You Can't Do Everything

Life is about choices. If you choose nothing, you aren't living. But if you choose, it can't be everything.

This past summer, I planned on a running route that would take me 18 miles up and across some of the Sky Rim Trail south of Big Sky. I packed up and headed off by myself for a nice long adventure. At the top of the rim, I met two hikers. We chatted briefly and they informed me I could do the *entire* Sky Rim Trail, which was 21 miles, I would just end at a trailhead 4 miles down the road from where I started (my plan was a lollipop loop) I thanked them and headed off, thinking.

I wanted to do the full rim, of course! I wanted to see all the epic views. The loop meant some of my run would be retracing my steps. What would I see if I went all the way? I decided to do it. I would sort out getting back to my car later.

The run was beautiful! I found an alpine lake and jumped in, then explored some woodlands alone (careful to announce myself to any bears who may nearby) As I come out of the trees, I realized I was now back down below the rim. I had been seeing some crazy rock formations, but not as many as I expected. Now I was below them, looking up?

Would I have seen more cool rock formations up close if I had done the loop??

I felt conflicted. Initially, I thought this way I would see more cool stuff, but now maybe I should have done the original plan. Should I come out next weekend and run the part I missed as an out and back?

Taking a breath, I remembered. You can’t do everything. If I went back the following weekend it would go against my goal of exploring as many new trails in the summer as I could. I don’t know what it is about getting older, but you do begin to realize that choices have to be made and sometimes, you just can’t do everything.

In the fall, there is a really fun local Montana race, Montana Cup. But this year, I had tech rehearsal for Little Women at the same time. I couldn’t compete in the race. Although—I loved doing the play!!! You can’t do everything.

I don’t mean this in a defeated, stop trying way. I mean it in a graceful, accept some choices and move forward, way. You can certainly try new things, explore, go after big goals. Time is simply finite and you eventually will have to pick some things over others.

Since finishing Little Women I am grateful that many people have asked, “When is your next show?” “Will you audition for this play I’m directing?” I’m honored! And also, I can’t do everything. Currently there are no shows in Bozeman that don’t conflict with a race already on my calendar.

I am lucky that I have two passions I care about deeply, but both require an intense amount of time. And at the moment, I really can’t do everything. Perhaps in the summer or fall I will have more time between events and 6-8 weeks free for rehearsal, tech week, and performances. Which would be so fun! But I’m sure then I’d have to say no to a long run with friends because…we can’t do everything.

If we got to do everything we wanted, with unlimited time, I think a lot of what we do would becoming meaningless. Things are special because we choose to spend on them. People are special because we choose to spend time with them. Without the choice, the sacrifice of time, the intentional choosing of where to place our time and energy, we have nothing. It’s ok to be torn about a choice, or even be sad, but I think that space is what makes us human and defines who we are. So pick something meaningful to you this week, and be ok letting other things slide.