Tag Archives: Gratitude

200 Blog Posts and 13.1 Miles Later

Posted on December 11, 2011 | 9 Comments

You’re all still with me. Really? I had this idea as I noted that I was getting close to a 200th blog post. Only two or so years into my little home on the web, I realize that I’ve found what I love about doing this; they’re my thoughts, stories, and life, unfiltered. Pen to paper so to speak, and you follow along. Whether it’s out of obligation or because you really enjoy what I have to say, you’re still here. I’m humbled by that. So, thank you and thank you again. Now onto #200!

“Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, Not because they never found it, But because they didn’t stop to enjoy it.” William Feather

I have so much to be thankful for this year. Sure, I’ve had my share of setbacks, but I think they’re common in the regular ebb and flow of life.

Exactly one year ago, I was feeling miserable. A year ago, I looked like this:

I’ve written about this before, my six-day stint in the hospital wasn’t really a pleasant one, it reminded me that maybe I am not as invincible as I thought. Shortly thereafter, I made a promise to myself: A half marathon by year’s end.

So today – as this post hits the ether – I embark on that goal. Today I will be running the “Holiday Half Marathon,” 13.1 miles. Some may think I’m crazy to do so, I was one of them.

Then I started running. My first run, the “Race for the Roses” 5k (3.1 miles,) was the longest run I had done out on the road when I started. It wasn’t too bad, but I wasn’t hooked. I was still somewhat lost. I hadn’t really understood the best way to train.

Then, in August, I really got serious about running. I started to run outside, since it was nice. I started planning routes around my home, enjoying the run. There are hills and I’m crazy, so I recorded video:

And then I noticed that I could run and I was consistent. But I needed goals, so I signed up for the Oktoberfest 10k Road Race (6.2mi):

And then the “Run Like Hell 10k (6.2 Mi)”

And the “Hot Buttered Run 12k (7.5mi)”

Since July 1st, I have run 158.6 miles. With my longest run to date being 11.2(ish) miles. That’s a lot of miles on these tires. And yes, I can’t wait to run some more.

I certainly have not done this alone. I really have to thank a couple of people who have encouraged me (Tim,) answered my questions (Cory and Clark,) and kicked my butt from time to time, when I needed it, of course (Mark.)

Mark & Tim, thanks for joining me on this and many other running adventures. Cory, thanks for “running me in,” as they say.

If you’d like to see my evolution as a runner as I’ve blogged it, check out my previous posts on the topic

So today: December 11th, 8 AM – I embark on completing my goal.

To finish a half marathon.

I have a goal in mind that I would love to complete. We’ll see if I can do it.

~~If you would like to watch me run it, and see my progress, you may catch a “glympse” here.~~ Or, I may actually be live tweeting how much it sucks. Either way, I’ll cross the finish line, even if I’m crawling.

See you all on the other side.

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Posted in Portland, Thoughts, Travel, Workout

Tagged 13.1 miles, 200th Post, Blogging, Epic Post, Glympse, Gratitude, Half Marathon, Health, Holiday Half, Hot Buttered Rum Run, love, Oktoberfest Road Race, Race For the Roses, recovery, Run Like Hell 10k, Running, thankful, thanks

You’re Welcome?!?

Posted on August 22, 2011 | 20 Comments

This weekend I got to volunteer for an inaugural all-girl 5k and half marathon called the Run Girl Run. It was a fun event, but there was something pretty interesting that happened to me. I mean, I was a volunteer, I just had to get up, get in the car, and get to the event. As a course marshal, I just had to stand there, at the 4.5 mile marker and make sure that someone stopped at the stop sign and that the runners made their way down the right side of the course.

As I left the main area to head over to my designated spot at 7:30 AM, there were only a few runners moseying around. I got to my location and waited:

Alone, I waited. I watched the occasional car drive by, I listened to the roosters crow, I even smelled the faint scent of someone in the house next to my post frying bacon.

And, I waited.

Hark! Ahoy! The first runners came heading up the road – So I moved to my designated spot, with my orange safety vest, and ushered the runners in the right direction.

“Good job!” I said, as the first couple of runners came by.

And they said: “Thank you for being here.”

*Blink*

Then the next group, “Thank you!” And the next, “Thank you for doing this!” and again, and again…

Wait, What? I said to the next ones, “You’re doing the hard part! Way to go!”

“Thanks for keeping us safe,” came the reply.

There were nearly 300 runners on the course, and no matter how out of breath they were, how they may have been struggling, they managed to say “thank you.”

And maybe I’m a moosh, but it still moves me.

Maybe there’s something we can all learn from this group of runners with “moxie,” saying thank you to a person, no matter the circumstances should be the norm, not an exception. How great we all can feel with just a hint of gratitude, just a sliver of acknowledgement.

As all the runners and walkers came by, they said thank you, and I was only one person on the course, I am truly certain they thanked everyone along the course.

Aw shucks ma’am, I’m just doing my job.

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Posted in Customer Service, Thoughts

Tagged Gratitude, greater purpose, motivation, Run Girl Run, Running, Thank you

…Like the wind

Posted on April 7, 2011 | 2 Comments

So, if you’ve followed me on Twitter, Facebook, anywhere, you’ve heard me, no doubt, lamenting my decision to run a 5k.

Well, I did it last weekend. I just wanted to share some pictures from it.

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement.

What I was struck by, was a couple of things, First, there were SOOO many people, I think they capped participation at 5,000 runners. That’s a lot of people.

I almost ran it all, there was a mean, mean hill at the end. I tried hard, but I had to walk for a couple of seconds. My finishing time: 32:24 (10:26 minute miles, on average.) The photographer got me running, this is a pretty cool shot.

: The Race for the Roses, included a “finisher’s rose”

: My first medal. something to remember it by.

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Posted in Thoughts

Tagged Accomplishment, encouragement, Facebook, Gratitude, Running, Social Media, thanks, Twitter

Do You Believe then Belong or the reverse?

Posted on March 23, 2011 | 1 Comment

I heard an interesting generational statement not to long ago. It referenced the Older Generation’s ability to belong to something then believe in something, the person went on to say that my generation has to be convinced they believe something before they’re willing to belong.

This stuck in my craw.

I’ve been pondering that for almost a whole week. I keep coming back to it. I’ve been involved in so many things recently. Things I believe in, things I belong to, but rarely do I think of the two of them in conjunction. In my experience, if I belong to something, I must believe in it, Right?

Used Under Creative Commons: Thank you to Aftab

I think a more important thing to examine right now is the feeling of not believing, or those feelings when you don’t belong. I think we all have those moments in our lives. We believe what we believe and we’re hard-pressed to be convinced otherwise.

Right now, I’m not sure what I believe, or sometimes where I belong. I think that’s partially due to so many changes happening at once. I, like many of you, am fearful of change; leaving our solid ground, our substantial footing, stepping off the cliff, even to dive into the clearest blue skies.

Right now there are two things that I keep telling myself: I believe I am loved. I belong right here, in this moment.

Both of those things have been affirmed moreover in the last few days, more so than I’ve even been able to express. I try to remember to say thank you, but I may have forgotten so please accept this as my mea culpa if I haven’t reached out to you.

Believe & Belong or Belong & Believe, but do them both with equal dedication.

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Posted in Thoughts

Tagged faith, Gratitude, greater purpose, Hope, humanity, inspiration, perception

Are You Talkin’ to Me?

Posted on March 20, 2011 | 11 Comments

I’ve had an interesting day. Sure I did some of the normal things: shopping, moving boxes, preparing for the next week, the usual things. Those aren’t the interesting parts of my day, I won’t bore you with those details, (I know, usual, right?)

Today I was invited to go to church with some friends. Normally, I would roll my eyes, say thank you, and politely decline. Something told me I should go. I had so much other stuff to do, I could have easily spent my time in other haunts, but today, it just felt like a good idea. Besides, it gave me a chance to hang out with these friends.

I got distracted and when I looked at the clock, I realized that I only had a few minutes to get ready and out the door, so out I went, got in the car, and made my way to the church, parked in the back forty acres and made my way into the church. The Church was HUGE. It had super auditorium seating. Enough about that, normally my attendance, while rare, wouldn’t incite a blog post, but the message. This was pretty strange for me. The message was about isolation vs. community. Hmm.

Some of you may know, I’m going through some rough patches lately, my natural defense is to look inside, sort it out, find the logical answers, deal with the good and the bad and make light of it. Seems easy enough, right? Sure. Normally that works for me. Lately it’s worked, sort of, sure I’m a little downtrodden, but I’m getting over it. Sure, I may be spending some extra time in my head. Maybe guarding myself a little more than usual. I know some of you have noticed it. I know you care, I appreciate it, I do. Do I know how to ask for help, I do; do I know when to ask for help, I do; I think. Sure, I may be burdened, but I don’t want to burden others with it. I know, some of you would easily handle it. I know some of you would really be helpful, I get that.

Anyways, Listening to the message today at church, I spent a considerable amount of time wondering why the pastor was talking to me and my situation? Why do I choose to barricade myself off when I’m feeling a little stressed/overwhelmed. I don’t have a good answer to that question. I just know that I’m feeling a little out of sorts. Why I chose this day to go to church or why the church chose this day to give this particular sermon, I could say I don’t know, I could also say that there was some greater plan involved. Neither one of those do I know for certain are the case. I’ll just say this, I’m holding my head above water, I’m holding on with both hands right now, and it seems that someone/something/somehow, was speaking to me today, I listened, I’m still listening, and I’m still here. And I’m still doing alright, really.

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Posted in Thoughts

Tagged Church, faith, Gratitude, greater purpose, Hope, inspiration, motivation, path seeking, perception, thanks

I don’t know…

Posted on January 9, 2011 | 4 Comments

I work in an industry where most people work on their own, yet inside a team, a group, or an office. The statement I never hear is “I don’t know.”

(Used under Creative Commons: Thanks Karola Riegler!)

At least, I don’t hear it enough. As someone who teaches people how to utilize a system that will make their life easier and as someone who knows that education and learning is something you should never stop doing I often find myself wondering, why are people afraid to ask for help when they don’t know something?

We all do it. We all try to manage or find some way to cheat the system or cope in our own ways without asking those who have the knowledge or experience to assist us.

(Used under Creative Commons: Thanks Ramberg Media!)

The people I see every day try to hone into an image, be it someone who is super technical, over personable or even just a hard-worker. I know these people are everything they claim to be, everything they want themselves to be and all it takes for them to be just a little bit better is to have the ability to ask for help, when you need help.

Do you ask for help? Do you recognize when you need assistance? Do you feel, should you need it, that you can reach out to those who can help?

Any of the above statements are hard to answer on your own. Only you can answer them.

(Used under Creative Commons: Thanks Pink Sherbet Photography!)

Learning is something that you should never stop doing. Self-actualization is something you should always be aware of.
There are many resources out there, locate them, and use them.

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Posted in Thoughts

Tagged Assistance, commentary, education, Gratitude, honesty, I don't know, Opinion, path seeking, thanks

Overwhelmed and Tethered.

Posted on December 7, 2010 | 3 Comments

Wow. What the span of two weeks does to your perception of everything.

Sometimes you’re overwhelmed when a thing comes, and you do not realize the magnitude of the affair at that moment. When you get away from it, you wonder, did it really happen to you? – Marian Anderson

Over the last couple of months, I’ve been frustrated. I started having to work a little harder when I ran. I was slowing down a little bit. I just couldn’t seem to catch my breath (literally or figuratively). So I finally went into the Doctor and said “What’s UP?”

They did a test or two, an Xray and viola: Walking Pneumonia. Easy to treat. (That was the day before Thanksgiving.)

They prescribed me antibiotics and bed rest for a couple days. The hard part of walking pneumonia is that you usually have it for weeks or even months as it takes over your lungs and inflames your bronchial tubes. You feel sort of icky, but you chalk it up to a cold.

After 6 days of medicine, I didn’t seem to be getting better. I was still weak, tired, sleepy and achy. But still no fever. So back to the doctor I went. As I got to the doctor’s I realized. I wasn’t able to breathe….

They consider this to be quite an issue, so immediately, on to oxygen I went. And on Oxygen I remain, 8 days later.

My lungs were not responding to the antibiotics and the inhalers. As it seems, this was serious to them. Serious enough that I was transported, via ambulance, to the hospital. First Ambulance Ride. Lucky me. Sadly, it was sans lights, bells, and whistles.

And there you have it. In the ER. This is one of the times, I’m glad I took my mom’s advice and remembered to shower and get dressed before the doctor (Always wear clean underwear) as I was in short order. Removed of my over clothes and suddenly sitting there in my skivvies. With Doctors and Nurses and EMT’s in the room. Good thing I’d already lost some weight.

After more tests, hours of observation, and more head scratching, they decided to do a procedure called a bronchial scope. I’ll let you read about it. It was very unpleasant. Just think, in through the nose, down into the chest, then scrape.

Then, they checked me into the hospital, I’d been admitted and that’s where I remained for 6 full days. I’m not out of the woods, but I am out of the weeds. I’ll take some time to heal and get back to myself. But I don’t know how to slow my roll, and I have to. What an adjustment.

I received such an outpouring of love and light while I was in the hospital. It was a little overwhelming, but I don’t want anyone to think it was unappreciated. The amount of well wishes and encouragement helped me truly keep my sense of humor. Which is the only thing I had control over.

Thank you to the Bledsoes: Tim & Cheryl for this care package

And to my wonderful friends Kari, Terrance & Sophia for this beautiful arrangement.

And to Nancy for this lovely one.

Also, so many visitors. To Cory & Mary Rarick, who definitely win the hospital stamina award for coming to visit me just as much as my mom, for the real coffee, patty melt, french fries and the potato chips. Just what you need to get back on the mend quickly. The visits were absolutely fantastic and allowed me to escape from my plastic bubble for a little while.

In the end. There’s a long road to grow from this. I’ve lost 20 pounds, I’ve lost a month in the gym. I don’t have a lot of control here. I just have to work with my body and be thankful for western medicine, and time.

While I’ve been moved to tears so many times this week with all the love and attention, I do not suggest that you use an opportunity like this to understand how loved you really are. This happened to me, during Thanksgiving, where I was already counting my blessings and myself amongst friends. I have many people who love me and I really hope that I can return the favor and show everyone how much I care.

I’m still overwhelmed and honored to have all of you as my friends. My lungs may be a little rickety at present, but my heart is full.

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Posted in Thoughts

Tagged faith, Friendship, Gratitude, greater purpose, Hope, inspiration, love, path seeking, rough patches

Friendship

Posted on November 26, 2010 | 10 Comments

“True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island … to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.” – Baltasar Gracian

Yesterday, I got an interesting call from a good friend of mine. Well, was a good friend of mine. It seems that they can no longer be my friend because they feel their affection towards me only causes them pain. I get that. I can even accept that.

Creative Commons Use: Thank you to Hamed Saber on Flickr

What I don’t get, is that I don’t believe I’ve ever misled anyone, including this person, about my feelings. I’ve been honest, open and caring – as friends should be.

In the end, I’m down a friend in my life, which sucks.

What it did force me to do, though, was to take stock in my life.
I value friendship above all else in my life and I value all those who have reached out to me.

This Thanksgiving, I hope I’m still able to call all of you my friend, that all of you feel like you can reach out to me and that I can rely on you.

Used Under Creative Commons: Thank you to Shanissinha on Flickr

Friendship is far more tragic than love. It lasts longer. – Oscar Wilde

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Posted in Thoughts

Tagged Friendship, Gratitude, helping hand, love, overwhelmed, Thank you

These Excuses?

Posted on January 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

I wrote this near New Years, just haven’t gotten around to posting it.

So very often we take a small amount of effort and turn it into something so large in our head that it seems almost insurmountable.

Sometimes we never know the small impact of a kind word, a hint of encouragement, maybe even just the words “thank you”

There are so many opportunities in our lives to take the good inside yourself and share it with the world.

Do you exist for your life, or do you live your existence?

What do you do when your overwhelmed, do you give up, do you ask for help? Do you bottle it up and unleash it on the nearest unsuspecting victim? Usually someone you love or care about?

Do you take your time to evaluate the impact of your emotions?

Is it easier for you to praise someone your only acquainted with than someone you’ve known for years?

Is today only a bridge to tomorrow or is there no day but today?

We should never take a heartbeat for granted as someday you may not hear its cadence.

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Posted in Writing

Tagged Excuses, Friendship, Gratitude, humility, love, overwhelmed

Tag Archives: Gratitude

Top 11 Posts of 2011

200 Blog Posts and 13.1 Miles Later

You’re Welcome?!?

Do You Believe then Belong or the reverse?

Are You Talkin’ to Me?

I don’t know…

Overwhelmed and Tethered.

Friendship

These Excuses?

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