Running and Life

OK! Yesterday was the day! I went to bed Friday night and said to myself, "Tomorrow morning is the day I am going to wake up, eat some cottage cheese, drink some coffee, a bit of water, and go out and accomplish 3 miles!"
Saturday morning I woke up and followed my planned schedule. I was determined to accomplish my goal. I had it in my head that it would be important to keep a slow pace so I would not tire too soon. I chose my music accordingly on my ipod. Nothing too fast- but upbeat enough to keep me moving!
As I jogged, I found that I needed to stay focussed. I had a rhythm going and I tried to keep it as steady as I could. At times, there were distractions, but I took my thoughts captive and blocked out those distractions as they came up- "The sun is so hot- I can feel the sweat dripping...NO! Here is the rhythm....concentrate on the run." "Move into the grass- there is a person walking dogs...NO! Keep the rhythm in the grass." "Where did the breeze go?? I am sooo hot! NO!- Keep the rhythm...finish the run. Meet the goal." "I am gonna finish this! - FASTER- FASTER! NO! Keep up the rhythm...no distractions....stay focussed."
I just knew that it was going to happen- the only thing that could possibly stand in my way was me~! And, I wasn't gonna let that happen!
The last half of a mile was so hard. Not because I was tired- but because I had to restrain myself! I was smiling from ear to ear! I mean, I had the biggest, silliest grin on my face because I knew I was about to accomplish my goal! I can only imagine what neighbors thought as they drove by and saw me running out there! lol
At last, it took me 40 minutes, but I ran - no stopping- no walking, for 40 minutes and made 3.08 miles! I was pumped! I felt like I could do anything! Is that a "Runner's High"  Perhaps I should have kept going?!
Lessons for me as I ran concerning life. KEEP FOCUSSED. Don't be distracted by things and people that try to take your eyes off of your priorities. There have been other areas of my life that I look at now and realize how I let something slip in and take my eyes off of what really mattered. If I pursue all of the relationships and goals in my life with such determination, there is really no telling how successful they will be. Not allowing distractions to interfere is HUGE! When I listen- really listen- keep my mind from wandering. When I am studying, really study and do not let anything take me away from it until I am done. When I have time with someone- devote that time to them- the cell phone can wait.
And on another end of the spectrum- don't push it, one thing at a time and then you can set new goals and strive for new accomplishments. Sometimes, a distraction can be as simple as trying to plan for the next thing before the current thing is even finished! (That's a problem us crazy planner-type people have!)
I love running as it gives me time to think and has been teaching me so much about life as I learn more about running.
I accomplished another small goal...next- picking up the pace! :)

Guarding Hearts

Hmmm...this is a tough one for me. I am a firm believer in LOVE. I feel like it is what makes the world go round...but in being loving, we put ourselves out there- we are vulnerable...and when we are vulnerable, we open ourselves up and can end up delving into a beautiful relationship with another human being, or we can end up very hurt.
The Bible is very clear on what love is and what it is not. Love is patient and kind, keeps no record of wrongs, rejoices in truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. It does not boast, isn't proud, isn't rude, or self-seeking. It is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil. Being as straight-forward as all that is, I will be the first to admit that I am not always good at LOVING- this action that I feel is so important in life.
I especially struggle with the "always trusts and always hopes" and sometimes the "keeps no record of wrongs." That struggle I have with those things stems from my heart being hurt in the past and not wanting to feel that pain again. But, what a viscious circle! I love, get hurt, am afraid to really love, and this could end up causing another person pain through my lack of love. My inability to be completely loving stems from being hurt myself. It affects the way I love. It reminds me of a saying my grandma would always say, "Hurt people, hurt people." It is not the intention always, but it is a reality.
So, throw in the "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Ahhhh....if only I would have learned this lesson early on in life. So, willing and eager to give my heart and be loving, I did not realize how important it was to protect that same heart. It is a lesson I hope to pass down to my daughters, for sure, and anyone else who will listen. (Including myself at times!) LOVING people is soooo important. But, equally important is to not just take your heart and hand it to someone! It is important to get to know a person - their motives, their hearts, before you can just decide you are going to be safe with being completely vulnerable and fully opening your heart to them.
I guess as with everything else in life, it would be wonderful if we did not have to worry about heart-ache and how it would affect us down the road in our lives. But we live in an imperfect world and hurt people really do hurt people - and so we have got to balance being loving and guarding our hearts.

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These Are Silver- The Others Gold

My oldest daughter has been struggling with our upcoming move out west. My heart-strings are pulled by her in this as I have moved quite a bit in my life-time and had to make new friends, attend new schools, leave comforts behind and venture into new territory. Although in some aspects that is quite an adventure, it also means leaving a place you feel comfortable, friends and possibly family you love, and other things that have become such a big part of your life behind- so to speak.
We had the chance recently to relax in a hot tub together and as we sat there she started explaining how difficult it was to leave several of her closest friends. She mentioned that they could and would never be replaced. (Already this is bringing tears to my eyes as I type, since I truly can relate to this so well!) I told her she was EXACTLY CORRECT! These people she loves cannot EVER be replaced! Then, I went on to list some of my closest friends from my school years. I told her that even the ones that I have not had much contact with- the memories, the relationship was always with me - and reconnecting with them has made life much sweeter.
I reflected with her on friends of mine she has met. One from close to my hometown that I met after high school. But, I told her, if I would have stayed there, we never would have met the wonderful friends we made in Columbus! If we would have stayed in Columbus, we would have never met the wonderful friends we made in Oklahoma. If we would have stayed in Oklahoma, we would have never met the wonderful friends we have in Canton. If we never left Canton, we would have never met the wonderful friends we have made in Illinois. I reassured her that we will make more wonderful friends in Colorado.
I also shared with her- that none of the people I mentioned to her were replacing anyone! In fact, I cannot imagine my life without a single one of them now. Each of them brings something unique and special to my life and I cherrish them for that! I have been blessed...my family has been blessed by these friendships through these moves. I know I can always go to any one of them for anything and they are there! I also believe they know the same is true of me for them!
It all reminds me of the song we sang in girlscouts- "Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other, gold."