Monday, August 12, 2013

20 Things You Will Never Regret

As I spent hours alone on the bike yesterday (5½ to be exact), I was thinking about how I try to make each day, each action count. One of my greatest fears is having things not done, words not said, gratitude not shown. So, on that note:

20 Things You Will Never Regret

  1. Your workout that you didn’t want to do, but did anyway.
  2. Carrying at least $3 with you on a bike or run.
  3. Not sending emails when you are angry.
  4. Doing something for someone “just because.”
  5. Wearing a Road ID.
  6. Taking a risk and doing something that really scares the crap out of you.
  7. Flossing.
  8. Sending a thank you note.
  9. High fiving a kid during a race.
  10. Laughing at yourself.
  11. Volunteering at a race.
  12. Taking a cake or cookies to the neighbor who just moved in on your street.
  13. Not gossiping.
  14. Putting on Body Glide or Vaseline before a race.
  15. Bringing an extra layer.
  16. Not getting defensive.
  17. Refusing to hang out with negative people.
  18. Leaving your Garmin at home every once in awhile.
  19. Taking a rest day.
  20. Rescuing a dog.

IMAG1585

What would you add to the list?

SUAR

60 comments:

  1. I love this!

    I think I would add saying thank you to a volunteer at a race. It really does have the potential to make someone's day.

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  2. I don't know...I'm pretty sure I've regretted flossing a time or two. But I've never ever ever regretting eating an extra slice of bacon.

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  3. Love this list, especially the part about rescuing a dog! Mine is sitting on my lap right now! :0)

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  4. I love your list. I would add "contacting someone's manager ..... to give them props for doing a GREAT job, rather than to complain."

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  5. Skipping a TV show you like to go to bed early. (I know, the cool kids DVR, but then when do you watch the recording?)

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  6. Always carry a tissue in case you need to use it for TP! That was my Mom's rule and I now pass it on to my kids.

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  7. I would add "Skipping a workout or race you really wanted to do but knew you shouldn't because you have an injury developing/healing." I am on round 3 of injuries in 12 months. I am used to working out 6x/week. It has been very difficult to NOT go out there on my bike or run because of a stupid tendon.

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    1. What gets me through those times is this little phrase I read somewhere: If you under train, you may not finish but if you over train, you may not start.

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    2. As someone who has been injured a few times, this is GREAT advice.

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  8. Turning off the TV and play a board game with the kiddo. Those are moments you can't get back.

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  9. I was wondering which type of glossing you were talking about?! One, I regret EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. :)

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    1. Darn auto-correct "flossing " not "glossing"

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  10. Laughing off a rude comment and/or when someone is working to make life difficult. I used to take all of this in but more and more I am working to laugh it off and be grateful I am not at that bitter stage of the person!

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  11. I would just add rescuing a cat for us feline-inclined folks =] My Molly girl was 3 days from being put down at a nasty shelter in NYC and rubbed her face on my face practically begging me to take her out of there. Never, ever gonna regret that decision!

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    Replies
    1. So glad Molly found you! (and rescued you too!)

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    2. I'm glad that you found Molly too!

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  12. Not posting pictures to FB after 3 glasses of wine.

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  13. This list is 95% true for me. But I often regret taking an extra layer. I'm ALWAYS too warm

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  14. Proud fan of road ID, even if my friend says it looks like I'm on house arrest. And proud to say I've rescued 2 dogs in my lifetime.

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  15. Awesome list! :)
    You won't ever regret taking a hot shower :) A bit basic, but it always makes you feel great!

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  16. Currently have two kitties from a shelter and have had many dogs before them.
    I always thank police at a race-out there all morning on Sundays usually!
    They seem surprise but always smile back and wave.
    I have never had a Garmin nor do I ever plan to get one.
    I am old school and bare bones.
    Call your mom and dad frequently would be the only thing I would add...

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  17. Opening your heart to someone. You may well get hurt, but we are so very alone if we never do.

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  18. Kissing your spouse goodnight.

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  19. I love your list and agree with each and every one of those!!

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  20. Great list! I will add doing something for nature conservation.

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  21. YES! 2, 6, and 16 for sure!!! Great list. I would only add: Not having that "last" drink :-)

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  22. Great list! I would add: Taking a new mom a meal (whether it's her first or 6th baby).

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  23. I have to disagree with #1...doing the workout you really didn't want to do. Often you don't want to get out there because your body is trying to tell you no...too many injuries have come as a result of the "just do it" attitude. I would change #1 to "always listen to your body"

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    1. Agreed. Obviously if you are on the edge of injury, sick or your body is begging you for rest you don't "just do it." But I was referring more to all those times when you just don't "feel" like going...then you do and you're glad you did.

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  24. Awesome list. I think I am more impressed that you can have such deep thoughts while riding and then commit them to memory. Of course this is coming from someone who spents months on the trainer watching Nickelodeon while IM training.

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  25. Well today I would add celebrating your birthday, cause I'm doing that and I know so many people who try to pretend they aren't getting older! WTH if you aren't getting older you are dead!

    But besides that...hmm a great piece of dark chocolate. I've never regretted that!

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    1. Love these two additions! I enjoy celebrating my birthday and all of my friends'!! I also love dark chocolate!

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  26. Having an experience/going on a trip instead of buying things/presents for a special occassion.

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  27. I love this list. I started to share which ones were my favs, but there are simply too many! Lots of truth in this list. xo

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  28. lol.. All great ideas. This was such a nice positive blog post to read this morning. Ready for the day now. :)

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  29. Putting away your work/ Blackberry/ iPhone/ computer to spend some time with your family! (As long as you don't take it to the extreme and get fired :)). Great list!

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  30. having clean towels in the car. You never know when you will need them.

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  31. We actually did lament rescuing our German Shepherd, Jack. Initially. We were officially checking him out for a few days. He had all sorts of weird problems. He would have seizures and epileptic fits. And crap all over the floor. We also had a 3 yr old who wasn't much different. But she has asthma like conditions that we associated with the dog - we weren't sure. We tried to return the dog but the rescue operator was a flake and wouldn't take Jack back. Jack is 11 years old now and near his end of days. We love him endlessly.

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  32. Great list! I would add that you'll not regret closing the bag of chips before you're licking your fingers to get the crumbs from the corners to stick to them. Your heart might feel sad for a little while, but it's not actual regret.

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  33. Calling your Mother to say, what's up!

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  34. Your list is awesome. I would add, run without music every once and a while and think in the present instead of worrying about the future.

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  35. You will never regret stopping everything to take a minute and laugh with your children and loved ones.

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    1. This ^^^^^^^^

      As a father of two girls who is going through a divorce right now (and doesn't get to see his daughters that much anymore) I would encourage all parents out there to spend as much time as possible with your kids every day!!! Even if you live happily ever after, they're going to move out someday. You can always run later!!!

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  36. Forgiving your friends when they screw up.

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  37. Great list. Needed to read that today, thanks :)

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  38. Yep, great list! I've done #17 very deliberately and I'm much happier for it. :)

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  39. Absolutely love this list. Thanks!

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  40. I hate to say this but being on a bike for 5 1/2 hours may be the reason you have no time, to say the things you want, and do the things you want...unless riding a bike for that long IS what you wanted....Unless you were doing a race..this just completely lost my feelings of connectedness with you...how can anyone think "normal" when that amount of time exercising would blow the rest of their day to hell. lol.

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