It's a New Year- It's time

In the new year, I have decided to take a risk and do something that is very scary to me. I have begun the process of starting a non-profit organization on Long Island to inspire kids be healthy and active. I will be giving up a lot for this decision but I have determined the payoff will be so great I should do it. The idea has been brewing for many years, and finally I have decided to listen to the little voice in my head telling me to go for it.

I trust the little voice in my head because I have heard it before.

Many years ago, when I was eight months pregnant with my second daughter, my first daughter who was sixteen-months old at the time started to cry from her crib. It was 3 A.M. I was exhausted. I was big. I was done. I knew that in one month, I would not be sleeping through the night with the new baby. “Why can’t she just go back to sleep?” Why can’t my husband get her tonight? Please, I just want to sleep.”

I got up huffing and puffing and went into her room. I picked her up and put her on my lap while sitting on the rocking chair. She could barely fit with my big belly.

In my head, I was very angry and impatient. I was thinking about how I felt so bad, how long my day was going to be tomorrow and how she was going to be up at 5 A.M. even if I could get her back to sleep again. As I rocked her and looked down at her, suddenly a little voice came into my head. “There will be a day that she won’t fit on your lap. Someday you will beg her to hug you and spend time with you. Grab her and hold on. Remember this because this time will pass.”

As I sat there and listened to the voice, my heartbeat slowed down. My little daughter fell asleep in my arms and she looked so beautiful. I was still exhausted the next day but there was a realization that I need to cherish this time and enjoy the moments. I had to listen to the little voice in my head.

That time did pass. I now have three children, ages 8, 11 and 13 years old. I still get hugs but no one sits on my lap anymore. The time has passed and I miss it so much.

The little voice is whispering very loudly now. It is telling me to move forward and accept the challenge. I am truly frightened by the enormity of the risk and the chance of failure. But it is time to trust myself and make this decision. It is time again to listen to the little voice in my head.

Kiersten Bartolotta is the Executive Director of Kids Run Long Island, a non-profit with a mission to inspire kids to be the best they can be through healthy living and fitness at Long Island schools. She is always in search for companies and people who want to make a difference through donations, sponsorships or volunteering time. For more information, go to www.kidsrunlongisland.org.