Life Archives - Catherine Hughes

May 2, 2022May 2, 2022

Comparison is a Thief of Joy

Comparison is a thief to joy.

There are so many ways to compare ourselves. We compare our lives to the lives we believe others are leading on social media. Essentially, comparing our low lights to the high lights in the lives of our friends or celebrities.

We somehow always find ourselves lacking.

We may feel we lack opportunities, wealth, family, and fun. And then wonder why we are not living a bigger life. Not noticing before the comparison, we were pretty happy with our lives.

But maybe worse than comparing ourselves to someone else’s highlights, we also compare ourselves to ourselves.

The selves we used to be:
Where did our energy go?
Where did my abs go?
Why can’t I lift the weights I did 5 years ago?
Why can’t I run an 8-minute mile anymore?

Or maybe you are comparing who you thought you would be with who you are? I thought I would be married. Have kids. Be retired. Be further in my career.

All of this comparison steals the joy of being who you are today. And today, you are uniquely you. There is no one quite like you. Even you are a little different than you were yesterday.

So, today, enjoy being you. Lift the weight you can and be grateful for the strength you have. Run the pace you are capable of today and know you are a better run just for running.

Be you.

PS – This may have just been a reminder to myself. You know, to just be me. If you resonate with this as well, remember to be you. No one else can be you but you.

April 30, 2022April 30, 2022

Important Stuff

What is truly the important stuff in our lives?

Family
Friends
Health
Independence
Laughter
Love
Adventure
Learning

What would you add to this list?

And if you took an audit of your time and money, would how you spent both reflect your list?

Something to think about over the weekend.

Will how you spend your time, energy, and money this weekend reflect your important stuff?

If not, maybe it is time to consider what you really value.

April 22, 2022

Take Some Time for Yourself

Note to self –

It has been an emotional week. Take some time for yourself this weekend.

The tears may come this weekend; let them come. The laughs may come too. Don’t judge yourself for laughing while mourning.

Your kids are all home for another day; they are also mourning. It’s hard to see your kids when they are hurting.

Give hugs and let others hug you.

Be grateful for the life you have been given. For the family you have and the friends you have made.

Time and health are not guaranteed. Don’t waste the blessing of either.

Spend some time outside. Nature has a way of healing the soul and reigniting your purpose.

Take care of yourself this weekend.

Laugh. Love. Hug. Cry. And move with intention as you continue on your journey of life.

April 21, 2022

Progress

Progress requires the courage to take a step towards your goal.

We tend to overthink our goals. Thinking we need a grand gesture. The go big or stay home mindset.

But the journey starts with the first baby step. The very first step will enact the force of momentum.

Momentum is a part of physics. According to Newton ;

“An object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion remains in motion at constant speed and in a straight line unless acted on by an unbalanced force.”

Start the motion today.

Take the first step today. Make the second step tomorrow. Slowly, keep moving forward.

Each day moves forward in your journey. A journey you have the choice to direct or be directed by outside forces.

Choose and move forward.

The daily choice to take the next step is the only thing you need to make progress.

It is all up to you.

April 20, 2022

Everyday Decisions

It is the everyday decisions that create our lives.

The decision to run in the morning or to hit the snooze button.

The choice to connect with your parents, children, or friends through a call instead of posting on social media.

The decision to eat an apple instead of a donut.

The decision to attend your child’s sporting event instead of continuing to work on a project.

Each choice you make each day makes you a better or worse version of yourself.

The results of your everyday decisions may take years to be seen. But the effects of your choices will show up through improved physical, mental and spiritual health. Or declining health, relationships, and life.

Which one choice today are you willing to make for a better future version of yourself?

April 19, 2022April 19, 2022

Do the Thing to be the Person you Want to be

Do the thing to be the person you want to be –

In order to be a writer, you must write.

To be a runner, you must run.

Simple concept, which humans make hard.

Will you become the world’s fastest runner, simply by tying your shoes and running? No. Not likely.

But each run will make you a bit better. Each run will be a bit different, some easier, some harder. Some will seem easy, yet you ran your fastest pace yet.

Running is simple, lace up your shoes and go. And it can be complicated, making sure you have the right shoes for the way you run. The right clothes, which wick away sweat. Make sure your pace is correct. Run with a group or do it on your own?

But in the end, the only thing which really makes you a runner is the simple fact you went out the door and ran.

To be a runner, run.

Substitute any verb for the noun you want to be.

Do the thing to be the person you want to be.

April 17, 2022

Cycles

Our time on earth is marked in a series of cycles or seasons. The four seasons. The seasons of childhood and adulthood. The sun rises and sets each day.

I woke to a full moon reflecting on the lake – one of the many phases of nature.

It is also Easter Sunday. For some, today is a Christian holy day. A day of religious celebration. The end of the forty days of lent.

For others, Easter means a big meal celebrated with family. For others, it is simply a day of Easter baskets and candy.

It is a mark of the end of winter and the rebirth of spring.

It is also obviously Sunday, the first day of the week or the last day of the weekend. I guess it depends on your outlook. Another day to do your own thing. Or a day off as your mind drifts towards Monday.

There is no stopping the seasons or the cycles of life.

We can dread the change of seasons, compulsory holiday dinners, and work prep. Or we can bring gratitude for the gift of each new day.

The days will keep coming until they don’t. There is nothing humans can do to stop the changes and progressions of life. The only thing we can change is our attitude towards them.

Happy Easter.

Happy Sunday.

Happy first day of the week.

Happy Pink Full Moon.

Choose what and how you celebrate today.

April 16, 2022

Show Up

Show up

Do the thing you want to do.

Show up for yourself. You don’t have to do it for anyone but you. You may think you can put it off. And honestly, you could put it off, and no one but you would know.

You need to do it.

Show up.

Simple.

Simple, but not easy.

April 15, 2022

Note to self –

Show up for yourself this weekend.

Do the thing which is weighing on your soul. It won’t take that much time.

Go for a run. Not because you signed up for a race. Run for you. Because you know deep down in your soul just how much better you will feel when you do it.

Dust off your camera and take photos. When you see the world focused through a lens releases something in you. Just point and shoot. No need to worry about sharing them. The photos are for you.

And eat some real food sitting at a table with someone you love.

Nothing complicated this weekend. Simple. Joyful. Loving.

January 1, 2022February 5, 2022

Celebrity Loss List

Celebrity Loss List

It is the time of year when the media outlets start showcasing the celebrities we lost this year. The actors whose performances riveted us in our seats. The musicians whose music we grew up singing to in the car. The authors whose books made us think in different ways.

But this year was a year many of us experienced personal losses; family, friends, coworkers, and our fur babies. Lives which ended before we rang in 2022.

I would love to take a moment to talk about a few of my losses. Losses I haven’t yet processed. Which don’t seem real yet, because I haven’t yet experienced the events they should be at, but won’t. Continue reading “Celebrity Loss List”