Dec 22
“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale
“Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store.” – Dr. Seuss
May the grace, joy and love of the season warm and comfort you like a soft blanket. Be light as a snowflake and let the spirit of Christmas be your companion all year long. Merry Christmas.
Oct 7
“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.
Sep 2
“One is, we should never ever give up. Two is, you’re never too old to chase your dreams. Three is, it looks like a solitary sport, but it’s a team.” – Diana Nyad
On her fifth try, 64-year-old Diana Nyad made history today as the first swimmer to swim without a shark cage from Cuba to Florida, 110 miles. What an awesome model on how to live and a reminder that we must keep trying and never let our circumstances defeat our spirit. A refreshing and deserving hero who stayed in the game, proving that our losses are only final if we give up. Victory is the last word for those who keep getting up when knocked down. Dreaming, no matter our age, combined with hard work wins the day.
So today is a celebration of resolve, resilience, persistence, drive, dreaming, focus, teamwork and living life like it’s the only one we have – because it is.
Aug 3
“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” – Guillaume Apollinaire
A few miles in to our daily run or our walk to visit the neighborhood chickens, Lily strays off the path to plop in a patch of grass for a momentary rest. Molly patiently waits by her side until she’s ready to move on. They take in the moment. The moment is enough.
Pause each day and plop long enough to rest, reflect and ready yourself for those next steps. Accept and appreciate the joy to be found in each moment.
“The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.” – Richard Bach
“Who will tell whether one happy moment of love or the joy of breathing or walking on a bright morning and smelling the fresh air, is not worth all the suffering and effort which life implies.” – Erich Fromm
Jun 30
“I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.” – Leonardo da Vinci
At a funeral service for a family friend, a few of family members reflected on a life well-lived filled with laughter, tears, inside jokes, little moments. Loyal, generous, kind, gentle – principles lived out each day.
What will they say about what you left behind? Move through each day keenly aware of the brevity and gift of life and your capacity and duty to make a positive, loving and lasting impact while you’re here. What will they say? You’re writing it each day in your thoughts, words and actions.
Jun 26
“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.” – Thomas Merton
My parents drove up to Duluth early Saturday morning to surprise my brother at the finish of his first marathon. With great anticipation, we waited in the rain for him to turn the final corner. Cameras ready and cow bells ringing, Tina, Emily and I were cheering to get his attention and then pointed out Mom and Dad. John’s mouth dropped and he stopped in his tracks to embrace Dad. Emily brilliantly captured the moment, summing it all up.
Family, friends, love, unwavering support, being there in the rain to celebrate our wins, easing the heavy steps all make the long race possible and meaningful. The finishing touch to the journey well traveled, never alone.
“At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet.” – Plato
Jun 11
“There’s no enlightenment outside of daily life.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Put down the binoculars, searching in the distance. Pick up a magnifying glass to this day, to now. Surely amidst the daily routine and rush, you can find but one good thing, then another and another. You are not where you’ve been and you are going where you need to. Look through the glass with awe, surprise and delight.
Do the work, find the joy in it, then put it down. Rest, reflect and do it again. The rhythm of daily life. The outcomes come whether we worry about them or not. Let life unfold without pushing. Magnify each moment.
May 27
“Wisdom begins in wonder.” – Socrates
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats
This weekend, we celebrated my nephew Mark’s graduation from college. Next weekend, we celebrate my niece Emily’s graduation from high school, proud moments, wonderful life transitions and milestones. Twenty seven years ago, I graduated from college and am reminded vividly that time passes by both slowly and quickly all at once. If I could go back and give my 27 year younger self some advice as well as Mark and Emily, here are a few thoughts that come to my mind and heart:
While this part of your education is over, school has just begun. Be curious, ask questions and you will learn every day. And to my 27 year older self, that youthful optimism and enthusiasm remains within, a bit bruised from the journey, but stronger for it.
May 22
“Life is lived on levels and arrived at in stages.” – Edwin Louis Cole
It’s a good place to be, right in the moment. No regrets of what’s been or not been, only lessons, memories, stories and blessings (some disguised as burdens) that sustain us. No worries of what’s to come, only faith that we will arrive where and when we need to, with confidence that it is our place and our time.
Moments by themselves often don’t make sense, but in their entirety make up the notes in our symphony. Looking back, we can see the series of pivot points, challenges, victories and arrivals and the path is complete. So moving forward, knowing that it really does all tie together, we can appreciate and enjoy the moment knowing that we are where we need to be.
Gratitude and awareness of the present cultivates a deep, lasting joy. While we may not arrive to our many destinations in our time, it’s always the right time. Keep showing up. You are arriving everyday.
May 19
“Explore daily the will of God.” – Carl Jung
In the quiet of the morning before we let thoughts in that have no place, set the tone and direction for each day. A guide, a compass, a prayer.
“Dear God,
I give this day to You.
May my mind stay centered on the things of spirit.
May I not be tempted to stray from love.
As I begin this day, I open to receive You.
Please enter where You already abide.
May my mind and heart be pure and true, and may I not deviate from things of goodness.
May I see the love and innocence in all mankind, behind the masks we all wear and the illusions of this worldly plane.
I surrender to You my doings this day.
I ask only that they serve You and the healing of the world.
May I bring your love and goodness with me, to give unto others wherever I go.
Make me the person You would have me be.
Direct my footsteps, and show me what you would have me do.
Make the world a safer, more beautiful place.
Bless all your creatures.
Heal us all, and use me, dear Lord, that I might know the joy of being used by You. Amen.”
– Marianne Williamson. Illuminata: A Return to Prayer
Be present in this day, tomorrow has its own time.
