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Posts tagged ‘appreciation’

Oct 17

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Tender

“The Infinite has written its name on the heavens in shining stars, and on earth in tender flowers.”- Jean Paul Richter

Walk softly through the garden. As the dew rests on the petals, beauty awakens to the rising sun. Tender yet strong, the flowers bend in the wind and rain, but never break. Petals burst with joy and delight as the infinite possibilities of the day unfold. Walk softly, tenderly, with strength. The day belongs to those are filled with wonder in the simplicity and beauty of each moment.

“I saw also that there was an ocean of darkness and death, but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness.” - George Fox

“I saw also that there was an ocean of darkness and death, but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness.” – George Fox

Oct 13

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Be Brave

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

We often get defeated by the day to day, the small. Harsh words from a customer. Work filled with unending unreasonable deadlines. We get lost in transactions, lists and the sheer volume of tasks, losing our humanity in the process.

I started this blog to write more, to challenge my introverted self to open up and to search for the good in each day. We long to be lifted out of the small and to be cast into the moment, into the light. We have the power to shape our life and to encourage others along the way.

The video below was made by the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital. The young lady in the beginning of the video and who has the courage to remove her wig in the middle is the daughter of my boss. She’s gone through a second round of treatment for a rare cancer. The bright beautiful smile you see in the video is who she is through and through, finding and giving joy despite the depth of her circumstances. The video was posted on October 7th on YouTube and now has 288,820 hits.

Take a few minutes, turn up the volume and count your blessings. Be brave.

Oct 9

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You Count

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

At the marathon this weekend, it was inspiring to hear about the amazing accomplishments of the front of the pack –  finishing in 2.5-3 hours. I was happy to finish and improve a bit on my first marathon. The real inspiration came for me as I walked back from the finish line to see family and friends at mile 25. Runners were still finishing, pushing through, six hours on the course.

According to marathon “rules,” the course closes at six hours and you must clear the road. Runners at that point were told that they could finish on the sidewalk but they were unofficial and it didn’t count. Wow! How often do we hear or say that to ourselves or others?

In our daily lives, by actions, inactions, expressions and words, we have the power to inspire or deflate. Never discount anyone. What you do and say matters – choose wisely with kindness and love as your compass.

Oct 7

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Persevere

“In the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm… in the real world all rests on perseverance.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Eight months ago when I decided to do my second marathon, I was very excited at the idea. I then proceeded with the training, taking it seriously, following a plan and overall I felt great. At 48, I am in the best shape of my life. Yesterday, I did the work to prepare, to finish strong. I rested and drank extra water on Saturday and Sunday, well-hydrated, I thought.

All week, the meteorologists predicted pouring rain all morning. 8:00 am start – blue skies and mid 40s, a perfect running day. It usually takes me a few miles to warm up. Mile 6, I was achy and had a headache. My brother John had dropped me off, parked near the finish line and biked back to meet me at mile 10 on the course. Mile 13, I told him I felt like I was tanking, only half way there, and I thought, “I may not make it” but I turned up the music and pushed on. I took some more electrolytes and kept going. Mile 16, calf cramp and light headed. Mile 17-20, a few light showers followed by an ankle and groin cramp (first time for this one, delightful). My legs felt like stumps. John kept riding ahead, stopping, getting off the bike and clapping as I went by. At one point, a woman looked at me and asked my name, I told her and she yelled, “you can do it, Kathie!” At least one of us believed it.

At mile 21, I knew I would finish even if I crawled in on all fours. Friends and family were gathered at mile 25 so my goal was to see them, be upright and smiling. My niece Emily surprised me coming back from school (3 hours away) to be there. Right down the line, hugs and kisses for friends and family. Emily ran me in the last mile with John still riding along the side, the longest, slowest bike ride he’s ever done. Mile 26.2 – done. Amen.

Walking back up the hill to mile 25 to see family and friends, I figured I’m too old for this. Where did I go wrong?  I described what happened on the course and Terry asked, “did you drink more water than usual?” – Sure did, needed to be hydrated. Well, it turns out, you can drink too much water – the official term – hyponatremia – I washed all of the electrolytes. He did the same thing on one of his marathons. All the symptoms matched with what happened on the course, with the exception of seizure and death. Glad I missed those.

While I wanted to finish strong, I endured to the finish. Life is about showing up, trying, failing, getting back up, trying again, giving, receiving, fun, faith, family, friends – all those gifts that describe the past four months that culminated yesterday morning. Choose your “marathon” – whatever that is and pursue it with all you have.

Oct 5

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Proof

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

The fact that our thoughts can weigh us down is proof that they can in turn lift us up. I’ve wavered this week between anticipation and worry about the marathon tomorrow. More anticipation and excitement, but worry has more weight and density.

“God enters by a private door into every individual.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“God enters by a private door into every individual.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Doubt and faith are two sides of the same coin. Doubt lingers and nags in worldly voices that never have the courage to show themselves. Faith is the seed in all of us, planted and firmly rooted in God, the Master Gardener. A quiet knowing that there’s something greater in each of us and embracing us. Needing no proof, faith lifts, pulls, pushes and hurls us forward into the unknown. Faith is depth and motion, hope and joy. Faith is letting go.

So whatever marathon you are going through right now, let faith hold your hand firmly and run you through each and every step. With faith, proof doesn’t come at the start line but shows up at the finish.

Oct 2

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Pause

“Silence is the pause in me when I am near to God.” – Arvo Part

When we slow down long enough and silence overcomes the noise of the day, the moment rises in front of us like a beautiful sunrise. Pause, be quiet and let wonder in.

Sep 24

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The Weight of a Feather

“Abundance is a process of letting go; that which is empty can receive.” – Bryant H. McGill

We let little things get to us. Speeding through the day, restless nights, repeat.  We give too much power to daily inconveniences and irritations. Counting and stack them, we get crushed by the weight of a feather.

Life is so much more than what happens to us. We are bigger and much more than our circumstances. We can define our days, set the stage. Lighten up and let the feathers float away. No need to let the little things become big things. There is so much more to be thankful for than to complain about. Count what counts.

Sep 22

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10080

“Time is not a line, but a series of now-points.” – Taisen Deshimaru

“Sunset is still my favorite color, and rainbow is second.” – Mattie Stepanek

“Sunset is still my favorite color, and rainbow is second.” – Mattie Stepanek

There are 10080 minutes in the week. As you begin this week, what’s your plan? Anguish or anticipation? We waste a lot of time deconstructing the past instead of constructing the present. Patiently, we wait for the “perfect” moment to make changes, do something different, pursue what we really want. Be impatient and move, only 9660 minutes left.

Put those “now-points” to good use this week and enjoy your life while you’re at it. And be kind along the way.

Sep 19

GrateFULL

“It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” – Brother David Steindl-Rast

A dinner with friends, a walk with the dogs through the woods, a phone call, email or text just checking in, a smile, a laugh, a long run, the gift of seasons. The simple wonders of each day are plenty. Gratitude breeds joy. We are full, overflowing. Each day – seize the moments with gratefulness and awe.

Sep 15

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Team Sport

“No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” – Alfred North Whitehead

“The language of friendship is not words but meanings.” – Henry David Thoreau

“The language of friendship is not words but meanings.” – Henry David Thoreau

Yesterday, I ran the Bear Water Run, the last long run before the Twin Cities marathon three weeks from today. They offered a 10 and 20 mile option, twice around White Bear Lake. Lined up with a few hundred others, I thought of the training runs I did by myself to get me to this last long run. It was encouraging to be with others on the same journey with their own stories. A few blocks in to the run, my brother John and sister-in-law Tina were on bikes waiting to follow along, checking in every few miles.

As I was approaching the end of the first 10 mile lap around the lake, I thought of 2004 when I ran this event for my first marathon training. I had IT band injury from running on uneven pavement, so I was concerned if I would even finish the 20 miler. As I turned the corner for the first 10 miles, Dad was standing there to make sure I was ok. He came back at the end of the run too.

Learning the lessons from my first marathon, I felt much better after the first 10 miles yesterday. Anna then joined me for the second 10 miles lap around the lake. She pulled me along with her fresh legs, conversation and walking with me when the toll of the hills started to work on my knees and ankles. When we were two miles out, putting it all in a bite-sized perspective, she noted “only 20 minutes left”, then 10 minutes, one mile left. She even let me finish a step ahead of her. When we were at a the “you finished” lunch (beer) with Mom, Dad, John, Tina and Anna, the texts messages came rolling in from friends checking to see how I did.

In our daily life, we can often feel like we are alone, doing the “long runs” by ourselves. Yesterday, reminded me that we are never alone. Life is a team sport. We need only look up and around and see the gifts of family and friends – our cheering section, running along our side, making the journey complete.

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