The serenity prayer may be known for its association with twelve-step programs, but I find myself reflecting on its words during these challenging times–and the challenges keep coming. #Thanks2020
I am trying not to stress over things I cannot change while still doing what I can to have a positive impact.
Searching For Serenity Now
As much as the serenity prayer resonates, I struggle with the words. There are so many terrible things I feel powerless to change–I don’t want to “accept” any of them. I prefer to focus on the call to action of the next line–taking courage to change the things I can. I guess the first challenge I face is accepting that there are things I cannot change!
The last line of the prayer seems to draw a line between the first two, but it also works as a bridge.
I cannot change Covid-19, but I can stay home and wear a mask when I go out. I cannot change what the President says or threatens to do, but I can vote early and often–just kidding! I cannot eliminate racial disparities, but I can listen and learn how to work to rectify injustices in my workplace, neighborhood, and community. I can’t fix the economy, but I can support organizations helping those in need. I can’t save the environment, but I can make choices to reduce my toll on our planet.
When the calm words of the serenity prayer don’t work, I can always try more extreme tactics.
Weekly Run Down
At least the weather was good this week. I even needed long sleeves one day!
Monday: 55 min Peloton Strength Workouts
Monday has become a strength day to give my legs a break after running and cycling over the weekend. Not shown: my one mile walk with Scooby before starting my stack of Peloton strength workouts.
Tuesday: 4.7 Scooby Miles + 30 min Peloton Strength Workouts
Brr! Temperatures in the mid-50s mean I had to dig out a long-sleeve shirt!
Scooby was patient and let me do 30 minutes of strength before taking him out.
I had woken up super early, so I took a lot of classes to pass the time until the 7 am live class. I started with 10 min core and strength for runners classes, did a 30 min intervals run with Scooby, and still had time for a 10 upper body workout.
It was warm enough for short sleeves,
but I had to break out my headlamp.
Thursday: 3.5 Scooby Miles + 10 min Peloton Core
Scooby insisted on going out first thing, so it was still dark as we finished our run.
One of many hazards encountered on my run–
a construction trailer blocking the sidewalk.
Friday: 3.15 Scooby Miles + 35 min Peloton Strength
I got a later start, so my run straddled the sunrise, although it was too cloudy for any pretty views.
Saturday: 5.5 Treadmill Miles
It was too wet for a run, so after taking Scooby out I stacked a few Peloton workouts–including a 20 min run and 60 min bootcamp that together logged me 5.5 miles.
The Black History Month Bootcamp was recorded in-studio before the pandemic shut things down, and felt like such a celebration. That and the endorphins really lifted my mood.
Sunday: 3.5 Scooby Miles + 10 min Peloton Core
Was surprised to wake up to rain, but it stopped by the time I finished my core workout so I took Scooby out for a run. Spotted some new painted rocks I can’t see on our dark o’clock runs.
This one says “Be Creative”
+ 28.67 Miles Cycling
We got surprised by some drizzle but overall it was a great ride.
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up. It’s always great for motivation and encouragement, but now it’s especially important for distance socializing. We may be physically apart, but we are in this together!
How are you coping with stress these days?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
It’s amazing but not at all surprising how stressed the entire nation seems to be right now. Sadly I think the pressure is going to build right up to election day. Scooby is the best run buddy ever!
Scooby is getting to be a brat! Getting me out of bed if I try to sleep past 6, and complaining if I take too long to take him out — even if he doesn’t seem to need to “go” right away.
You are right there are so many things that we cannot change and so many things that we change our reaction to. Crushing those Peloton class again this week. Love your cycling photo today!
These are challenging times for sure! At least I can take my mind off things for a short time on the bike.
It’s been so hard and the cumulative stress is really getting to me. I cannot wait for all the politics to be over. Or will it?
Well, the first question is when it will be over. Once that it settled I think there will be a reprieve, at least for a little while.
“I am trying not to stress over things I cannot change while still doing what I can to have a positive impact.” – I can’t express how much I relate to this! You summed exactly how I’ve been feeling recently.
Great job as always on your workouts this week and congrats on hitting that running milestone!
Thanks, Kim. It’s a struggle to convince myself that what I do matters against so much that needs changing, but I also believe small steps can add up.
Funny the dogs don’t insist on going out first thing in the morning. I guess cause they’re senior (or in Lola’s case, geriatric) dogs. I do my Yoga, usually wrapping up around 7 or so, and then I go & get them.
Taking action is always a good way to combat those feelings of helplessness!
Scooby is my shadow from the moment I get out of bed. If I try to do a dynamic warm-up, I have to keep moving away from him to avoid kicking him, because he has to be right next ti me.
Bandit is really weird. He’s made it really clear I’m his person. Most of the time he’s near me — but not usually that near, and rarely actually lays on me or even with me (unless he wants to eat or go out, which you’d think is counterproductive but he doesn’t seem to think so).
But sometimes I’m upstairs & he’ll be downstairs or visa versa. Right now we have to gate the stairs, so if he doesn’t move his butt quickly he sometimes gets stuck where he is.
And when I go out, he lays at the top of the stairs if Mr. Judy’s upstairs, or on top of the couch if Mr. Judy isn’t there. He’s just weird!
I’m finding it harder and harder to keep the stress at bay! Like you, I’ve been trying to focus on where I can take action.
Great job with all of you Peloton workouts! And congrats on hitting your running milestone!
I think the stress is just going to get worse over the next few months, so I need to figure out how to cope.
I have the same Brooks ravennas 🙂
You are so hooked on the Peloton workouts! The ones I did with my sister this past weekend were fun, though we did start (and stop) one that was a dud, haha!
Now I want to know what class/instructor that was! I certainly have my favorites and not so favorties!
I also struggle with things that I cannot change…at least I have 100% control of my attitude. I do believe there are always bright spots, even in the darkest of times (sorry…that sounded way too profound and philosophical LOL), and focusing on those bright spots really helps keep me grounded. I love seeing your daily action! Scooby is lucky to have such a willing running partner 😉
Scooby and I enable each other I guess!
I like your mindset about this. It can be so hard to have so many things happening that feel like they are out of our control! Great job with your workouts this week!
Stress levels are running high, but letting go of things we really can’t do anything about helps if I can really do it!
I cannot wait until Nov. 3. Hopefully good changes after that. It’s so hard to accept things as they are now.
Lucky we have running biking etc to keep sane.
I wonder how long after Nov 3 until it’s settled …..
I needed to read that prayer, right now at this moment. Thanks for sharing this powerful message Coco.
Wine helps me cope with stress. 🙂
Another great week for you! Way to go!!
I am missing my Peloton subscription this week! I have to search for a workout to do on my own now. It will probably take me longer to pick one I like than the actual workout! Good reminder on the prayer. Good workouts this week too!