{"id":23901,"date":"2025-12-30T16:52:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T16:52:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/?p=23901"},"modified":"2026-02-21T00:25:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T00:25:26","slug":"datcsitafbip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/2025\/12\/30\/datcsitafbip\/","title":{"rendered":"Distilling all the chaos to stillness &#8211; I&#8217;m tired and fatigued &#8211; but I persist"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"23901\" class=\"elementor elementor-23901\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84c2905 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"84c2905\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3709ad8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-thim-ekits-heading\" data-id=\"3709ad8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"thim-ekits-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thim-ekits-heading thim-ekit__heading\"><h3 class=\"title\">I'm Tired - I Seek Rest - And I Find Joy And Stillness<\/h3><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e43868 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6e43868\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6b856c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f6b856c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0808-1024x768.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23907\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0808-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0808-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0808-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0808-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0808-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0808-500x375.png 500w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0808-550x413.png 550w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0808-820x615.png 820w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">THe major lift completed, my kiddo tucked into the stillness - this was what the journey effort was for - but the effort to get there only accentuates the \"stillness\".<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4abf29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d4abf29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0805-1024x768.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23906\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0805-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0805-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0805-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0805-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0805-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0805-500x375.png 500w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0805-550x413.png 550w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0805-820x615.png 820w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">In the middle of the recalibration and the chaos of change - about halfway - my 10 year old taking in the change in the mirror and the joy of the change and explloring potential future moments!<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48cfbba elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"48cfbba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I captured a moment of \u201cstillness\u201d after a long day spent recalibrating my daughter\u2019s bedroom. Rear\u2011view\u2011mirror glimpses can be grounding, though sometimes they feel more like fairytales. This quiet pause, following a day full of joyful moments, reminded me of how rare stillness has been this year. Rest and recovery weren\u2019t easy; deliberate, purposeful acts often required more energy than I had, while life kept demanding adaptation and throwing plot twists I never asked for.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dde1e94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dde1e94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This moment of distilled quiet \u2014 the kind my mind often craves \u2014 has too often required effort that left me fatigued and bewildered. I\u2019m grateful that my spouse, Liz Livingston, and my kids trust me, even when the nonexistent instruction manual has been replaced by chaos and whisky\u2011tango\u2011foxtrot moments.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-096b814 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"096b814\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As I close out the year, I find myself reflecting on how much compulsory demand is baked into misguided American culture. It reminds me why I keep seeking stillness, and why I try to bridle my desires with discipline, determination, and dedication. Injury and life have both been heavier than usual, shaped by forces far beyond my control. Navigating my own path with mindful self\u2011scrutiny isn\u2019t easy, but it\u2019s something I\u2019ve been doing since I was fourteen.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d35246f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d35246f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">People love to throw out clich\u00e9s about friends and cliffs \u2014 but my circle has always been small, and I was usually already at the metaphorical edge doing gainers into deep water. My risk\u2011reward calculations have always been methodical, guided by intuition, lessons learned, and the wisdom of those who came before me. I\u2019m grateful for the \u201cdaemons\u201d \u2014 my kids, my ancestors, my mentors \u2014 who help me filter the noise.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1841c53 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1841c53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Too often, while wrestling with obstacles, I forget the sweetness of the journey itself \u2014 the waypoints that matter just as much as any outcome, whether planned, prescribed, or serendipitous. I\u2019ve noticed how destination blindness robs so many people of joy.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74347ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"74347ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">My hope is that when I find myself sitting in the mud \u2014 alone or alongside someone else in theirs \u2014 I remember to honor the privilege of our sparks colliding. In those dark, muddy pauses, the small light we share with one another is its own kind of greatness. And when we rise from those moments, may we carry our sparks forward for others who find themselves navigating their own whisky\u2011tango\u2011foxtrot chapters.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5f34f0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e5f34f0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d13ccc elementor-widget elementor-widget-thim-ekits-heading\" data-id=\"2d13ccc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"thim-ekits-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thim-ekits-heading thim-ekit__heading\"><h2 class=\"title\">Some recent reflections to close 2025<\/h2><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3368913 elementor-widget elementor-widget-thim-ekits-heading\" data-id=\"3368913\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"thim-ekits-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thim-ekits-heading thim-ekit__heading\"><h3 class=\"title\">Reflection 1 - Distilling Chaos,Joy and Sitting in Stillness<\/h3><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4bdb5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e4bdb5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0804-1024x768.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23905\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0804-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0804-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0804-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0804-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0804-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0804-500x375.png 500w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0804-550x413.png 550w, https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0804-820x615.png 820w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-359ff5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"359ff5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Spent a big part of today giving my 10\u2011year\u2011old\u2019s room a makeover \u2014 the princess bed is officially retired, and the loft bed era has begun. Her excitement was off the charts. Watching her bounce between pure joy and that classic neurodivergent \u201cokay\u2026 what do I do next?\u201d moment was honestly adorable. She\u2019s such a bright, joyful little sunbeam, and getting to witness her move from one joyful moment to the next felt like a gift.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e717b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e717b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I know she\u2019ll eventually have to navigate a world that doesn\u2019t always offer the guardrails so many people fought for. I just hope she gets to stay a kid for as long as she needs, without being pushed into adulthood too soon.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58f2066 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"58f2066\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Today\u2019s bonus: a surprise free Cold Stone treat thanks to a random coupon. She was beaming while the teen behind the counter made her ice cream. Meanwhile, he kept looking at me instead of her, and I wanted to say, \u201cdude!!!she\u2019s the customer.\u201d It\u2019s wild how often kids \u2014 and women \u2014 don\u2019t get the same basic courtesy men get by default. It\u2019s frustrating.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d836b03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d836b03\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But overall? A recalibrated room, a joyful kiddo, and ice cream magic. I\u2019ll take it.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2124c98 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2124c98\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ecde55 elementor-widget elementor-widget-thim-ekits-heading\" data-id=\"1ecde55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"thim-ekits-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thim-ekits-heading thim-ekit__heading\"><h3 class=\"title\">Reflection 2 - WTF 2025<\/h3><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe2f454 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fe2f454\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent.fslc3-2.fna.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/602395863_10234778255171599_1455111380757843371_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s1080x2048_tt6&#038;_nc_cat=105&#038;ccb=1-7&#038;_nc_sid=833d8c&#038;_nc_ohc=zCvt7GMacY0Q7kNvwGiPwme&#038;_nc_oc=AdnuJQo3mtbOR0DTVNLd3vsAtmrRHOsdWFGe10VdX63LV0srsu1joVIRLtiDQToI59k&#038;_nc_zt=23&#038;_nc_ht=scontent.fslc3-2.fna&#038;_nc_gid=BjsAUoNHuD0On5MD7bIrcA&#038;oh=00_AfnbCUarDZ25yVQ9zU6iw7HB1eAg3AtSGivir0_kHmLfag&#038;oe=6959A846\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-babbf30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"babbf30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yeah, this year has felt a bit like William Wallace in Braveheart\u2014constantly colliding with a system that seems designed to test my patience, my autonomy, and occasionally my sanity.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e732efe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e732efe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But as the Stoics would say, the obstacle is the way\u2026 even if the obstacle is wearing chainmail and shouting at me in Middle English.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f22cc49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f22cc49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Honestly, I\u2019m starting to think the Irish guy had the right idea: stay unpredictable, laugh at the chaos, and let everyone assume the gods are on your side.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43eead3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"43eead3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82d50f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-thim-ekits-heading\" data-id=\"82d50f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"thim-ekits-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thim-ekits-heading thim-ekit__heading\"><h3 class=\"title\">Reflection 3 - Journeying the Chaos<\/h3><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4b869f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f4b869f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent.fslc3-2.fna.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/605127637_10234827165634330_1193952594811675048_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s1080x2048_tt6&#038;_nc_cat=111&#038;ccb=1-7&#038;_nc_sid=833d8c&#038;_nc_ohc=kgEiyUzO5y8Q7kNvwFlIwEm&#038;_nc_oc=AdniGNWHe8nDWID98W57WtiOUl5p3PnZhc40K2x9S9aznqMH5CVmrYzCH8fGnh8x9S8&#038;_nc_zt=23&#038;_nc_ht=scontent.fslc3-2.fna&#038;_nc_gid=EgkqZOmWkFzmTJ-xStgDcw&#038;oh=00_AfnY4hIE06bAlzMbdYv5_xRAncT8gY9p8-ayg3l1FDRX9w&#038;oe=6959C08E\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0897939 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0897939\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The chaos of having to stay patient\u2014the endurance, the long suffering\u2014has been overwhelming. I try to let empathy and kindness guide me, even through the plot twists, the pivots, and the apathy around me. I\u2019m exhausted. I\u2019m worn thin. But I still believe that good usually finds a way to prevail. So however you search for hope, hold on. Stay with it.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fdc98f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fdc98f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cObjective judgment, now at this very moment. Unselfish action, now at this very moment. Willing acceptance\u2014now at this very moment\u2014of all external events. That&#8217;s all you need.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote><p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">&#8211; Marcus Aurelius<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9eb45dc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9eb45dc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb3717f elementor-widget elementor-widget-thim-ekits-heading\" data-id=\"eb3717f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"thim-ekits-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thim-ekits-heading thim-ekit__heading\"><h3 class=\"title\">Reflection 4 - From December 19, 2024<\/h3><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5bb054 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d5bb054\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>&#8220;The wise woman\u2019s stone \u2018\u2019 &#8211; Unknown<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb87d5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cb87d5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com\/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS7RcIXzqY3z7ItB9RVMEEpCKlza2xrskmSHQ&#038;s\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa92341 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aa92341\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking,\u201d he said, \u201cI know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious? Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone ? \u2018\u2764<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df2411b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"df2411b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I\u2019m grateful for the way this story invites me to think. Lately, I\u2019ve been exploring the relationship between the journey itself \u2014 the experiences, the waypoints \u2014 and the measured outcomes at the destination. Both paths offer countless opportunities to intersect with joy or anything else life brings.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cef7a50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cef7a50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Too often, I notice myself and others getting trapped in hyper\u2011focus on one or the other: either the journey or the outcome. In doing so, we sometimes miss a more fulfilling experience \u2014 integrating the lessons from the entire end\u2011to\u2011end process.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75b6d2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"75b6d2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This story gives me space to pause, reflect, understand what truly matters to me, and then recalibrate and refocus.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d0e6dc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5d0e6dc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-863cc39 elementor-widget elementor-widget-thim-ekits-heading\" data-id=\"863cc39\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"thim-ekits-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thim-ekits-heading thim-ekit__heading\"><h3 class=\"title\">Reflection 5 - A thought on Reading by Ryan Holiday<\/h3><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92961d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"92961d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1821123318608255%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=0\" width=\"267\" height=\"476\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowFullScreen=\"true\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198781b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"198781b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a dyslexic &#8211; reading can be hard, I am grateful for other mediums so I can be a participant on this &#8220;bridge&#8221;.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f052ff2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f052ff2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-901f7da elementor-widget elementor-widget-thim-ekits-heading\" data-id=\"901f7da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"thim-ekits-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thim-ekits-heading thim-ekit__heading\"><h3 class=\"title\">Last reflection - A capture and a thought from our journeys to Bremen Germany<\/h3><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a738d34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a738d34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent.fslc3-2.fna.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/486548814_10231107134115867_172185731085155032_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&#038;ccb=1-7&#038;_nc_sid=127cfc&#038;_nc_ohc=Ve0eJ0MMSgcQ7kNvwE3E0-y&#038;_nc_oc=AdlqVW1YpuSRG2yetb_pFFZS_IHN0hTP7uqixUmpR_Nr-sfLByP3rloOEA_juxpbXCQIECYL9NRkRGUd8Mrq6X9E&#038;_nc_zt=23&#038;_nc_ht=scontent.fslc3-2.fna&#038;_nc_gid=DhGCqjxHwX-FH470tywI-w&#038;oh=00_Afm33aDBgMtzfg-PuaRuUvQEfTiOqX5ART4kihdCEa4UEQ&#038;oe=6959EC9D\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e10d321 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e10d321\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The burdens of what she carried from her fall protecting Dennis down the stairs years ago finally had promise- an impossible that had turned for her into I\u2019m possible!\u00a0 The context is below:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-958525e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"958525e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The image above is probably one of my favorite captures I have ever taken &#8211; under the bridge walkway in Bremen, Germany adjacent to the Schmoor and the river. After walking the schmoor and the Christmas market &#8211; Liz&#8217;s first big post surgery adventure &#8211; we happend across this moment!\u00a0 The person that sheltered there was not present, but on that cold day along the river with Lucas on my back and Liz Livingston wandering the streets post surgery a few thoughts emerged!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5fab65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a5fab65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The thoughts that my other kiddos, while in great care with the grand parents &#8211; this empty feeling could be something they were bearing &#8211; with the lights of hope that mom would be better!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a843d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0a843d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Today- I see it reflect a vivid feeling &#8211; I feel that I am grieving living people &#8211; as they apathetically accept and willfully or otherwise discard their agency to systems that ignore their value, worth or others of this human experience &#8211; I don\u2019t say much on the socials &#8211; but life is more difficult and heavier than I have encountered as an adult &#8211; and I feel that the latch key approach I thought we had matured past is alive and present again! Gen Xers have always just absorbed and adapted, this comfort carousel of others &#8211; to which I cannot exert control &#8211; is a Painintheass and does not represent the value system I was sold in adolescence- so this image is one of hope for me &#8211; demonstrating how recalibration allows for light and reconstructive improvements after wading thru darkness that can seem overbearing &#8211; I will not soon forget those that choose to sit with me (virtually or in person) &#8211; not to fix me, but to abide with me until the light after the storm that almost always emerges helps to provide clarity from uncertainty few can navigate &#8211; uncertainty is too often all I sojourn thru.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f38548 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f38548\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">So yes, it\u2019s an image that struck the fairytales past and future in a way that allows for my present today to be affected &#8211; I feel alive and am grateful that Liz took this leap &#8211; it was an still is a miracle &#8211; we lived it and still live its fruits today!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6663b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d6663b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea\u00a0 Cheers \/ memories of the schmoor &#8211; Bremen Germany!\u00a0 \ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b93b0f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7b93b0f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d7ab79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-thim-ekits-heading\" data-id=\"4d7ab79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"thim-ekits-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thim-ekits-heading thim-ekit__heading\"><h3 class=\"title\">PS reflection - A thought from the pool<\/h3><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53ca540 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"53ca540\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fzentriathlete%2Fposts%2F811018113655769%3A811018113655769&show_text=true&width=500\" width=\"500\" height=\"456\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;m Tired &#8211; I Seek Rest &#8211; And I Find Joy And Stillness THe major lift completed, my kiddo tucked into the stillness &#8211; this was what the journey effort was for &#8211; but the effort to get there only [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23783,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"nf_dc_page":"","_eb_attr":"","pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","rs_blank_template":"","rs_page_bg_color":"","slide_template_v7":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[674,817],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2025-check-ins","category-prnci"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23901"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23901\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23924,"href":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23901\/revisions\/23924"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23783"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyinthehills.com\/zentriathlete\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}