June Update

Frozen peas have never been more valuable to me than they are in this moment.

After pounding the chalky pathways of the South Downs during my latest Ultra adventure, my left ankle has doubled in size and stopped me in my tracks. Currently the little green icy spheres are providing a moment of relief as they nestle in and soothe the ache. A slip on an unforgiving steep slope left me with a niggle at the half way point and a decision to make. Would I step to the right and run through the arches of the finisher lane to the cheers of enthusiastic spectators, knowing there was more in the tank but to stop might feel glorious. Or would I step to the left and quietly make my way to a pit stop, to refuel and continue out on the trail with the few who also had chosen the long haul that day. Both paths would end up at the same destination eventually, my decision was only to choose the length of journey that I wanted to take that day.

Sometimes we only have a split second to make our decisions. Sometimes there is no right choice, there’s only the choice that’s right in that moment. There are days when to simply stop and be noticed is all we might need. Other times there’s something rewarding in choosing to dig a bit deeper and step forward on to a new track, trusting there is enough fuel in the tank and some good folk out there to lean on. Always it’s easier when there are few paths to choose from and less decisions to make.

As the summer holiday approaches and transitions are abundant, trust that being clear and confident in ‘choices’ is what helps us all. Theres a certain kind of chaos that can creep in when the structure of a school week slips away. Keep the options simple – left or right. Keep the outcomes equal for your child – no right or wrong decision. Keep the structure clear – we all benefit from that. Consistency is key. Connection is everything. Compassion matters, for yourself and for others.

My choice took me on an adventure that took endurance, it was uniquely beautiful and incredibly painful at times…and just like parenting none of it was easy, all of it was worth it…one step at a time…and when you’re tired and bruised, frozen peas help.

- Katy