The winner of the “Choose You'” giveaway is Carly from Tri-ing My Hardest. She was 85/262 picked at Random.org. Email me!
I had a great revelation yesterday. Sometimes it’s the little breakthroughs that keep us going, right?
I love Clif Bars. I find those hefty turd-like nuggets to be ultimately satisfying. My favorite flavor? White chocolate macadamia nut. Yesterday I left my turd-nugget in the car while at work for a few hours. It was the first 90 something degree day in a long time. The heat and sun warmed and softened the nugget such that when I got back in the car it was like a just out of the oven cookie and melted in my mouth. Seriously, if you haven’t warmed your Clif Bar lately (that’s not a euphemism, but it would be a great one), you need to get on it. Don’t worry about leaving it in a hot car – that’s what the microwave is for, right?
What I wouldn't recommend? Leaving a small pet or child in a hot car for a few hours while you’re at work. I don’t think it would have the same positive effect.
Here is something that’s been on my mind lately. I’ve always been a risk taker. I jumped off 50’ cliffs into the Aegean while living in Greece, rappelled down a ten story building in college, traipsed through underground caves, did body shots on a fireplace mantel at Kappa Sig. After having kids, this risk-taking took a back seat. After all, I am a mother and can’t be putting myself in precarious situations, right? As of late, that risky nature has returned and I find myself wanting to skydive and do various other things that are inherently more risky than say, fast walking with other moms around the lake.
Here’s the thing. We all know that living is risky. You might die when you drive your car today. You might be running on the beach and get hit by an airplane. The porta potty you are crapping in might get pushed down a hill by some hoodlums. We can’t deny, however, that some behaviors carry a higher risk level than others. These would include, but not be limited to:
- BASE jumping
- Bull riding
- Scuba diving (especially in caves)
- Mountain climbing
- Heli skiing
What’s interesting is when you look at the stats related to something like skydiving - your chances of dying in this activity are 1 in 100,000 if you jump once per year. Your chances of dying in a car accident are 1 in 6,000. So, although skydiving appears to be the riskier behavior, because we drive so much and have a comfort level with it that makes it seem safe, it’s actually more hazardous. Just sayin’.
But all that aside, here’s the question. As a parent who is responsible for his/her children and wants to be around to watch them grow into adults, do we have a responsibility to shy away from behaviors labeled “risky”? Would be be a bad parent if we engaged in dicey stuff, or do we keep living fully and in the moment regardless?
What’s the riskiest thing you’ve ever done?
PS: Misszippy is having a great Somnio jacket giveaway. Check it out HERE.
