You Are Who You Are: And I'm Not Really Even Keel

It's going to be a weird week...

When I was growing up my Dad often said that I should be more "even keel". You know not get so excited or so emotional. Not be quite so loud or enthusiastic, adamant that I was right, sad when I was wrong, devastated when I was hurt and elated when I was happy. Even keel to me seemed like something I probably could not be capable of when I was a teenager. These last few years I've kind of figured out to keep the highs as happy but also protect myself a bit from the lows. I'm definitely not what one might call even keel.

But this week is going to be a wierd one of highs and lows.

1) Yesterday I completed my first triathlon, the Nautica Malibu Tri

2) Yesterday I was officially divorced for one year.

3) Thursday marks the 12th anniverary of my brother Brennan's death.

4) That day we award an annual scholarship to a deserving recipient at my brother's high school.

5) Saturday my ex husband is marrying that former friend of mine. 

Since Caution Curves Ahead is about the unexpected curves of life, I am putting my confusion out there. Really, it's a whole lot to happen at once and I'm not sure how to feel about any of it. Part sad, part excited, part scared, part mad. Everything all at once. Whoa nelly!

I'm not the only one who is going to have a week like this in the near future. In fact, I'm pretty sure many of you will have a roller coaster or two of your own to deal with. 

Yesterday's triathlon was unbelievably amazing! I absolutely LOVED my wetsuit free ocean swim in the perfect 70 degree water and was truly bummed when it was over. I adored the 18 miles of beautiful pristine Malibu coast on my bike. I may be the only one who slowed down on the downhills, too much speed freaked me out. I'll admit there was a moment when I shouted out loud.... "My A$$ hurts!"

The 4 mile on foot part, well I walked it. POWER WALKED it. I maintain a 13:40 walking mile and well, running would be a whole lot less fun anyway. I did it my way and it was inspiring! Cheering with others who were up for the challenge. Celebrating not only my victory but that of my awesome friend and occasional swim partner who won his age group! Talk about a high. I finished the whole thing in 2:52 minutes and I'm hooked. Today's sore muscles actually inspired me to sign up for another one.

1/2 Mile Swim, 18 Mile Bike Ride, 4 Mile POWER WALK

Perhaps the only way to manage the ups and down is to ensure there are plenty of healthy ups to balance the unexpected downs. Mitigate the total effect of the downs, by making sure there is plenty of up, because life is just way to tricky to ever really expect even keel!

I'm lucky to have a super fun triathlon partner, beautiful hikes, dolphin accompanied swims, dinner with my oldest of friends, theater with my grad school buddies, inspirational meetings with truly talented people, a fantastic writing partner to share my week with and of course my ever calming, soul soothing aromatherapy ritual of Naked with Chanel No. 5. 

Sunrise two hours after we were up! Let's get this started!!

There are a whole bunch of things any of us can do to get through the highs and lows, but it's also ok to give yourself a beat. When a tricky week comes up, don't expect too much. Perhaps not the week to move mountains, or perhaps it is. Either way. It's going to be ok!