2017 miles Day 207

Feelings, difficult little monsters - aren't they?  You put forth the extra effort, You sacrificed, You went the extra mile, You made sure You dotted all your i's and crossed all your t's, You left no stone unturned,  You know that things don't happen by themselves and You were instrumental in getting them done ... Then - wham!  Your feelings are hurt.  You don't get the recognition, the applause, the simple "thank you - I couldn't have done this without you" message that your heart wanted to hear.  Just those two simple words ... "thank you".  You drop little hints which are not picked up.  You send subtle messages that are not heard, and your feelings are hurt even more.  And another thing, being reprimanded for even dropping those little hints.  You feel devalued, defeated, dejected.  And, to top it all off, someone who wasn't even in the trenches doing the work is given the honors.  The "most important person award".

It hurts................................  Feelings, those difficult little monsters..........................

It's easy to just say;  "Get over it."  "Move on."  "What's the big deal?"  Sure, it's easy to say and yet, very hard to do.  Those Feelings get in the way.  We find strategies to hide them, to put them away, to vulcanize them, but they are still there.  It's part of being human.  We find strategies to escape them, sabotage them, lock them up, but they are still there.  It's part of being human.

I am human.  I accept that I have feelings.  I accept the fact that these feelings will get hurt, mangled, mashed, ignored, devalued, and pushed aside.  It's part of being ...................... human.  I will not let those little monsters dictate who I am and who I want to be.  I will live today, and not dwell on yesterday.  I will live one day at a time, and enjoy each moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.

Enjoy Your Day!!!

2017 miles Day 206

How was your Thursday?  I had a pretty productive day.  Today was a tie-up-loose-ends day.  I finished the edges and signed three paintings, cleaned weeds out of the flower beds, folded and put away laundry, then spent the afternoon beginning a new painting.  I think I'll title this one "Serenity".  The first stanza of the Serenity Prayer is well known, but the last part, not so much.  It is the last part that I want to express in this painting.

We focus and spend unnecessary energy on things we have no power over.  We fret and fuss, fume and cuss, and those things we cannot change are still the same.  

Instead, pray for Serenity ..............................

God, grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change...
Courage to change the things I can,
And Wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Amen.     

2017 miles Day 205

It's going to be a Wonderful Wednesday!  and I will do my best to make it so.

I'm learning the important difference between "I need to", "I should" and "I will". 

 

How often do You say something like: 

I need to stop .......

I need to do..........

I need to be .......

or change the need to to the word should.  

I should stop ............

I should do ..........   

I should be .........

Now, change the need to and the should to the word will.  

I will stop .....

I will do .....

I will be ......

See the difference?  Making a commitment using the word will gives a whole different meaning.  This little four letter word  changes your attitude from a probably won't do, to a definite are going to.  

Today, change your mindset to I will ......... and see what difference that little word can make.

Now, GET OUT THERE.  You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 201

Enjoy your day!!!

What do you GET to do with it???

2017 miles Day 200

For once I got up early and got to run my 6 miles today before it got hot.  What a beautiful morning!!!  There really is something to getting up early, watching the sunrise and getting out and running.  If feels ...........................!!!

Here is the song from my playlist that I ran mile 6 to Darude - Sandstorm  Great ending to a great run this morning.

Now, GET OUT THERE.  You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 199

A great way to start your Thursday!!!

66 Movie Dance Scenes Mashup with Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake

Enjoy!!!

Getting me psyched for a 6 mile run this morning......!!!!

(Think there was something wrong with my internet connection this morning.  My apologies if this is posted twice)

2017 miles Day 198

A little reminder:

Excerpt from "Wanna Know a Truth", by Tony Garcia, pg 137

I'm grateful for today. I'm stronger, braver, wiser.
~ Tony Curl

I shall greet this day with a smile. For whatever it brings to me, I hold inside of me a joy that cannot be moved.

I shall greet this day with a wink. For whatever it brings to me, I hold inside of me a knowledge that I will be OK.

I shall greet this day with my head up. For whatever it brings to me, I hold inside of me a confidence that cannot be undone.

I shall greet this day with hope. For whatever it brings to me, I hold inside of me a faith that always sees me through.

I shall greet this day with patience. For whatever it brings to me, I hold inside of me a calm from which I will breathe.

I shall greet this day with strength. For whatever it brings to me, I hold inside of me a truth that speaks of how strong I have always been.

I shall greet this day with arms wide open. For whatever it brings, I hold inside of me a gratitude for simply being given yet another day.

*************************

2017 miles Day 197

It's a typical Tuesday - Don't make it typical....................

Now, GET OUT THERE.  You have work to do!!!!

2017 miles Day 196

Monday Morning Message - from Tony Garcia

If you believe extending an act of kindness makes a difference, you can believe you are worthy of offering yourself the same.

If you believe gentle words are able to calm the fears of others, you can believe you have a voice within you to minimize all you are afraid of.

If you believe forgiveness frees one from the chains of bitterness and regret, you can believe it is okay to let yourself up from past mistakes.

If you believe in the existence of that which cannot be touched but is able to be held, such as hope and happiness, you can believe it simply waits for you to embrace it.

If you believe in another enough to give your heart away, you can believe in a love you have to give yourself.

If you believe in the sun rising tomorrow, you can believe in the miracle that is you.

If you believe. You can. ~G

2017 miles Day 195

It's the beginning of a new week, and almost half way through the month of July.

How has your July been?  So far, pretty good I would say.  Staying on track with making smart beverage choices, eating real food and avoiding overly processed ones, keeping the compost pile going, garden is growing - picked a bushel of green beans and first ripe tomato, and........keeping up on weeding the garden.  I would say ............. SUCCESS!!!!

Enjoy your Sunday!!!

2017 miles Day 194

Where did the day go?  I got up early and watched a beautiful sunrise.  Then for a short 2 mile run.  I spent the rest of the day catching up of stuff and working in my studio on another painting.  Guess that's where the day went.

The painting is turning out beautifully by the way.

Not much else to post this evening.  Nothing of wisdom.  Nothing of encouragement.  

Nothing insightful .  Nothing provoking words.

Sometimes "Nothing"  is Ok

Enjoy the rest of your evening!!!

2017 miles Day 193

I've started training for another half-marathon.  I'm feeling confident that it'll be a good race.  The date is September 30th, so have a lot of time to prepare.  I ran it last year, and did ok.  This year I'm expecting a much better time.  I have a good foundation, had a couple of relaxing easy weeks after the Colfax half, and now it's time to hit the road.

To start your day, I'm sharing last evening's post from Mr. Tony Garcia.

Before you bring this day to a close just a thought to rest your dreams upon.

Love does not suck. Ever.
Love gently breathes color, life, hope into the empty pieces of you. Always.

Love does not leave. Ever.
Love remains through the trials, stumbles, difficult pieces of you. Always.

Love does not scar. Ever.
Love heals, soothes, stitches together the broken pieces of you. Always.

Love does not raise its voice. Ever.
Love softly whispers, quietly speaks amid the screaming pieces of you. Always.

Love does not rage. Ever.
Love calms, brings peace, adds serenity to the turbulent pieces of you. Always.

Love does not ghost. Ever.
Love stays close, remains visible, is a presence within the haunted pieces of you. Always.

Love does not judge. Ever.
Love welcomes, accepts, loves all the pieces of you. Always.

Love does not. If it does. It is not love.

Love, Me 

***********************************

Now, GET OUT THERE.  You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 192

Your life will fly by, so make sure you're the pilot."  

~ Rob Liano

I've been getting up every morning to watch the sunrise.  Every one is different, every one offers the promise of a great day.  What am I going to do with this gift?  Where will I fly today?

Every day is a gift.  Don't waste it.

Now, GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 191

A Tony Garcia message for you to start your Wednesday.....................

This. A whisper from my heart.

This. An open letter. Fill in your blank.

Dear __________,

I don't want just your beautiful.
I want your messy.
Your tired.
Your scars.

I don't want just your perfect.
I want your imperfections.
Your flaws.
Your chaos.

I don't want just your easy.
I want your "this is too hard".
Your burdens.
Your struggles.

I don't want just your "got it all together".
I want your disheveled.
Your untucked.
Your "I'm about to lose it".

I don't want just your calm.
I want your storms.
Your darkness.
Your turbulence.

I don't want just your pieces.
I want your everything.
Your wholeness.
Your all.

I want. Just you. For this, is to love.

Love, Me

**************************************************

As I read and reflect on Tony Garcia's message today, I took a closer look at Me ............... 

The first stanza, beautiful and accepting tired, messy, scarred.  I'm not one to wear make-up or try really hard to fit the magazine image of beautiful, but I do want to appear to be all put together,  the one who is tireless.  I put on my mask and cover the messy and scarred.  I wear the mask beautifully.  Self-image ... how do I see Me ... how do I want others to see Me?

The second stanza, perfection and accepting flaws and chaos.  I am not perfect.  I have flaws.  I have chaos in my life.  I do not want others to see these flaws, this chaos, so I hide behind my mask.  Self-image ... how do I see Me ... how do I want others to see Me?  

The third stanza, easy and accepting that life has burdens or struggles.  On the outside it appears that there is nothing that I can't do.  The reality???  I hide behind my mask of confidence.  Self-image ... how do I see Me ... how do I want others to see Me?

The fourth stanza, "got it all together" and accepting out of control.  There are very few people in my life that I allow to see me untucked.  This is a mask that I have welded tightly.  It is a mask that I wear and wear proudly.  I let my mask down only to a select few.  This is who I am.  Self-image ... how do I see Me ... how do I want others to see Me?

The fifth stanza, calm and accepting storms, darkness, and turbulence.  I ride a roller coaster.  Most of the time my ride is calm and easy and then I sabotage my ride.  The darkness, the storms, the turbulence take over.  I hide behind my mask and hope no one sees my struggle.  Self-image ... how do I see Me ... how do I want others to see Me?

As I reflect on Me this morning does it really matter how others see Me?  Actually, the answer is no.  The important thing is how do I see Me.

When I look in the mirror, who do I see?  What mask am I wearing?   Will I take down the masks or keep hiding???  Will I continue to hide myself from me?  Will I be able to accept all of Me, not just the good, but also the not so good ..........................  I think so.  Because to love Me, is to love all of Me.  Not just the good stuff.  

2017 miles Day 190

Today's message is from my mom:

"If you don't try, you won't know you can."

A simple word  "Try" has made all the difference.  I didn't know I could run a 5K until I tried.  I didn't know I could run a half-marathon until I tried.  I didn't know I could paint until I tried.  I didn't know I could - until I tried.  

On the same note.  There are several things that I tried and the outcome wasn't what I expected or wanted.  Did that mean that I quit trying?  No, it just meant that I tried differently.  Trying is a learning experience.  It is an experiment.  There is no "fail' in "try", there is just a different way to do that which you want to accomplish.  

What do you want to do???  If you don't try, you won't know you can!!!  

Now, GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 189

Took yesterday off, and today my knee feels 100%.  Think that was a smart move.  Listen to your body.  If you push too hard, push through the pain, push beyond what your body can handle, you will risk a more serious injury.  I know this sounds counter to what you may hear, but for me it's better to be a healthy runner than a stuck-on-the-couch-because-I was-stupid injured runner.

So, today is going to be a shorter run.  I know I set a goal for running 5 miles every day this month.  I'll try to keep that, but know that if necessary I will modify.

Today's message from Mr. Tony Garcia

This. A whisper from my heart.
This. Your pep talk.

Have your fears
Have your doubts
Have your excuses
Have a way to rise above them

Have a goal
Have a vision
Have a dream
Have a plan to reach them

Have a letdown
Have a meltdown
Have a breakdown
Have a moment and get over it

Have a good day
Have a great day
Have a fabulous day
Have gratitude for having another day

Have faith
Have hope
Have belief
Have the courage to hold these always

Have a cause
Have a reason
Have a motivation
Have the discipline to live up to it

Have light
Have laughter
Have love
Have an understanding, these are a choice

You've just been pep talked.
Go get today. ~G

2017 miles Day 188

It's Sunday and was planning on a long run.  Instead I'll have to take a rest day.  Did something to my right knee, and it feels a bit funky.  Don't want to risk a serious injury, so will not do anything that will irritate it further.

Enjoy your day, and Happy Sunday!!!

2017 miles Day 187

Today's message is from Tony Garcia:  This. A whisper from my heart.

The hard truth is that not everything you want, need or desire is possible to achieve.

Despite what you may have been told or what you believe, somethings are simply impossible. That is the bad news.

The good news? Once you understand and recognize what "impossibles" you are constantly trying to achieve, you can begin to make changes.

Changes which will ultimately lead to you successfully having all you want or need.

Here is what I call the "Impossible List"

1. Seeing the positive by always focusing on the negative

2. Building yourself up by constantly tearing yourself down

3. Making progress while making excuses

4. Becoming you by pretending to be someone or something you are not

5. Living and loving today by holding on to yesterday or worrying about tomorrow

6. Finding peace while holding on to regret, hurt, anger

7. Attaining happiness by waiting for someone else to be the source of it

8. Truly loving another without completely loving yourself

9. Having what you want while still believing you are not worthy

10. Achieving your dreams by simply hoping and wishing

I suspect there are more impossibles I could add to the list. And yet, for many of us, there is at least one item on this list for us to focus on.

And, my wish for you, is now that you understand what is impossible, you will stop investing time and energy in those.

And that you begin to construct everything that is possible. ~G

***************************************************************

Enjoy your weekend.  Make today a "Get-to" kinda day full of possibilities!!!

2017 miles Day 186

A message from Tony Garcia to start your day from his book, Wanna Know a Truth, pg 264

Don't sweat the small stuff ... and it's all small stuff.

~ Richard Carlson

If I am to sweat, it shall not be over the small stuff.

The pettiness of that which will not matter come day's end.

The minor details soon lost, for they truly mattered not.

Effort focused there does not honor the size of my dreams.

If I am to sweat, it shall not be over what I cannot change or control.

The actions, attitudes, and words of others.

My yesterdays and my tomorrows.

Energy spent there is but wasted.

If I am to sweat, it shall not be out of fear.

Fear produces little movement, little change, little opportunity for growth.

Time given my fears is time not well spent.

If I am to sweat, it shall be in pursuit of a dream.

It shall be for the hard work of changing old habits.

It shall be for finding the courage to take the leap.

**********************************************************

I like this message a lot.  How many times do you hear, "Don't sweat the small stuff."  And, how many times do you actually take in what that actually means.  So many times I find myself sweating over minor details.  In a painting for instance, I'll spend hours fiddling with minor details that are lost when you step away and look from a distance.  Minor details, though nice, are just that - minor.  Don't waste time over them.  So many times I find myself sweating over the should have, could have, would haves, instead of focusing on my can and will.

Today - "Don't sweat the small stuff ... and it's all small stuff."  In the end, what will it matter?  Focus instead on a better You. 

Remember, today is another 5 mile day, so..............................

GET OUT THERE - You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 185

I've always had this question;  Do I count the miles, or the amount of time I run?  I found an interesting article on this very subject.  The article points out that your body doesn't know miles, it knows time and effort put in.  

Should You Run by Minutes or Miles?

• By Jason R. Karp, Ph.D.
• For Active.com

"The amount of time spent running, however, is more important than the number of miles—it's the duration of effort that represents the amount of training stress. A faster runner will cover the same amount of distance in less time than a slower runner or, to put it another way, will cover more miles in the same amount of time."

The miles covered in a half-marathon are the same for all runners.  So, as I am training for my next half-marathon, not only should I concentrate on my distance, I should concentrate on the time it takes to run a half and train accordingly.  There is a direct correlation between the amount of effort and the increased possibility of injury and longer recovery time from a long run.  I am a slower runner - working my way toward a 9:30 min/mile pace.  To avoid injury I have to get my body accustomed to running for a longer time.  That means a longer time commitment.  

I hear people say that you can run a half-marathon even if your long run is only 10 miles.  I disagree.  If you are a slower runner, that extra 3 miles can be a killer.  At a 10 min/mile pace that's an extra 30 minutes of running.  If your body is not used to it, it will not be a fun 30 minutes.  The same is true if you are running a 5K or a 10K.  If you don't get your body accustomed to running more than the 3.1 miles, or 6.2 miles - the final miles on race day are literally going to suck because your body isn't prepared to exert that effort for a longer period of time.

There are also several other articles on this link that I found very interesting.  
Happy Reading!!!

Did you get your 5 miles in yet today?  If not...................

GET OUT THERE!!!  You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 184

This month's healthy July challenge includes flossing every day.  I'll admit that this is something that I forget to do, so this month I am going to make a conscious effort to do so.  I found an interesting article and thought I'd share.

Is Water Flossing Better Than String Flossing?

The future of healthy gums?

By Steven Lin, DDS | Reviewed by a board-certified physician

Updated May 23, 2017  

Did you run your 5 miles yet today?  If not ....................find time to do so!!!

Now, GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 183

Celebrating the 4th of July today

Independence Day!!!

The Story of the Fourth of July

(article link - ConstitutionFacts.com)

A lot of people make a big deal of this day with fireworks, backyard bar-b-que, parades, festivals, and enjoying the day off from work (in the middle of the week).  We are surrounded by wheat fields, so don't shoot off fireworks at our place because of fire danger.  It would be a sad day indeed if our celebration caused our year's income to go up in smoke.  We do take time out from farm work to attend a festival in a near by town.  

Did you log your 5 miles today???

Now, GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!   (Today being the 4th of July is no excuse!)

  

2017 miles Day 182

Monday's get ready, get set ......................GO!!!
July is going to be streak month.  The challenge is to run at least 5 miles every day this month.   Speed is irrelevant, it's the distance covered that matters.  This is doable.  Some days are going to be a schedule challenge, but You will make it happen.  The question:  Can I run 10 one day and then skip a day?  The answer is NO.  This is Streak Month.  The goal is to log 5 miles Every Day.  The question:  Do I have to run the 5 miles all at once?  The answer is NO.  If scheduling makes it tough to get in 5 miles, then break it into chunks.  The important thing this month is to log at least 5 miles every day.  There is no "banking" miles this month.

There - You've made the commitment.  Continue to make smart beverage choices, eat real food, don't forget to exercise your entire trinity.  And............. floss every day!!!

Now, GET OUT THERE............You have work to do!!!



 

2017 miles Day 181

Started working on a painting commission for a cousin.  She recently retired and wanted a piece to reflect her new life of following a path not often taken.  Here is my progress so far.  The sky is just about finished with the exception of some sun rays coming down from the top left illuminating the path.  Also need to add native plants and grasses to the foreground - maybe some yucca on the bottom right for balance.....???

There is a place like this not far from my house.  I've run there a couple of times, but the fear of rattlesnakes has kept me away during the warm weeks of summer.  It's a beautiful - see nothing forever kinda place.  There isn't much obscuring the landscape.

Enjoy your week.  Make a list of your get-to-dos.  Include a run/walk every day.  It doesn't have to be long, but at least 20 minutes.  Also include on your list something special that You will do for You.

Have a Spectacular Sunday!!!

2017 miles Day 180

July 1st, the beginning of a new month in this 2017 year.  This month watch a sunrise - at least once, and floss every day.  Also keep up your exercise regimen.  Maybe June was full of pot-holes and set backs.  Maybe June was full of I'm tired, I'm not getting anywhere, I'm ready to just throw in the towel.  Well, you can throw in the towel or use it to wipe the sweat off your face.  This is the mid-year downer.  The newness of the year has long worn off.  Your excitement of logging miles stopped being exciting.  You fell into old traps and sabotaged your happiness.  You are human.  You are not perfect.  You are in charge of You.  Every day brings the promises of a new beginning.  Wipe the slate clean.  The second half of this 2017 mile journey is just beginning.  Take time to regroup, rejuvenate, and reset.  Set goals for this coming week.  Write them down.  Make a commitment to You to stay strong.  You are in charge of You.

And so, to begin this month of July, I leave you with a message from Tony Garcia from his book Wanna Know a Truth, pg 247

What if?
What if, just for today, you understood your immense power and vastness?
How would that change what you believed you could accomplish?

What if, just for today, you knew what an agent of change and calming influence you are?
How would that change how you handled the struggles of the day?

What if, just for today, you realized your incredible beauty and depth?
How would that change how you view yourself?

What if, just for today, you saw yourself as a miracle?
How would that change how you allowed others to treat you and how you treat yourself?

Powerful and vast.

Capable of change.

Calm.

Beautiful and deep.

A miracle.

What if, just for today, you simply believed?