Things I Need

I have been thinking recently about things I need. It started with thinking about how I needed exercise. Not in the I'm-out-of-shape-and-need-exercise way (although that is true) but in the it's something I need in my life for balance. This picture was taken last year in April after we completed the Whidbey Island 1/2 Marathon. As you can see in the photo I am completely whipped. It took alot out of me and because of that and not having to drive Tucker to seminary any more I gave up running. (I never liked it much anyway). Problem is, I didn't replace it with anything. I kidded myself for awhile that the mile walk to and from work was exercise. But as my stomach and butt have continued to expand month by month that belief has to be given up. What I have discovered though is that I need exercise for more than just the physical aspect of it. I need it emotionally too. In the eight or so months since I have stopped exercising, my mood has become bluer and bluer. Not depressed I would say, but blue or maybe apathetic about things. Must be the lack of endorfins or something. All I know is that I feel better about life if I am exercising. Whether that's because I feel better about the way I look (my clothes fit better for sure) or I just feel better about life in general. I need exercise!
Well, this got me to thinking about other things I "need" for balance in my life. These are just a few things I thought about while walking home today. I'm sure I could think of a million but that would make this blog way too long. (These are in no particular order)
I need women friends. Not best friends, I have never been much good at being "best friends", just good friends. Recently I met with my book club group (Peg in the picture with me & Dennis is in this group) and we talked about how great it was to have a group of women friends from diverse backgrounds and situations. It was pointed out that you can find some connection with just about anyone if you put in the effort and that effort was worthwhile for the connections you make. (We actually didn't spend much time talking about the book we had read that month!) It made me realize how thankful I was for this book club that gave me a "connection" with this particular group of women. We all have different things that connect us in some way, whether it's kids in the same school, kids on the same team or no kids but shared friends. Whatever the reason we came together, it is wonderful to have the opportunity to meet with them and share bits of our lives with each other. I also have wonderful friends from church and school. I am thrilled to have that "connection" to so many really cool & awesome people!
I need family. My family is large and gets larger every year. By family I mean my husband, kids, mom & dad, my siblings, my siblings' kids, the kids of my siblings' kids, my aunts & uncles, cousins, and my in-laws (all of them). (Yes, I am a great-aunt if you didn't catch that). I love to read the blogs (of those who have them) and see what is going on with everyone. Everyone is at different stages of life but connected by the fact that we are family. I love getting wedding invitations and adding new members to the family that way. I love getting birth announcements and seeing new little beings come into the family. I love seeing any one them that I can when the family gets together and hearing about what is happening in their lives and seeing how much the little ones have grown and changed. I love hearing about their accomplishments, talents and even life struggles. I wish that more of them were closer, or we were closer to them.
I need music. As I was walking home today and thinking about music (I was listening to my i-pod), I thought about how much I love the music produced by violins whether it is a jaunty Irish tune or a plaintive ballad. I like music from all kinds of genres. Some music moves me (hymns, movie scores, celtic ballads) others make me want to dance or sing along (I don't with the i-pod) or just make me smile. I am glad their is music in the world.
I need books. That should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me. I love to read and again from a wide range of topics, subjects and genres. I feel restless when I don't have something to read. I am glad that there are so many good books in the word.
Well, lest this blog continue on into ridiculousness, I will leave it at that. Besides, this post isn't nearly as interesting as the one I composed in my head on the way home from work. There are many, many things that I "need" in my life and I am thankful I have been blessed to have so many of those needs met.
(BTW, Dennis signed me up at the Ballard Health Club so now I am getting the exercise that I need)