Tuesday, May 8, 2012

The Worst Ride at Disney World

If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice. – Meister Eckhart

The past few weeks, well really the past few months, have been a bit of a roller coaster around here. In truth, that’s not even a fair analogy because a roller coaster tends to have equal highs and lows. My roller coaster would contain a majority of lows and that would make for a stupid, overpriced ride at Disney World. What I am trying to say is that this roller coaster has not been that fun to be on, but shucks, I sure have learned a lot! Can you say AFOG?

Yesterday I watched as Sam, 14, gave his “Presentation of Learning” at school. Basically, as exiting eighth graders, they had to sum up the past three years in regards to academics, transitions, social lives, etc. He used the roller coaster analogy too. When he told me he was going to use this, I told him it was too boring and overused (I’ve never been one to be opinionated).

Then he let me know he wasn’t going to use just any roller coaster. He was going to use the caterpillar one seen at local fairs. The one little kids ride. He chose this because, in his experience, middle school did not have huge ups and downs, just some minor hills and valleys. Clearly he is not a girl.

I love this kid for how self deprecating he is. How he does not take himself too seriously. How he connects with people. Not many 14 year olds would include this picture in their presentation (for when he was 11). I learn from him every day. And, yes, he gave me permission to use this picture. Something about this reminds me of Pee Wee Herman.

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As trite as it may sound, the thing that helps me most through challenges is being grateful. I know – that is so Oprah-ish I can barely stand it. But, I will say it is almost impossible to wallow in shit and complain in the same moment you are being grateful. Try it!

Here are some bright spots of this day:

This check. Finally, today I am sending this off to Montana. With your help we raised a nice chunk of change for Sherry’s children.

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This one eyed, three legged dog who has a massive tumor in his lungs and squirts shit around the house regularly is still with us. He’s still engaged and lovable. The end may be near, but not quite yet.

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This tree. You might remember that last fall this tree got pummeled by an early season snow storm and almost met an early demise. Now it’s back, even if it’s missing part of its top.P1120558

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This guy (Douglas Wisoff, Radiant Running). I will start running form coaching sessions with him on Thursday.

 I have been reading Chi Running and researching changes I might be able to make to my running form to help me be a more efficient and injury resistant runner. In this time of injury hell, this is the one thing that has made me very optimistic and excited about my running future. I know it will take time and patience, but I do think the end result is going to be very positive. More info on his coaching style HERE.

These two. My mom and dad have been travelling for over two weeks. Even though I don’t see them every day, it’s reassuring to know they’re nearby. So nice to have them back! This is what 50 years looks like.

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And lastly…5 pain-free miles today!

How to be grateful for when you don’t feel like it:

  • Don’t think of what you lack, appreciate all you have
  • Remember to thank everyone in your life for their small acts of kindness
  • Don’t get stuck in thinking life revolves around you. Put your focus outward.
  • Write it down. There is power and intention in the act of putting pen to paper.

Put aside your worries and cares for one minute. What’s something you’re grateful for today? Besides this blog of course.

SUAR

44 comments:

  1. I have Chi Running... I just have not read it yet.!

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  2. I, too, learn something every day from my children. The other morning my little guy woke up and snuggled in my arms and said, "I am going to wake up happy today, okay?" I am grateful that I have a choice to make - today I choose to be happy!!

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  3. I swear my kids teach me more every day than I teach them. And for that...I'm eternally grateful. That, and they never, ever, cease to make me laugh to no end on any given day.

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  4. Love this post. When I get cranky, I take a step back and realize that I don't have a care in the world compared to 95% of the population. I tell myself that they're called First World Problems for a reason.
    Your kid is awesome, BTW. Love the picture -- his personality really shines through.

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  5. At this very moment...I am thankful for my yummy homemade lunch (I make a mean bagel-turkey sandwich, with lots of cheese of course, if I do say so myself) and the ability to eat this sandwich at home because it's where I also work. And I am actually quite thankful for your blog, my friend. You're a constant inspiration. xo

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  6. I have been bothered with knee issues for awhile now. Read Chi Running and got DVD from library. Have been changing my running form and its PAIN FREE! Almost 2 weeks in and not a single knee twinge. I'm convinced Chi Running has done the trick. No more heel striking! Good luck!

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    1. GREAT news. I love the basics of CR - to be relaxed and really focus on the mind/body connection.

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  7. Thank you , thank you, thank you for that reminder. After 3 months of wincing in pain with every step I am now running pain-free and it feels priceless :)

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  8. I'm grateful for my amazing husband and beautiful baby girl.

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  9. So glad to hear you had some pain free miles!!

    I'll download Chi Running to the kindle. I am truly grateful for all the great advice you have to offer.

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  10. I'm sitting in my cubicle trying to hold back tears after seeing that check. THAT is the most beautiful thing I've seen in a while.

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  11. Great post! I am grateful that RRCA opened up a running coach certification course in Seattle and I registered for it. So exciting!! Glad you got 5 miles in and felt good. Love the picture of your parents. 50 years looks good on them:)

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  12. Great perspective and fantastic that you had five pain-free miles! You're going to get there and make the switch to more highs than lows. In the meantime, you're doing a great job on the roller coaster.

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  13. Most days I am dumb-founded by the stupidity of humans but today I am grateful for humans. I sat at the car shop getting my brakes done and had a couple of great conversations with a number of people.

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  14. Grateful for my life partner of 6.5 years, my amazing family, a best friend of 39 years that knows me better than I know myself, the craziest and funniest two dogs an owner could hope for, sunshine and a cool glass of Chardonay at the end of a long day.

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  15. I'm so grateful for you & your blog that makes me laugh & nod on the 'roller coaster of life'. I also broke up with my hairdresser & had the nerve to go to another. Today I look great & am appreciating my beauty! ;)

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    1. I need your hair dressers name. I am thinking of a divorce as well.

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  16. ChiRunning is the best! Get the DVD...it really helped me tons! Also, if you can find an actual ChiRunning instructor near you, go to a workshop. Seriously the best thing ever.

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    1. Glad to hear it. The coach I am using is along the lines of Chi Running, so I think we'll all be on the same wave length.

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  17. So glad we could all chip in a little for Sherry and her family.
    And I'm happy to hear you ran today, pain free!
    I am not all that Mary Sunshine, but it really, truly, makes a difference when you count your "blessings."
    It's similar to the way mantras work in ultrarunning. It's not the specifics that matter, as long as you're saying/focusing on something positive it keeps the negative/bad thoughts away.

    And if you don't make a habit of recognizing them aloud, it's easy to take those for granted.

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  18. Health & Family......and being invited to a 1/2 marathon as a guest and getting my fee re-imbursed...yippee

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  19. I know it's so cliche to say you're grateful when you're down and injured but I never lost sight of this with my foot injury. I lost my mom at such a very young age and everyday I woke up and was able to see my children live another day, I was grateful.

    I think when you learn to run correctly, it is going to make a world of difference for you. I changed my whole foot strike and I KNOW this is what is saving my foot from that nightmare pain returning. I know I'm still overstriding per the track coach I work with, but he said the improvements I've made on my own are remarkable. Patience and persistence, you will do it!!

    xo

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  20. SOME people around me make fun of my ability to turn negatives into the most positive things ever. The easy thing to do is sit there and wallow over something. The harder thing to do is to take a breathe, step back, and take a look around at all the great things in your life and what the bad can teach you!

    Thanks for this post!

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  21. Grateful for this post. Great perspective. I'm excited for your running journey--i feel like I'm there with you relearning a movement I thought so simple, but it takes mad concentration on my runs of late.

    Also thankful Lucky is still with you.

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  22. Cocker Spaniel? I have one, and I love her more than anyone should love a dog. She is 9, and still acts like a puppy, but tires out more easily. Her brown snout is sprinkled with white now, and I keep looking for "Just For Dogs", to comb through the gray.

    Grateful for said dog, who gets excited to see me, even if I just go out to get the mail! Grateful for my friends, who keep inviting me to bunco aka drunko, even though I've been hibernating and drowning my sorrows at home; my family of men, who won't allow me to feel sorry for myself and my broken foot; and my parents and sisters who remind me of all the good things I have going for me. Grateful that my foot is healing and I get to start running again.

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  23. I am grateful I can stay home with my kids. I am also super grateful for a sweet young woman, about my age, who shared her bench with me at the Kentucky Derby. I was surprised that she offered it to me, as she was clearly saving it, and saw her turn down a couple requests from others to sit there. I don't know why she picked me to sit, but it made the experience so much more enjoyable. I probably would not have been able to run today had I not sat for almost the remainder of the Derby, because my feet and ankles were trashed from wearing my heels all.day.long. As a SAHM, there are not many days ever where I even wear heels, let alone attempt to wear them for 8 hours in the heat, outside, with no place to sit. Tia from Indiana, THANK YOU!

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  24. I am thankful to be able to work from home and be there for my kids. Great post. I tried to read Chi Running but it was really confusing.

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  25. I'm glad I CAN run, and that I have some great people supporting me that hold me accountable. They help propel me forward. And I'm thankful that now that summer is here, that means it will be over before I know it (like, October...? Maybe...?)!

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  26. Your parents are lovely! Your doggie is adorable.

    And your son is pretty cute, too!

    I have been working on the Chi Running Technique for many months now and love it. I have shortened my stride considerably and learned to love and conquer hills! And the best part, no injuries. I wish you well with it.

    I thought you were going to tell us that you thought the worst ride at Disney World is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and I would agree with you!

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  27. I am thinking Sam gets a lot of his charm and wit from you....maybe even his "pose ability" for photos. ha!

    What am I grateful for? Stopping after just one beer tonight so I won't have a headache in the morning. It's the little things right? ;-)

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    1. I know! One just doesn't seem to be quite enough. Good for you for having the discipline...

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  28. I came home and my hubby had unloaded the DW, folded laundry, and made dinner. Thankful!

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  29. I'm grateful to how many caring a sweet people I encounter everyday...especially on my birthday a few days ago haha.

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  30. Smart kid you've got there! My 11 year old had to talk about a country he would like to visit and why today. He chose USA because of Disney and all the rides. He finished by saying his dad will hopefully go run trails in the USA one day and then he can get his chance. I hope it works out for us. Parents are precious. Mine was married 58 years on 1 May.

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  31. I have that quote you have at the beginning of this post on a button on my work desk. I love it!

    I am grateful for inspiration from people I don't know. I am grateful for the stubborness that moves me forward when everything else is telling me its okay to stop.

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  32. Thank YOU for your continued reminders to be thoughtful, to work hard at being better and to have fun and fart along the way!!

    This might sound really basic, but when I turn on the faucet, I am so grateful to have clean hot and cold running water when so much of the world doesn't.

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  33. I am so thankful for the many blessings in life on a daily basis. The picture of your parents is really precious.

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  34. I just recently started a gratitude journal as a way to cope with my constant injuries. It really helps to put everything into perspective. Your parents are so good looking! You look so much like your mom. :)

    It is so touching to see how much money will be sent to Sherry's kids! How amazing.

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  35. As a fairly new reader of your blog, I just wanted to say a couple things.. You've done a great job in supporting the memory of Sherry Arnold, and especially raising the money for the scholarship. Also, I've worked with Douglas, and he's a great coach. He can get you sorted out and back in top running form.

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  36. I've been reading your blog for awhile. I usually have a big smile on my face when I do!! Thank you for your post today!!! I had a day of feeling sorry for myself, as I'm recovering from a broken foot. This is the first week I've been given permission to run 1/2 mile. I overdid it by a walk and bicycle ride. :( my point to say, I'm not where I want to be and I want to be where I was in endurance and running before my injury - instead of enjoying the moment, the beautiful day, I was frustrated. Thank you for your reminder!!! I have so much to be thankful for and it is the little steps in life each day that fit together for the whole.
    Patty

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  37. amazing post so thanks for this because this is the amazing

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