Life as a Marathon

Photo of the month:

March 2001, Calle Ocho 5k, Miami

Quote of the month:

A journey of a thousand miles 

begins with a single step.

- Lao-tzu

For those of you who have been with me for a while, this is a re-run from quite a while ago.  A friend recently referred to this post in an e-mail, so I went back to re-read it and was amazed at how much it applied, even more today, than it did when I wrote it.  I thought it might be a good reminder for some of you out there too! Enjoy!

Usually I like to take beautiful or inspiring photos to use as the photo of the month. This one may not be beautiful, but hopefully by the end of this post, it will be inspiring. I am using this photo this month because it is me, crossing the finish of my first run. It wasn't pretty.... but I completed the race. Thank you to my friend, Israel, for taking this photo of me back in 2001! I am just to the left of the orange cone wearing a white t-shirt. After this came other runs and longer runs.... but this was the first!

Although I had done some running when I was younger, it was never more than a few miles at a time. During a difficult and challenging time in my life, I took up long distance running, starting with a few 5k's, then a 7 mile and then a half marathon. The running became a metaphor for my life in that.... I could not always see the finish line, but I could always take one more step. All I needed to focus my attention on, was the step I was taking right here, right now, and trust that the finish line was still out there.  It couldn't be seen and I certainly did not know what it would look like.... but I knew that it was there.... at about mile 11 of the half marathon, that became really important!! 

I'll share with you what I learned.... see if any of it might apply to challenges you might face in your own life!

Life is like a marathon!

1 - There may come a time that we decide to do, or have to do something we never thought we would do.... or could do.

I never thought I could run 13.1 miles without stopping! That's for sure! I also never thought I would move across the country one time.... let alone 3 times in 5 1/2 years! Now, I've done both!  2014 update - it is now 4 long distance moves in 8 years!

The lesson here - Don't decide you cannot do something until you at least try!   

2 - You may not be able to see the finish line but you can always take one more step.

As the quote above says, the journey starts with a single step. In a run, it begins with the crack of the gun going off to signal the start of the race. An average person takes 2000 steps/mile - so that would be at least 6200 steps for a 5k!

With a long distance move, there are a lot of steps - showing the house, selling the house, inspections, repairs, signing papers, packing boxes, saying goodbye to dear friends, driving across country with kids and crying cats, buying a house, signing more papers, more inspections, unpacking boxes, changing the car registration, first day at a new school/job, setting up new doctors..... and on and on.... whew... I am getting tired all over again just thinking about it. Looking at all of these steps together may seem overwhelming. Piled on top of each other, it seems like a mountain. It may seem insurmountable. Much as the finish line seems VERY far away in a marathon (or even a half marathon.) Breaking things down into bite size pieces and dealing with them one by one makes it more manageable.

Once you get started, there may come times when you feel like you may not be able to make it to the end. This happened both in life and in running - but I could always take one more step. At step 5124, all you need to do is take step 5125! Don't think about the distance remaining!

The lesson here - As the quote above says, even something that seems insurmountable cannot be completed without starting! No matter how long and complicated an endeavor may be, simply start with the first step and keep taking whatever step you are on.... which leads to #3. 

3 - Be Present in the step you are taking - only this step.

I have written before about being Present or Mindful. In Taking Stock/Mindfulness, from July 2009, I wrote, being mindful simply means that we are paying attention. I used the example of a tight rope walker and how when walking on a high wire, one's attention can be no where else. The walker's full attention is on the step they are taking at that moment, the placement of the foot and where the weight is placed in the foot. In running, I focused on my foot hitting the pavement and stretching my leg for the next step. In moving - I knew I was getting too far ahead of myself when I started to get anxious about what teachers the kids might have or would there be a Target nearby or where would I get my laundry washed? (You know who you are!)  I knew it was time to bring my attention back to where I currently was.

The lesson here - I suggest Presence as often as possible in all aspects of life, challenge or not! 

4 - Even though you can't see the finish line - that is ok - Trust that it is out there.

At the beginning of a 13 mile run, the finish line is no where in sight, nor at the beginning of 1063 mile drive or the packing of the first box. It is natural to want to see it... but accept that you cannot.  Trust! Trust! Trust!  Even if things do not go as planned, Trust that you will find a way to fix it or work it out.  There are few things in life that cannot be fixed.  

The lesson here - It is ok not to know how everything will turn out! Things usually do work out. I often ask.... "What is the alternative? That they won't work out?"  Usually not!  Since the initial writing of this post, there have been things that did not "work out" at least according to my "life plan."   Even when things don't work out in a way that we would have liked, envisioned or anticipated... there are still many positives and knowledge to be gained from these experiences. 

Until next month....

Keep it simple!
Penelope

50th Birthday/First World Problems

Running in the Water, Orlando, FL, 2001

My younger son has started using the phrase, "Sounds like a first world problem!" I love it! So when I am complaining about my coffee being too cold (or too hot) or the battery on my cell phone going dead, I hear, "Sounds like a first world problem, Mom!" Of course turnabout is fair play, so when he complains about his new video game being too hard or that the Internet went out, I get to say, "Sounds like a first world problem, Son!" : )

In January of this year, there was a chemical spill in West Virginia that contaminated the water source for Elk River, WV for days. Anyone who has been under a boil water order, knows how difficult it is to get along without clean water. We go to the tap and expect it to work, to work correctly and to be clean and sanitary! When something as simple as brushing your teeth becomes a chore, we are less likely to do it regularly and forget about washing dishes... and we might as well just go out to eat!

In short, 
we take clean water 
for granted!!!!!

Same thing when the power goes out. Have you ever walked into a dark bathroom in a power outage, knowing the power was out, but still habitually flipping the light switch only to remain in the dark... "Oh that's right, the power is out!" Reminding myself that this, too, is a first world problem, helps to keep things in perspective.

There are people around the world that do not have this same easy access to clean water or electricity. I recently learned that millions of kids around the world don't live to see their fifth birthday because they don't have access to clean, safe drinking water. We can help change that.

I am turning 50 later this year. I'm not usually overly excited about getting older, but this year I'm really thankful to have spent another "365 days circling the sun," as a good friend says! To mark the 50th anniversary of this occasion I am sponsoring a campaign run by Charity Water (http://mycharitywater.org/my-50th-birthday) to help provide clean water to a community. I wish I could take credit for this idea, but Julian Lennon did it last year for his 50th birthday, so I have to give him credit for the idea.

I'm asking that instead of sending me a birthday card or gift, that you contribute that money to this fund. Even if you were to just buy a birthday card and mail it, I would request that this year, you donate the $3-5 to fund this project instead. You have the option to put your name or not. If you do put your name, I will consider that my birthday card/gift! : ) A celebration of my 50th!  As an extra added bonus... This is also the 100th post on Simply Spirituality!!!! : )

I looked into the charity and there are a number of things I really like about it.

1 --> 100% of the money raised will go directly to the PROJECT that WE fund. This is almost unheard of in the charity world! To find out more click here...

http://www.charitywater.org/100percent/

2 -->The charity will follow the project through and provide updates with how the money is spent and how many people it helps. That means we'll know the locations and names of the communities we helped.  If you are interested, you can see more about completed projects here.... http://www.charitywater.org/projects/completed-projects/

3 --> They also provide their charity status and financials here.... http://www.charitywater.org/about/financials.php

Our campaign runs until 

June 18. 

Our goal is to raise 

$1000. 

If you would like to contribute, here is the link.....

http://mycharitywater.org/my-50th-birthday

Help me reach my goal. Please donate to my birthday campaign!
Thank you!Penelope

Resolutions vs. Gratitude Jar aka 99th post!!!!

      Photo of the Month:  
      Gratitude Jar 2014

Quote of the Month:

Yesterday ended last night.  

Every day is 

a new beginning.  

Learn the skill of forgetting 

and move on.

- Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

It is February 2nd as I am writing this. How many of you made New Year's resolutions?  Are they still in place?  I stopped making New Year's resolutions several years ago... and simply implement things along the way, as needed, no matter the day.  If you have abandoned yours, follow the advice in the quote above and move on!

I'd like to give all of us something to feel good about next New Year's Day!   Like anything in life, it is a choice of what to focus on or put our attention on that makes all the difference. Instead of feeling badly about our weight, our finances, our job, our work out schedule, eating habits or any other potential resolution topics - at the end of the year, let's focus on all of the good things that happened during 2014.

I wish I could take credit for this idea, but it is not mine.  See the photo above .... starting on the first of the year, or whenever you read this, write good things that happen to you on little pieces of paper.  Above, they suggest surprise gifts, accomplished goals, good memories or the appreciating the beauty of nature.  Then, at the end of the year, maybe on New Year's Eve, read and re-visit all of the wonderful things that happened in 2014. (Yes, the photo is from last year!)  

It doesn't have to be a jar and doesn't have to be fancy.  It could be box or file folder. For me, I need to see it to remember to do it, but if that isn't you, a file on your computer would work too!  I am putting mine in a prominent place where I will see it every day, near my grocery list!

Here are some of my examples....
Jan. 1 - I woke up on New Year's Day at one of my best friend's home with this beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean! 

Jan. 3 - A good friend took the boys and I out to dinner.  I tried sea bass for the first time and now have a new favorite! 

Jan. 31 - Treated to lunch by my aunt! 

Feb. 2 - My neighbor brought me a unexpected, tasty homemade meal! 

Please post a few of your own examples in the comments

And if you want to make resolutions... that is fine too!  Just remember you get to choose what to focus attention on.  And if you don't end up keeping them, follow Dr. Norman Vincent Peale's advice above and learn the skill of forgetting! : )

Keep it Simple!
Penelope
PS - Yes!  It really is my 99th post! : )