold and packed up our house and made the long trek across the country.
The moving truck arrives and in an instant life as we know it has vanished
I headed to the airport with three kids and a cat (it took two grown adults and two hours to catch him and put him in his carrier — poor baby) and boarded an American Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Underwater Samurai stayed back to wrap things up, drive across the USA with the cars, and join us a week or so later. On the 5 hour flight, my children and the cat were so great! I was blessed to have happy, mature kids and a silent cat that day. To make things even better AA treated me like a VIP. The entire crew of this plane went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure I was comfortable and taken care of. Here are two of these hard working, first class flight attendants..
These two women offered true customer service and kindness.. their jobs are not easy, I feel like I won the lottery when I boarded the plane that day.
Then we landed in Los Angeles… the beginning of the next chapter of our lives.
These little people are the center of my universe.
Since the housing market in this area is undergoing very tumultuous times right now, we are still in temporary housing (staying with my Mom…how fortunate we have been to have her support). We continue to try and find the right place to live, with the right schools, neighborhood, commute and most importantly within our budget. This has proven to be a huge challenge, however, we continue to be hopeful that our home is out there. In addition to the usual pressures of moving a household of three small children on a cross country relocation, we have had circumstances beyond our control make this time in our lives very stressful.. so difficult that I found myself unable to maintain my blog posts. However, here I am, because just like in running if you stay away too long that becomes your habit. I can only allow myself to feel down for so long and then I must pick myself up, trust in a higher power, and carry on. The main thing that has gotten me through these tough times, other than my kids, husband and Mother are this…
A blog post by Michelle at NYC Running Momma that you can read right HERE
I was having a particularly difficult day dealing with all of this when I read her post. It was that moment when the heavy darkness lifted from me, I read more and more about how she “embraced the pain” how “pain was weakness leaving the body.” I went from a slumping position to strong shoulders, from a heaviness in my eyes to them being wide open, from brain fog to clarity of mind. As I read her words, the little voice in my mind said “yes, yes, yes”. She was referring to running but I was applying it to my life circumstances and things began to feel so much better. I can do this, I can get through this. I am way stronger than the dialog that was going on in my mind. The conversation in my head were the words of others telling me who I am and I was giving them permission to define me. I have no control over others’ opinions of me, but I am the boss of my own actions and thoughts.
I am 44 years old and still trying to navigate through my pain. I am uncertain of our future but I know one thing for sure and that is that there will be good times again, and after that there will be rough times, and then good, then rough, good, rough, etc. etc. Life is not unlike an ocean and events are like swells, some epic and others terrifying and difficult. We must not run from discomfort but rather learn to ride the wave of pain, as it is temporary and will return to sea at some point.
Learn to ride the wave of pain
As Michelle mentions, embrace the pain and view it as weakness leaving your body. Learn to enjoy the breaks in between waves and be ready to surf the next big one. I don’t surf but there is reason surfers speak of their sport like a religion and say you become one with the ocean. They are not fighting or avoiding the waves, they are becoming a part of them. Become a part of your difficult times, stay focused, don’t fight it, and it will eventually go back out to sea. You are stronger and more brave than you think you are. We are all surfing through life… learn to enjoy the ride.
When you’re feeling like your life is out of control, where do you go for inspiration? What helps you push through?
About Lisa
I couldn’t agree more! I am riding one big wave right now. It crashed hard but now it’s evening now. its all about riding that way with the right perspective!
missed you!
Oh how I can relate to this, all of it. From the cross country PCSing to the ups and downs, the waves of life. I feel like my entire past 12 months has been one large tsunami wave. I am trying to ride the wave and I know as soon as the wave breaks there will be another. I have a large storm to weather and like you said I am strong and brave and I have no other choice. You are not alone in your hard times. My soon to be ex husband said something that rings in my ears, over and over: “It’s like we are living one tragedy to another.” Yes, unfortunately that is the way life is, people get cancer and die, friends are KIA, husbands walk out….all tragedy. And I will take them as they come and be stronger and better able to handle the next tragedy that will certainly come my way.
Hang in there…I’m rooting for you.
Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear that things have been so rough for you. I can’t imagine traveling across country with 3 small children (alone!). I love how you compared it to riding a wave…it’s so true. I am good at embracing the pain during runs but I often let whatever troubles I am dealing with post-run get to me. Stress is my worst enemy these days.
You are in my thoughts and prayers – I hope you have some luck with finding a place to settle down…xoxo
You are a strong woman and you can do anything you set your mind to, it will be better soon. Hang in there and dream big!
Thinking of you every step of the way! You are such a strong woman and I have no doubt in my mind you will get through this….no matter how big the wave may be! xoxo
Thank you for sharing. I’m happy you were able to find strength and inspiration from Michelle’s words.
Welcome to So Cal!
I’ve been thinking of you a lot and wondering how the transition was going. I love the waves analogy… I’ve had enough of them now that I’m always very thankful when I’m in a peaceful phase of life.
Moving is one of the most stressful life changes, and we have another one coming up within the next few years too- I am not looking forward to it. It always takes me a good 6 months to a year to finally settle in and feel at home. It’s even harder when you’re still searching to figure out where you’re going to live. I’m so glad you have your mom there!
So good to hear an update from you… hope things start to fall into place soon. Your wave will eventually calm down again!
Minus the kids I feel ya! We have a huge move coming, health issues and umm a career change. Life can get overwhelming but I think in those moments we learn something new and grow…ah painful but true
My heart goes out to you! Moving is so stressful. It’s like you are are living in another person’s body/life for the first few months. I’ve never done it with kids but I’m sure we will at some point.
Good luck to you in riding the wave! The shore is close!
Sending you lots of hugs! Here’s to riding the wave knowing that it will all work out for you. xoxox
ohhhh. i love you. I teared up reading this. 2012 has been a bitch of a year. Pardon my french. But, it has… You will come out the other side stronger. These things make us stronger. <3
I’m so sorry to hear that on top of the tough move, you’ve got other stressors going on! But I love how you are dusting yourself off and facing it head on. You’re a strong lady and you’re going to get through this. I’m so glad you are back to blogging–hopefully it will be cathartic for you as you move along this new road.
Big hugs to you!
I love the ocean/surfing analogy. I was riding high on the crest of a wave and got tumbled hard. Now I am wiping the sand out of my eyes and trying to get my footing again. (You might like my post from Sunday–if nothing else the picture is amazing)
P.S. I just noticed the cool background on your blog. Is that new or have I been clueless?
Lisa, you are my hero. Heart you so much – if anyone can get through these kinds of ebs and flows – it is YOU.
So glad that we can continue to keep in touch through your blog. You are so very dear to me, Lisa, and I’m so grateful for the chance to be a part of each other’s lives—even if it’s now “virtually” on opposite coasts. There is always an open door for you and your family whenever you’re passing through DC. You will prevail—of this I am CERTAIN! xoxo
I too have been wondering how the move and transition has been going. I’m so sorry that it’s been rough. You know that I love the wave analogy. It is so true – surfing is about letting go and not fighting all that power and energy in the ocean but working with it. Honestly, it’s kind of crazy but surfing has really changed my perspective on things and has given me a lot in terms of dealing with all the stressors in life. This wave will break but a perfect wave will set up right behind it. You are such a strong woman. Sending lots of positive thoughts you way.
Thanks for the wise words Lisa. The idea of pain being weakness leaving your body when running is a great metaphor for life. Your resilience is an inspiration. Running is a great way to exercise and a great sport, and can easily translate to the hardships of life. Keep it up and I hope that the waves subside soon!
Greg at Dazadi.com
lisa, welcome to the area! oh my goodness i had no idea you were so close! we are going to be up in westlake this weekend. where in conejo are you?
Hello Kalli, It’s good to be here.. hope we can go for a run sometime! Right now my family and I are staying in Simi Valley, that may change as we continue to look for a house… so close
wow big moves and big changes are huge stressors for sure. Good for you for making the most of things and knowing that this too shall pass. I hope the waves smooth out for all of you very soon!