This is somewhat different to my usual blogs but I figured this is my life’s journey so I’m not only going to blog about running. This ones for my daughter, my Nix.

“OK, dear daughter number one, my first born, my almost 12 year old. Bring it in. Time for a little pep talk, we’ve made a great team and rocked this first 11 years of your life, we’ve had our clashes, you and I are so alike, but we only have 6 short years left before I’m no longer your coach, before you take this game on all on your own. I’ll always be there for you, but before you know it, you’ll be flying out of the nest just like those other baby birds…. so like any good coach, I’ve got a game plan, and I know what worked in the first 11 years and no matter how great we did together, it probably won’t work in the next 6 years ahead.”

So in preparation for the changes and growing independence she’ll face on the road to adulthood, I want to offer my daughter just a little bit of advice.

“Nixie, take charge of her own life. Your decisions are important… It takes courage to decide you are not ready for something, and courage to decide to make yourself vulnerable and try something new. Always be courageous. Speak up when needed. Never sit idly by while someone else is being treated poorly. And Nix, take charge of your own happiness. No one can make you happy. It is a choice you have to make and it is hard… Find out what makes you the happiest, and then do that. A lot.”

“Never diss your sisters or your girlfriends. You need them more than you know and when it comes to others ALWAYS believe the best in people. Girls can be so mean. Well, really, people can be mean. There will be a million times when someone says something or does something or you are told about something that rips your heart to shreds. Give that person the benefit of the doubt, and then offer them grace — because when this stuff happens, it is not about you, sweet girl. It says infinitely more about them.”

“My sweet child, don’t pretend to be something you’re not… It feels good to fit in and it feels good to be liked, but you will find that being accepted only when you are pretending to be something you’re not is an exhausting, unfulfilling experience.”.

“Life is not measured in the amount of likes you get on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media out there… Always remember that life is about the impact you have on others, so work on building your brain and growing your heart, and the rest will fall into place. I’ve learnt this the hard way.”

“Nicolette, you are enough, exactly as you are. Many times each day, you will be told you are inadequate and Photoshop will change what you think is normal… You are a gift to this world, and if you ever forget, just ask me. I know I’m just your mom, and I have a long list of reasons why you are awesome.”

“For the next 6 years as it becomes less often that you reach back to grab my hand or jump into my bed to chat, or think I’m the coolest mom in the whole wide world, I’ll always be there for you. The next 6 years will have a lot of highs and lows, but rest assured that no one wants to peak in high school, and you have the best that life has to offer and the world at your feet.”

“I LOVE YOU MY NICKY NIX”

“This is your journey, your path to follow, your life to live”

“Carpe Diem”