time to understand what is most important

Tonight I went to the place that is helping me arrive one step closer to my goals.

I decided to run there instead of drive. I did this against the advice of one of the trainers. I ran 1.5 miles in 15 minutes 35 seconds although my runkeeper said I only ran .35 miles. I then did the workout warmup and then began the workout. I was on my second round of the workout and I wanted to give up. Something inside me said no you do not want to give up that is not what is important. What matters is finishing what you started and taking your time to get to the end. I have been striving to live by the philosphy that I have nothing to prove to anyone but myself and in doing that I strongly believe I can prove myself right each and every time.

On Monday I came home to find my invitation to test with the ambulance company that I have wanted to work for since I began the process of getting my EMT certification. That test is in one month. In that month I want to prepare for the physical test as well as the written exam. I am required to pass the written exam in the top 10 in order to continue on in the hiring process and be invited to the physical portion of the test. I am setting my expectations high and going to push myself to do my best.

time for special friends

Today I woke up at 6:30 and since I had the day off I decided I would begin sewing the baby blanket for my dear friend Autumn as I knew she is expecting her little girl Penelope to be born on Monday. Something told me that little Penelope wasn't going to wait until Monday, but that she would be arriving today. 2 hours later I logged onto facebook and learned that indeed at 6:26 am Autumn had her little precious Penelope Rose.

I took the time to contact the hospital and I was transferred to Autumn's room she sounded tired but just like my special friend I have come to love and adore. I asked if I could take my day and come meet her little girl. Autumn was so kind to tell me her and her husband would love my company and to drive on down.

I arrived at the hospital and was given my visitors badge. I walked into the room and Autumn's husband was holding the baby. Autumn asked him if I could hold the baby. I of course said I would like to wash my hands first. A day or two of clinicals in the hospital will teach you proper hand washing technique in a hospital. I sat down and Mike handed me Penelope. I think my heart skipped a beat and of course I was aware of this seeing as how today is woman's heart health awareness day. Penelope was perfect her skin is beautiful, her hair is beautiful she wasn't red and she was so quiet. She had this cute little expression on her face that Autumn kept saying looked like a little scowl, but I just loved it. She also had her hand to the side of her cheek. I was holding her for a short period of time and she found her little tiny thumb and started sucking it. I got the most precious picture taken of the moment. I was so grateful for the time to capture that little moment. I said to Autumn and Mike that I couldn't wait to see her eyes. She didn't open them while I was visiting, but I know they will be the most amazing blue eyes.

I had such a wonderful time. I know Autumn had been looking forward to this day for many years and I was so thankful for the time to spend today with a very special friend.

time to find myself

I went to a little craft store today and they had paperweights/silver stones with inspirational messages on them and I saw that they were 80% of the original price. I had to get some for myself. Tonight I can honestly say I had one of the most powerful experiences of my life. The afternoon evening started out with my friend and I setting the drink stops along the trail that our running group would later run.

My friend and I then began laying the trail and along the way we sidetracked from the original plan we had. This meaning we took the wrong trail. The wrong trail actually proved to be very incredible. The trail we took ran along a rapid flowing stream and the sound of the flowing water was absolutely amazing and the trail ended at the same place we had orignally set to end.  There was just one little flaw. At the top of the hill a really cute bag was left that I got for .29 it was also full of drinks. By taking the wrong trail that particular drink stop was completely missed.

I later this same evening went hiking back up the trail to retrieve the bag and the drinks. I took with me my ipod and I put it on low volume and did not put my headphones on which is usually what I do when running alone. I had my headlamp to be a safe hiker and I had my keys. On that hike with the full moon out and my small headlight shining the way for me and my soft music playing I found a peacefulness and a stillness I rarely take the chance to feel. Engraved on those little stones I bought today are two seperate statements. One saying rest a minute and the other saying take some time. The other two say shine and discover. I am trying to let my weaknesses go by the the wayside, let my strength shine through and discover all life is ready and willing to offer me.

I took some time to express the gratitude for the energy and strength I had to return up that hill as well as for the appreciation I gained for what an incredible place I live and just for the opportunity to continue to grow through humbling experiences and for all the opportunities that can be afforded to every single one of us through striving daily to be positive and seeking to rest a minute.

Time to see a different perspective

Today I was blessed to receive so much insight and realize it's time to see a perspective through someone else's eyes.

A friend of mine informed me about a fitness training facility he has gotten involved in. I saw this type of fitness training a number of years ago and was interested, but I pushed it to the way side thinking it was not something I could do.

My friend Emily and I went to the crossfit facility tonight. I had an amazing time. I even realized that my goal of being able to do one pull-up unassisted by the end of the year is completely accomplishable. I also drew the corrolation to how each of us have so many strengths inside of us just wanting and waiting to be found and challenged.

I love the words in the song by the band Kutless "What Faith Can Do." I think so often we get to thinking I can't when the reality is simply we can, but just don't know how or don't want to do what it is we think is impossible or difficult. Today I was shown how and I started to believe I can and that made a tremendous difference.

Time for new things

So it seems so many of us make new years resolutions. I heard in a study that was done only 46% of people who make new years resolutions actually follow through with them beyond the midpoint of the year.

I always like a challenge so I'm setting a goal to be in that 46th percentile that chooses not to quit. That chooses to push themselves often times greater than what they feel they can bare, but they do it anyway. There's my mantra sneaking up on me. Do a little a lot and do it anyway.

My resolution is to be a stronger, happier, kinder, healthier me in 6 months and then continue on after reaching my goal until years end.

My game plan: Have a support network
Accept accountability
Complete one competitive run monthly I almost have until June planned out
Utilize the gym at home
Utilize down time at work for stationary strength training
Drink water and plenty of it
Focus on staying positive and not self critical

I think my game plan looks like a really good guideline to my success.

I'm looking forward to all this new year has to offer.

God's timing

One week ago it was moving day. I drove down the dirt road to what was soon to be my previous residence. I drove into the driveway, attempted a turn to reverse my car so I could load it easily. No sooner did I do this when my front wheels decided to become stuck in the mud. After several attempts and a board under one of the tires my car was pulled out of the mud. I next walked into my room with a dysfunctional window dripping water onto the carpet and saturating the area under my headboard of my bed. My landlord then proceeded to inform me the electrical panel out in the pasture had caught on fire the previous night and there was not going to be power until a new electrical panel could be assembled. I then looked around and realized I had so much to be thankful for. So thankful that God's timing made it so that I needed to move into my new residence before the beginning of the year in order to secure myself the room in the home I was moving into.

My dear friend Emily who has incredible strength helped me load my car. She was insistent that we only make one trip and that all my belongings would fit in my car. She helped me shove my queen mattress in the car good thing that mattress is soft and flexible and might I add forgiving. Emily also helped me load my computer hutch into my car and put it on top of the mattress. When all was said and done there were very few vacant square inches in my car. She did this all in the rain.

I think Emily and I really like the rain. We ran in it for nearly 3 hours the previous Saturday and had such a great time. That's twice now I've had Emily run in the rain and mud with me. She was a trooper at the mud run. She made going up the cargo net and down the rope look like a walk in the park.

My new place is so peaceful and so nice and might I add warm. I was very cold many a night at my old place there wasn't heat in my room but it was a sacrifice I had to make there was a lesson in it for me.

Too bad I didn't take any photos of my adventurous move. My car tires stuck would have made a great photo and the mud splatters inside my car would make a great picture too. I think the mud has since dried there as a reminder of my journey. I think the stuffed interior of my vehicle would have made a great postcard. Well I've since charged my camera battery so I can take many a picture of my upcoming adventures in 2011.

Time for good decisions

October 30th I got off work at noon and headed on over to Laguna Lake to volunteer with set up and registration for the first annual Halloween mud mash. I arrived on location and got to help Yishai and his crew of 2 assemble the steps and ropes to the 12 foot solid wall. The guys were happy to have my help and they made it alot of fun for me.

Halloween morning I arrived to help with registration. At 9:00 am the race started. The course took us through the lake, a swamp, on over-unders, and on to the cargo net. I was standing in line at the cargo net and got a little teary eyed watching a father coach his son over the net. At the top of the cargo net I got nervous and I heard a familiar voice say come on Joanie. It was my friend Jason who I was in EMT academy with and I had always looked up to him. It was just the calming shove I needed right then. I came down the cargo net and approached the 12 foot wall. I chose the left side of the wall as the day prior I had tried the right. I struggled and struggled but was determined to get over the wall because I knew I could. I had nothing to prove to anyone except myself. I conquered that wall and looked back and thought wow it took four sets of hands to build that wall and it created mounds of fun for numerous hands. The course continued with a challenging run up and over a mountain with a finale mud pit finish at the end which I so gracefully tackled face first.

This was by far the most enjoyable run I have done to date and it benefitted special olympics so it meant alot to me with my younger brother being born with down's syndrome.

I'm still running and times it gets tough I think back to something my Dear friend Chris once wrote. Never let anyone tell you you're not good enough! I also think of Chris doing his daily walk trekking across America averaging 30 miles daily pulling his wagon traveling with his dog and I say if Chris can keep walking I can certainly keep running I don't even have a load to pull.

We all have various motivating factors in life that lead us to be engaged in making a decision. I once had to attend a monthly meeting where I was forced to stare at a banner that simply stated "it all starts with a decision."

I simply decided 2 years ago I would start running. Turns out that has been the most positive influential decision I've made.