Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Get Off the Pot

We hear it everyday. Almost so much so that it's become cliche. We disregard the the true meaning of the words:

Live each day as if it were your last

Live life to the fullest, because you never know what tomorrow may bring

Today I am stealing a link off of Steve Q's blog because the story of endurance athlete Cynthia Brochman is amazing, sad and inspiring all at once.

Just over a year ago on December 17, 2008, Cynthia (age 44) was diagnosed with cancer. She died two days ago. She was the fittest of the fittest, running a 3:01 marathon, a 1:21 half, a 37 minute 10K. Her story, however, stretches far beyond physical health. Her drive to excel, to be fast and to live on was and is courageous both in life and death.

I have never met Cynthia. In fact I had never heard of her until today. Yet, in reading her story I had this flash, this instantaneous realization, that there is no reason that couldn't be me (except for the 3:01 marathon part) or any of us. We assume we will watch our kids grow, see them get married, travel the world, hold our grand babies, run that marathon, retire to the islands, write that novel. Never assume anything.

You can read an interview with her from May 2009 for yourself:

http://runningminnesota.blogspot.com/2009/05/cynthia-brochman.html

What, if anything, are you doing to make your life exactly as you want it right now? Shit or get off the pot because the pot might not always be there. Or at the very least stop making excuses for your life not being what you want it to be and make the life you want happen. This means being selective about who you spend your time with, how you talk to the people you love, what the minutes of your day are spent doing, and where you put your mental, physical and spiritual energies. Be careful about your choices. Make each one count. I'm going to try to.

35 comments:

  1. Amen. Just this week FatherRunner and I decided I would let go of the office outside our home. What is at home is more important.

    I will never again get the time I have with my children back. I'm going to embrace it.
    Thanks for sharing the link - I look forward to reading more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is sad.
    Thanks for the kick in the pants!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow. How sad and inspiring at the same time. And, so true. Each moment matters. I'm training for my first marathon, looking forward to coming back for more inspiration.

    Winks & Smiles,
    Wifey

    ReplyDelete
  4. I loved her attitude even after a dire prognosis. She obviously had a winner's mentality through life (and up to death). Very, very inspiring. Thanks for posting.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I stumbled upon your blog today and just wanted to say thanks for your post. It spoke to me very strongly, especially the paragraph you ended with.

    Happy running, and good health...

    ReplyDelete
  6. A great book you may want to read: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, by Donald Miller. It will affect you on many levels pertaining to your blog. Thanks for reminidng us that our lives are here on earth are very limited.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great reminder. Thanks for this post!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great reminder of a truth!

    Here's to not assuming that I have tomorrow so I'm going to make today count!

    ReplyDelete
  9. how awful! it really makes you think twice about how you live your life when you here terrible stories about amazing people like this one! thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, punch in the stomach! Thanks for the wake up call.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a sad story, thanks for sharing it with us. My husband is a cancer survivor. He has been cancer free for, oh, it must be 7 or 8 years now (he had finished treatment and was returning to 'normal life' just when we started dating). We know as well as anybody that it can happen to anyone :(

    What I am doing (fitness-wise, anyhow) to make my life what as I want it right now is returning to running after an injury and actually following a training plan so I don't get injured again (I missed an awesome race in England because of this dumb injury). I've already registered for my winter (belly) dance schedule, and in January, I'm joining a drumming group (how great would it be for my belly dancing if I were a good hand-drummer, too!).

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh wow thanks for sharing! Very inspiration and makes you stop and think about how truly blessed we are to be out there running at all!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I just came across your blog today and it looks like I had great timing - terrific post! Definitely puts things into perspective.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I really lived by this motto this year. We lost my FIL to brain cancer in July and we all vowed to live life to the fullest. Life is too short is our new motto. It also gave us permission to not always feel so obligated to social agendas that weren't something we really wanted to do. I also kicked the year off by saying I would only surround myself with successful, like-minded people who made me a better person and vise versa. That may sound harsh but I had a pretty stress free year as far as my relationships go.
    If anything, this reminds us all that life is REALLY TOO short and not to sweat the small stuff however cliche that may sound. Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. What was so amazing about the aritcle is her total absence of fear. Just incredible!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. so very true....thanks for the reminder...we all need these sorts of friendly reminders from time to time...keep us on the straight and narrow!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I feel a little guilty - I started this chain and I have a different take on it. But then, I never was one to take things for granted or to expect all will be well in the future.

    You would've liked her. Everyone did.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, and I just wasted a minute here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awqc3EnSJqg

    ReplyDelete
  19. How terribly sad and what a vivid reminder that life is fleeting. Thank you for posting this.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the instantaneous realization description. I have had a few but they go away. I want them to stick. But that's our job, right? I love this post. Life is fragile and illness is undiscerning. However long I have, I want to be the most fit, kind, happy and adventurous soul I can. Because of Cynthia and you I am reminded to get of the pot.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow, this is a great post Beth. How true this is huh? Thanks for the remindar.

    I've never heard of this woman, but I'm off to check out the link.

    cheers!

    ReplyDelete

  22. I appreciate your idea here.online assignment help
    Definitely it has a good content. Thank you for imparting more of your own thoughts. Good job!
    assignment help australia

    ReplyDelete
  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Its really good information, I like your blog post. Thanks for sharing
    red ball | strike force kitty 2 | red ball 4 | strike force kitty 2 | red ball 4

    ReplyDelete
  25. I enjoy reading a post that can make men and women think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment! reliance gsm balance check , reliance gsm ussd codes

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your style is very unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I'll just bookmark this page. fun iphone games , Best Games on iPhone

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am typically to running a blog and i really admire your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and maintain checking for brand new information. run 3 unblocked 333

    ReplyDelete