Inspiration

Inspiration always hits me at unpredictable times.

I have been feeling a bit morose lately, like life is happening outside my window and all I can do is sit and watch. I know that this feeling is stemming from new plan to get healthy. A plan that means lots of rest, no alcohol and following a specific diet which is hard to get at restaurants. My lifestyle up until now has pretty much revolved around going to nice restaurants and drinking wine - of course, that was never the main focus. The focus has been getting together with great friends and sharing the experience.

So, as you can imagine that the transition has been a bit rough for me. Don't get me wrong, I definitely feel "healthier" and I'm happy I'm doing this. Am I putting my life on hold OR is this simply a transition period? OR is this my "new life"?

This morning, on "walkie", Lucy and I ran into one of her favorite people friends, a woman named Susan. Susan usually walks with two other women and I have always really admired them. I always felt like they are a trio who I'd really enjoy sharing a bottle of wine with (old life, of course!) I am guessing that they are in their late 50s or maybe early 60s and seem to have a really geniune friendship with each other. They walk every single day and they walk long & far... I didn't know how far until today. Anyhoo, Susan was on her own today and happened to be turning around so we walked together for a good 1/2 mile. Our conversation was very much like conversations I have with my own fabulous girlfriends. We covered topics like how we each ended up living in the SF Bay area, family, life in general. She (of course) asked if I had kids and her response, "it will happen when it is meant to." Love that!

That 1/2 walk disappeared quickly and I wished I could blow off work and continue walking with her.

At one point I asked her how long she walks and she said, "I walk for 4 1/2 hours" !!?!?! Wow. She's in fantastic shape, but I would have guessed that she and her friends walk more in the range of 4 1/2 miles. Lucy and I are slackers in comparison!

I am truly inspired... and a bit humbled.