Pain is Inevitable. Suffering is Optional.

I love this saying.  I think it pertains to how I have been feeling for the last year.  I was in pain for so long, but refused to put up with it.  So I tried all I could until I found what worked and got me through the pain. Enough to end it.  I think this somehow relates to aging as well.  Getting old-er, is inevitable, but aging is optional.

I turned the big 5-0 this past year, and it was a tremendous year for me!  It all started in February with the completion of the I ho Chuan, and earning my 3rd degree black belt.  I was also blessed with 2 new grandchildren, and met a wonderful man.  I learned how to do a eskimo roll in my kayak, how to properly cross country ski, I completed the Mud Heroes obstacle course, I hiked down in the Grand Canyon, Zip lined in Whitefish Montana, rock climbed in Sedona Arizona as well as mountain biked in Phoenix Arizona, (in 45 degree weather I may add), kayaked the North Saskatewan River several times, and I had oh so many other outdoor adventures.  For me, there is no such thing as old age.    By the time I was 27, I had four children.  I worked very hard as a mom for a lot of years, and the last 13 of them as a single mom.  Now at only 50, my children are all grown and my time is my own, for the most part.  I feel very blessed to be able to do the numerous fun things that I do, and I never ever take it for granted.  

In the summer I kayak, hike, camp, mountain bike. I love it!  This past summer, I was gone every weekend doing these things.  Makes me dread winter, and this year was no different.  It's almost "painful", and I know it would be easy to "suffer" through the winter months.  This winter, it has been such a joy, as I decided to totally dive into cross country skiing, and snow shoeing.  (Bought snow shoes at the end of winter last year)   I have been gone almost every weekend so far this year.  This winter alone, I have skied the Drayton Valley Pembina nordic ski trails several times, as well as in the rural areas of Drayton Valley, and snow shoed there as well.  I have skied at Lake Chickakoo, the Spruce grove Golf course, Leduc Golf course, Red Deer golf course, Heritage Ranch in Red Deer, around the fields in town here, and in Barrhead as well.  All of them great experiences.  I have cross country skied more regular in the past 3 years, but have never really learned proper technique.  This year, my boyfriend is teaching me how to properly ski.  It's wonderful, as I can fly down the hills without fear, and learn that there is more than one way to ski.

All these things I enjoy doing, I am trying to pass on to my grandchildren and teach them to enjoy life and stay active and healthy.  I would love it if my grandchildren became passionate about the things that I am.  My 4 year old grandson has joined me when I snow shoed, done kung fu, gone kayaking, camping, and he LOVES it, just as he loves the mountains.  He also works out with his parents.  My youngest daughter and her husband work out a lot and are very conscious of their health.  Even though they have a 4 year old and a 5 month old, they still make it to the gym in their condo.  This is a great example for their kids to be there and see them working out.  I went to the gym with them a few weeks ago, and the baby played on the floor, my son in law did weights, my daughter ran on the tread mill, and my 4 year old grandson lifted small weights with his dad, while I biked.  My grandson also did some push ups.  Amazing!  Better than I have seen some adults do.

My family is very important to me, and being able to be an active grandparent is especially important.  Even being active with my kids is important.  When we go to the Waterpark, I don't want to be left alone sitting and watching.  I want to be racing the kids up the stairs to go down the slides.  I don't want to sit and watch my children play with my grandchildren.  I want to play with my grandchildren, and for me "playing" is defined as skiing, snow shoeing, hiking camping, dancing, kayaking, swimming.  Even riding a go cart. I am so passionate about the outdoors, and being active, and I want so desperately to pass that on to future generations.  My one big goal in life has been to raise my children to be fine, respectable, adults that love life, and can make a difference in the world.  I feel I have done that, and through them, I myself have made a difference in the world.

I am happy to say that all 4 of my children exercise and are aware of their health, and take steps to stay healthy.  They are proud of me and the activities I enjoy and they see how happy it makes me.  My daughters are showing interest in the passions I love, and my one daughter has asked me to take her skiing and snow shoeing this year.  She too feels somewhat depressed in the winter, and she would like to learn how to enjoy it, instead of suffering through it.

I enjoy kung fu all year long, and it is such an amazing asset to all other things I enjoy doing; survival skills in life and in the river, balance skills on my skis, confidence to go to Mud Heroes.  About a month ago, my boyfriend was teaching me how to do a ski technique.  He talked about transferring weight and committing to the move.  Say what??!!  Where have I heard that before?

I love kung fu.  I love being in the outdoors.  I love my family, and spending time with them.  I feel some days that it is such a struggle to balance all these passions in my life.  Most days though, I feel I do alright.  But. . . . not a single day goes by that I do not know with such surety, that I am blessed with the time, physical ability, and health, to do all these things I love so much.