Totally rad — good or bad?

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

radical

Radical: favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions

batmitzvahfinal
A radical weight change

I have gone through a few radical changes in my life. There’s the battle with my weight.

There was becoming a runner. That was definitely totally rad. I was the girl who would do anything to get out of gym, and running was not something I was into. So I would have laughed at you if you’d told me in my 50s I’d be running — and long distances, too!

In fact, if you’d told me I’d be running half marathons when I started to run, I’m pretty sure I would have laughed at you then, too.

Some other radical changes involved moving. Moving from MD to VT to get married. 7 years later, moving from VT to TX — just because we had the opportunity. 17 years later, moving from TX to NY — it was that, or Mr. Judy would be looking for a new job.

I embraced some of those moves; others I was not happy about at all.

Then there was going from the crazy cat lady to the lady who wanted a dog (don’t worry, I’m still a crazy cat lady, too). And from the person who wasn’t going to get a second dog to the one that had the overwhelming feeling she was meant to adopt Lola.

Back to 2 dogs — definitely a radical change!

And, of course, my must recent radical change was adopting Bandit. It was fast (too fast) and it was almost as fast that we found out all his issues. To say it’s been a bumpy ride might be the understatement of the century.

You know what?

That first year with Chester wasn’t so great either, although Bandit definitely has far greater issues than either Chester or Lola. I still have hope that Bandit’s story will ultimately be positive.

In fact, I was amazed on Thursday: we ran into a neighbor he hasn’t met on our walk that morning. Just a couple of weeks ago, no doubt there would have been growling. He walked up to her tail wagging. I gave her a treat to give him and he sat down without me saying anything. And we continued to walk with her for about half a mile and he was happy as a clam.

I had met this new neighbor a while back, while walking Lola, and chatted with her then, so I knew that she liked dogs. And by Bandit’s reaction to her, I could tell that would be okay to have her give him a treat.

Is radical change good?
It doesn’t seem that way at the time — none of my radical changes were easy: not the weight loss, maintaining that weight loss, starting to run, trying to keep running injury free, or adopting dogs.

As I like to say to Mr. Judy, life isn’t meant to be easy.

In the end, though, it almost always turns out well.

One thing I know for sure
Change will happen, whether we want it to or not. Some changes in my life I was more than glad to make; others I feared; and others I really just didn’t want to do.

A life without radical changes is a boring life. We are meant to stretch, and learn, and grow.

People often say that a bad event is a ‘blessing in disguise.’ Trust me, experience will teach you that some are unbelievably well disguised. Everyone gets fired, or decides to make a radical change at some point. Everyone suffers setbacks.
–Tom Freston

Deb Runs

Tell me in the comments:

What radical changes have happened in your life?

Do you embrace or fear change?

16 thoughts on “Totally rad — good or bad?”

  1. I hate change. Some are good, some totally suck, but either way, I usually fight to the very end against change. The only change I didn’t fight was moving here from Arizona. I must’ve known deep down that it was the right thing to do. 😀

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    1. I have a feeling we have. I asked my husband recently how he would feel if the rescue called & said someone was interested in him (no answer).

      It’s still a lot of work & I think he’ll put a crimp in our lifestyle (not that it’s wild & cry) and definitely complicated this week. 😞

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  4. You are on-point with this…change is (ultimately) good. It’s been great following this journey with Bandit…you’ve showed true love, patience, and tough love as well. And, it looks like you’ve had a great impact on him 😉

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  6. Yes – many radical changes – 2 marriages, raising stepkids, starting career #4

    I think I embrace change. What other choice is there? You have to make the best of the situation or you will be miserable.

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  7. I don’t mind change, especially if is something I’ve decide to change. Life throwing you curveballs is a little tougher though. My hubs doesn’t like any change. He finds comfort in the status quo. I’m happy to hear a positive story about Bandit. He is learning!

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  8. I didn’t know you had Maryland roots – which part? I love hearing about Bandit’s progress – even small improvements are radical changes with him. LOL on some blessings being very well disguised!

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  10. I like to think I’m pretty good with managing change. That’s not to say I don’t get stuck sometimes. Good to hear Bandit is hanging in there. It’s tough but I think you’re just what he needs.

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  12. I agree that life would be boring without radical changes. I am feeling stir crazy at the moment….
    Good to read about Bandit. Sounds like progress.

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