The Scariest Word in the World

Wow... I have officially started three separate blog posts over the two weeks and haven't been able to get them done and actually posted.  So today, I decided to delete them all and start over.  I've had multiple comments about why I haven't been posting lately.  Well... honestly?  I've just been really busy and when I have time to relax, I really just need to shut off my brain and not think.  Which bring us to today's blog topic: CHANGE. 

Oh yes... one of the scariest words around:  change.  It seems like all of my friends are going through huge changes right now: getting married, having babies, buying a new house (oh wait! that's me!!!), moving, breaking up, starting a new relationship, moving in with a significant other, getting a new dog (oh wait! that's me too!), all sorts of things.Today I read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal (yes. I read the Wall Street Journal.  I know.  It's shocking that I read things besides the CrossFit Journal.  But I do... sometimes.)  This article was about how major life events (death of a loved one, divorce, getting fired from your job, moving, etc.) affect your sense of self and how we deal with those changes.  It really made me think - how do we actually deal with change?

I, for one, am terrible with change.  I about had a meltdown when Victoria's Secret stopped carrying my favorite underwear.  True story.  (Too much information?  Possibly.  But still a true story.)  But I also acknowledge that change is a fact of life that we are unable to avoid so why do we fight it?  Because it's hard, that's why.  Perfect CrossFit example??? Coaching. When I instruct people to change their squats or pushups (or really anything for that matter!), their usual response is 'but it's harder that way'.  Yes.  Yes it is.  But eventually it's going to get easier because you are going to get stronger and you'll be doing it correctly. 

Next week, I am moving into a new house.  One that I bought and will be paying for over the next 30 years of my life (seeing a payoff date of 2043 was more than intimidating). And I hate moving - it's hard.  I lived in a shoebox sized mother-in-law apartment for almost four years because it was easier than moving into a bigger place.  I've already taken the easy way out with this one and hired movers to get my crap out of my three-story rented townhome, into my new three-story townhome (apparently I REALLY like stairs).  I know I have at least a six-month learning curve ahead of me in trying to figure out where the hell I put all of my things and I know that some things will just completely disappear forever. 

Last week, I got a dog.  Her name is Grace and she is adorable.  AND a ton of work. Getting up 30 minutes earlier every day to make sure she gets a decent walk in before I go to work is hard.  

Isn't she just so damn cute?  She's a pit bull/lab mix. Or as I like to call her 'purebred pound puppy'.

What's my point?  Change is hard.  And it usually has a period of time where it sucks, even when the change is for the better.  Even when you know you are doing the right thing - it's hard to face the unknown.  What if my new furbaby never stops chasing my cats around the house?  What if I don't like my new neighbors?  What if something breaks and I have to spend all of my money on a handyman instead of at Lululemon?  What if my blonde dog continues to shed on all of my black clothes and there is suddenly a shortage of lint rollers in the world??  

Whether it is changing the way you squat or your job or your boyfriend or where you live - it's all the same.  There is going to be a time where the change feels weird.  But it's going to get better - you get stronger - you get used to it.  You build on the change and pretty soon it becomes the norm. 

Granite Mountain Hotshots

Having been raised in a fire family, I've paid extra attention Sunday's tragic deaths of the 19 Hotshot crew members in Arizona.  My dad was a Los Angeles City fireman and I've lived my entire life being surrounded by all types of firefighters.  The people that my dad worked with are in some of my favorite childhood memories and his best friend and his wife have never been known to me as anything but Uncle Denny and Aunt Laura.  I consider them and their children to be my family in the fiercest way possible and when my uncle passed away a few years ago - it was no different than losing a member of my own genetically-connected family. 

My heart absolutely breaks for everyone who was touched by this tragedy.  All of the crew members were so young and had so much of their lives ahead of them.  It's such a loss for the community in Arizona, the fire department, and their families. In reading several articles about the fallen heroes, I found out that several of them worked out at Captain Crossfit in Prescott, AZ.  The coaches were quoted about how awesome they were to work with and how encouraging they were to other athletes.  It's a huge loss for the CrossFit community as well.  I can't even begin to imagine losing a single gym member to that kind of tragedy, much less a whole crew.  

I know that as a CrossFit community, we take the time to recognize our fallen heroes - crossfit.com always pays homage with a special WOD named after them with what I can only assume are favorite (or most hated) movements, on Memorial Day - almost every gym does Murph, and I've seen several gyms that do fundraiser WODs for fallen members of police, fire or military.  I sincerely hope that a kick-ass Hero WOD will come out of this tragedy so that as a CrossFit community, we can honor these fallen men in the way that we do - by sweating and pushing ourselves to the limit in a way that would make the fallen proud. 

Why is this such a big deal to me?  Probably because I was too young to realize the danger that my dad was in every time that he went to work.  It never even crossed my mind.  I knew that my dad and the other firemen were my own personal heroes - but I was too young to realize that it was a real possibility that they wouldn't come home.  Now, as an adult, I can put myself into the shoes of those who lost husbands, fathers, sons, friends, and heroes.  

I think we can also all take a lesson from the Hotshots.  The coaches from Captain CrossFit were quoted as saying that the fallen were among the most encouraging at the gym.  So... take a minute - stop tearing down your equipment and running out the door the second you are done with the WOD.  Instead, grab your water bottle, take a drink, and show some encouragement to the athlete who is struggling to finish.  Help your dead dog tired classmate put their plates away after a grueling workout.  Introduce yourself to someone new - especially when they have that panicked 'first official WOD' look on their face.  Help someone get into their pullup bands - even if it extends your time by 2 seconds.  Give your team a high five after the workout - everyone just worked their asses off and deserves it.  Smile!  Just go the extra mile for the others at the gym.  

Photo courtesy City of Prescott, AZ

Interested in helping out the families of the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew?  Click here for information on donating.  It may not seem like a whole lot, but trust me, the kindness of total strangers after losing your loved one to a tragedy - means the world. 

Hmmm...really, Google?

When I started a blog, I never expected that people would actually read it.  I thought that I'd look back in a year or so and laugh about the stupid things that I think are interesting/funny.  Turns out - lots of other people think the things I say are interesting/funny and they keep reading (Thank you!!! That's actually kinda totally awesome and I hope I can continue to make you laugh as hard as I make myself laugh).  

Today, I decided to find out how people actually find my blog.  Well... my blog comes up a lot when people search for CrossFit and CrossFit girls.  Duh - that's the basic gist of what I've been going for.  Now, here is where things get interesting.  Other searches that I come up under?  CrossFit booty, CrossFit dating (if there is a website for this - please direct me to it immediately), dating a CrossFit girl (I hope I gave you good advice and didn't potentially scare you off forever)  BUT... my personal favorites are: (drumroll please) Hotties from Tough Mudder Whistler and topless CrossFit girls.  TOPLESS CROSSFIT GIRLS?!?!?!? (I get it.  I once used the word 'topless' in a blog.  No.  It was not in reference to me.  However, I've also used lots of other words.)  And hotties from Tough Mudder Whistler??  People searched for that?!?!?! More than one person searched for that?!?!  (Or I guess the same person several times?)

I officially need an SEO manager for my blog.