River Crossings & Resilience

This weekend, I did my first trail run race in Kiwi-land, and it reminded me of one simple truth: there’s nothing quite like being out in nature, moving your body, and embracing the journey—whatever it may throw at you. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, and it was literally one of those picture-perfect days.

One of the highlights of the run was definitely the four river crossings. It was exciting and FUN splashing through cold water while being surrounded by beautiful scenery. Those crossings felt like little moments of joy sprinkled into the run, making the day that much more fabulous. We weren’t pushing for speed or distance; we took it easy, as my friend hasn’t done much running lately. It felt relaxed and energizing at the same time.

As beautiful and enjoyable as the run was, it also reminded me of something deeper: the importance of having a resilient mindset.

I’m not here to talk about toxic positivity—the idea that we should always be happy and upbeat no matter what. That’s not real life. What I want to celebrate is the ability to push through challenges, even when it’s tough, and still come out stronger on the other side. It’s about recognizing that while things might get hard, we have the strength to keep going, the choice to keep moving forward—and the ability to find joy along the way!

Resilience isn’t about ignoring the difficult parts or pretending everything’s perfect. It’s about acknowledging the tough spots and deciding to keep moving despite them.

For me, that’s the heart of running and, really, the heart of life: finding joy in the process, pushing through the challenges, celebrating the wins along the way, and sharing those moments with your loved ones.

You have more strength than you give yourself credit for. Keep remembering that.

Until next time, Sunshine!