For the past several years I have chosen one word as my mantra for the year. In the past few years they were Believe (2018), Strength (2017), Joy (2016), and Challenge (2015).

This year it took time to find my word but then it appeared to me…. EXPLORE. The year 2019 is my year to explore – this will include exploring the world with travel, exploring what brings me true joy and pleasure, and exploring what is out there for me to find.

Why I Want To Explore

Last year I had gone through several changes. Many of them were changes I wanted to make, but they had to be forced upon me in order for me to actually do it. I was released from a job that wasn’t right for me. This was the change I needed in order to live and do what I want to do.

When I went off to work on my own, I had to believe in myself. I had to trust that I could fly on my own and to understand that when good things came my way, that they were meant for me. I had a lot of doubt and insecurities. My confidence was stripped away from me. But that is all starting to change.

What I Have Explored This Year Already

Just a week ago I finished my fifth Walt Disney World Marathon weekend Dopey Challenge. I was very nervous about this race, mostly the marathon portion of the race. I felt undertrained. My longest training run was 13 miles. I would have liked to get more miles under my feet; but I kept running throughout the time prior to the race; but they were short runs.

Several of my friends were also feeling unprepared for this race. They were dealing with illness and injury, so we were sharing our concerns and fears with each other. We encouraged each other that we would do whatever it takes to get the challenge finished.

I hate to admit this; but I did have a fleeting moment where I considered not doing the marathon. However, my children and husband were going to be at the finish line of the marathon so I couldn’t let them down. I wanted to be an example to my children to never give up. I know the training is important; but finishing what you start is also an important message I want them to know.

When I finished the race I was overcome with emotion. I was so proud of my accomplishment and the realization that I am still passionate about training for and running races.

I Am Exploring To Find What I Love

My Passion For Running

Now, I am on a mission to explore my re-ignited love of running. I was selected by Another Mother Runner to be one of their Brand Ambassadors (#BAMRbassador). I am so excited to be a part of a larger group in the running community to share my passion for running and all things associated with training, racing, recovery, taking care of yourself, gear, and more.

My Passion For Photography

I am also exploring my love of photography. I always enjoyed taking pictures; but now I set up time to go out and take photographs. When we were in Disney after the races were over, I packed up my camera that I was blessed to receive from Best Buy at Mom 2.0 last year, and took pictures at the parks. I especially loved capturing the images at night with the special lighting within the parks. I had so much fun snapping the photos everywhere.

When we came back home from the trip there was a large ice storm and the temperatures dropped to the single digits. I was getting cabin fever so I dressed up in my cold weather running gear and put on my snow pants, boots, coat and buff and went up to the farm with my camera.

I walked all the way up to the hill to find the cows and stayed up there to take photographs of the frozen farm and the sunset. It was only about eight degrees outside!

I saw so much beauty through the lens of the camera. I caught an owl in a tree, and the cows and Jed the horse even seemed happy to have a visitor!

My Next Adventure

A week from today I will be setting sail on the Oprah Girlfriend’s Cruise and I cannot wait to Explore the ship, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. This will be my first cruise so everything will be a new adventure for me. Doing yoga on the beach is one of the events I am looking forward to most on this trip!

I will be using this trip to think about my life and my goals and dreams for 2019. I’m looking forward to all of the experiences that will come my way this year. I can explore what makes me happy and what I can do to teach my family more about places around the world we live in.

Do you create a word of the year? I’d love to hear what your word is. Please feel free to share it in the comments.