What a Difference a Year Makes!

It's hard to believe that I've been running for a year!  Little did I know at this time last year that the novel activity I accidentally tried would become an important and positive part of my life.  This one year milestone caused me to think about why something I'd never considered embracing would make such a difference.  There are so many positives including:

• Open to new activities and ways of thinking
• Influenced by positive role models
• Focused on health
• Balancing active and busy
• Setting and achieving a fitness goal 
• Enjoying the outdoors
• Seeing neighbors
• Don't have to schedule it, able to just lock the door and start the route on my time frame
• Time to think and pray without distractions

For Better and Everything Else

I'm wonderfully blessed that my marvelous parents celebrated their 57th anniversary yesterday!  They have been role models for countless others and me.  Their love, inspiration, perseverance, counsel, advice, humor, empathy, tenacity, grit, determination and loyalty have made their journey memorable and inspirational.

Stronger Every Day

I've had the good fortune to be healthy, so I've not experienced the daily strengthening accomplishments that one recovering from an illness or surgery might.

My acknowledgement of daily improvements in strength have occurred today and the previous 4 days.  When I first (unintentionally) ran on Saturday, I told my friend that I'd have to walk the rest of the route after the first mile.   When a non-runner unexpectedly runs a mile, it's a cool accomplishment. 

Those who know me well, are not surprised that I followed Saturday's 1 mile run with another on Sunday.  Not surprisingly, Sunday's run was harder without my running buddy setting the pace and providing wonderful conversation to distract from the running task.

Sore muscles prompted me to consult my daughter, who is a long-time runner to decide whether to rest or run on Monday.  I opted to run 1.5 miles.  This good decision led to 2 mile runs Tuesday and today. 

An additional unexpected benefit from this experience is the distinctive realization that I am getting stronger each day.

Never Invisible

Mama never leaves home without makeup and dressed appropriately.  She's a terrific role model for always putting your best self forward.  My exception to Mama's example is early morning exercise.  It doesn't seem practical to put on makeup before hitting the streets and sidewalks, then jumping into the shower as soon as I return.  Though I've encountered many neighbors and other unexpected friends on these outings, because I am actually dressed for the project I'm undertaking, I don't feel self-conscious.  Unlike Harry Potter, we can't just don our invisibility cloak when we don't want to be seen, so we must choose the image we project each time we leave home. 

Role Models in the Halls

Yesterday I had the chance to spend 10 unexpected minutes with the CEO of a major publicly traded corporation.  He was gracious, engaged and seemingly unaware of his other back-to-back appointments.  While we were visiting, it was as if ours was one of the many important appointments he had scheduled during the day. 

I often feel that I am racing from one appointment to another, happy to arrive on time to each. This CEO, who took the time to totally engage in a meaningful conversation in the midst of a crazy, busy schedule, has unintentionally served as a role model.  The role model lesson I learned was when golden opportunities arise, don't rush past the potential experience.

Happy Birthday Mama

In so many ways I am the luckiest person on the planet.  My wonderfully supportive parents have been married for 54 years.  They raised me in a Christian home, inspiring my brothers and me to always do our best, be our best, pursue our passions and treat others as we would like to be treated. 

As I've indicated so many times, Mama, is an incredible spouse, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, role model and advisor.

Mama is the person so many of us aspire to be. 

Happy, Happy Birthday to my role model!

All my love,
Pam

Elite Achievement

Olympic athletes are inspiring on so many levels.  Their mastery of their sport combined with passion, composure, perseverance, discipline and the desire to excel sets standards which would lead to success when applied to any field.  These 2,632 men and women competing in Vancouver represent elite achievement.  As we watch the best of the best compete in 15 winter sports events we are reminded just how important one second can be. 

How marvelous it will be if we all catch Olympic fever from these performance role models, and re-commit to being the best in our chosen endeavors.