For me the answer is yes. It wasn't obvious at first, but as I began to seriously consider doing the Gasparilla Distance Classic race I realized that there was a connection between deciding which race I wanted to participate in and how I wanted to be as a caregiver coach. By entering this race I gave myself a good opportunity to practice one of my life lessons of 'how less can be more.' Here's how it unfolded. 

A few Saturdays ago I did the Gasparilla 5K Walk Classic for the first time since moving to Tampa 12 years ago. I was motivated to do something new-to-me and be a part of a Tampa tradition. As I was about to register for one of the races I became conflicted to which level of participation I was willing to take on at this point in my life. Did I want to push myself to RUN 5K or WALK it? Which race would make me happy? I had difficulty deciding until my friend Ed invited me to join him for the WALK. Now I had a buddy and the race took on a new light. I was ready to feel less stressed and feel more relaxed. 

Deepak Chopra, an Indian-American author, holistic health/New Age guru and alternative medicine practitioner who professes the importance of being in the moment, mindfulness and abundance has contributed to my realizing the importance of how less can be more. This philosophy can apply to all areas of my life and especially when caregiving. So often as caregivers we do more and refuse to do less. We don't stop thinking about our loved one and what else needs to get done to care for them. It becomes a vicious cycle that leaves us exhausted and depleted. "What if we were to step off the caregiver merry-go-round for awhile and do a little less and feel better?" Just imagine we ask for help or hire someone to come in to care for our loved one and take a break. We actually may be able to give more to our loved one and feel less resentful and overburdened. It's something to seriously consider. How do we want to be as a caregiver? Light? Balanced? Joyful?

For those of us who had never been to the Gasparilla Classic since it's inception in 1978 the organization has found a way to do an amazing job getting it well-organized and well-attended.

The event announcer spoke from a stage set up at the Starting Line while we waited for our specific race to begin. As each group was called to get ready to start their WAVE the rest of us were having fun waiting for our particular race. We stayed busy on the sidelines taking photos, texting our friends with details of the event and watching other racers.

At one point I realized how excited I was to be at the race and was able to stop worrying about my caregiver clients. The energy around me was exhilarating. Right before our race began we listened in silence as the Star Spangle Banner was sung. 

As I looked around I noticed all different types of caregivers taking care of their grandchildren and disabled partners. They had signed up for the Stroller Walk race which was set up to be easy and fun. 

When it was our turn to walk the race I looked over at on the other side of Bayshore Blvd. to see the people who signed up to do the 5K Run and saw them walking. I said to myself, "I could have done that." Then I quickly reminded myself that signing up to do the run would have been too exhausting for me. I was better off not putting myself under that pressure to perform. My goal was to enjoy the walk. This gave me another opportunity to remain connected to the 'this is what I could do instead of what I should do' mantra.

For caregivers it's ok to walk the journey sometimes instead of running it full-speed. The more we adhere to what is truly best for ourselves the more we can give willingly without any hesitation.

Hope you will join me next year. Here's some information and photos from this year's event:

http://www.tampabayrun.com

Warmly,

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