Inspiration

People have always asked me when I’m going to do a triathlon or marathon which always leaves me laughing.  I’ve mentioned before that I’m not really a swimmer and while I classify myself as a runner, my best distance is just over 6.5 miles.  With asthma and bad knees, I’ve never really felt that long distances were achievable or maybe the best decision for me.

This past weekend, there was the Savannah Marathon and the New York Marathon and reading about so many runners training, competing and finishing the marathon has left me feeling a little envious.  I want that high. I want that adrenaline rush.  I want that accomplishment.

I’ve mentioned how I’m training for the 10k at the beginning of December and I’m crossing my fingers all of my current health stuff doesn’t keep me from being able to compete.  It would be my first “race” with the goal to finish and say I’ve done a race, as well as getting more comfortable with that distance.

But after the envy of this weekends races, I want to look ahead and figure out how I can continue to develop myself as a runner and push my limits, while still staying within my means.  So I’m now toying with the idea of running a 1/2 marathon sometime next year.  I’d work really hard to find the proper training plan so as to not hurt my lungs or knee (or any other part of my body for that matter) but I’m feeling inspired to keep pushing forward.

The pain radiates through my body worse everyday and it’s hard to not let it get to me; it’s hard to not worry about all the worst case scenarios and what the next several months of my life could like (believe me, my imagination has gone wild and it hasn’t been pretty!).  With that, I have to do what I can to distract myself and set goals that get me excited.  

I couldn’t be more grateful for the inspiration that came over me this weekend.

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**After reading my good friend’s blog the other evening, she decided that for the month of November, she’s posting something she’s grateful for; something as simple as a picture or quote or possibly something lengthy.  In the month that we come together and share what we’re grateful and thankful for, there seems to be no better way.  And it’s with that that I have decided to join her.  Will you join us? #gratefulseason

You Are Beautiful

Beauty: a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form that please the aesthetic sense, especially the sight; a combination of qualities that please the intellect or moral sense.

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

And at the end of the day, we all just want to feel beautiful - on the inside and out.

As I was at the gym the other day, I went to put my purse in a locker and this sticker inside the locker caught my eye.  While I know this sticker is old, I love the whole idea of Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty and their consistent work to improve self esteem in young girls.  But even as we get older we need just as much of a reminder that we are beautiful as we are, as we needed when we were younger.  Sometimes, I feel like I need that reminder more now.

When I’m good about what I eat, getting adequate sleep and exercise, and don’t completely overwork myself, those tend to be the weeks when I feel the most beautiful.  In fact earlier this week I even tweeted how I felt pretty.  And quite honestly, I had a few days this week where I could have repeated that tweet.  Do you know how good that feels?

I know I won’t feel this way every day of every week, but I’m going to hold onto this feeling for as long as I can and I hope you do the same.  Go to bed a bit earlier tonight. Wash the makeup off your face.  Buy a new shirt or pair of shoes.  Whatever will make you feel beautiful in your already beautiful skin.  Because y’know what?  

You are beautiful.

What makes you feel beautiful?

time to work on my game plan

We’ve always seen Steve Jobs as a visionary and a man who made a strong, powerful and positive impact on the world.  And you don’t have to be a Steve Jobs or Apple “fan” to see that.  

My whole life, I’ve thought about how I wanted to make an impact but it’s always about finding the way that works for you, that allows you to follow your passion.  It allows the work you do on a daily basis, to not feel like work. 

Since Steve’s passing, I’ve been reminded even more of my desire to leave behind a strong footprint.  It doesn’t have to be on such a global level as Steve, but I do want to leave behind a positive impact.

After a really amazing and inspiring day yesterday and time with friends to refuel, I went to sleep with this thought: 

i have a strong desire to make a positive imprint on the world. time to work on my game plan.

I posted it on Facebook and Twitter and I’ve been getting an amazing response.  Quite honestly, I think it’s something most people want out of their lives.  We want to be remembered for the good and amazing things we’ve done in our lifetimes, however long or short.

As I was finishing my breakfast and coffee this morning, I pulled up my horoscope on Yahoo Shine and while fitting, this one really seemed perfect:

I don’t care whether you believe strongly in Astrology, follow it for fun or think it’s just a load of crazy talk, but I personally love to see the way these sorts of things align with what’s going on in my life.  And this morning, this was screaming at me that this is my go time.  It’s time to take the lead and put my plans to paper and figure out just what I want to happen and the best path to get there.

I have the drive, determination and perseverance to make whatever I want happen!

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I have the knowledge and resources to overcome obstacles as they present themselves.

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I have supporting friends and family (and readers) to see me through the inevitable rough days.

I have the passion, inspiration and strength to put myself out there and come out on top, no matter what anyone else says.

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Remember, I am strong!

Finding Your Inspiration

Some people would call me crazy.  I had a job in the music industry that I really did enjoy but I chose to leave.  The company was awesome, my bosses and coworker were awesome and our clients were awesome.  So why would I leave?

To this day, I’m not sure anyone at the company truly understands how difficult of a decision it was for me to leave.  But it was something that I had to do.  I was feeling myself burning out quickly between working at Apple and managing bands.  I knew that if I kept at the same pace I was going, it wasn’t going to be pretty.  So I had to make a decision.  A decision that to this day, I have not regretted despite losing The Lumineers only a few months after.

The thought was to have one job that could pay my bills while pursuing my ultimate career goal - managing bands.  After losing The Lumineers in March, I’ve had to pull myself out of that heartache and get back on my feet ready to move forward.  And several times I’ve fallen over realizing I wasn’t yet ready to make that move, despite thinking I could.

I realize sometimes it’s not a matter of being ready but finding the right inspiration to keep you pushing through the negative thoughts that begin to fill your mind when times are tough.  And maybe it’s about finding your “partner in crime” instead of pushing at it alone.  Who wants to go about anything tough all by themselves?  And I’m not talking about my future husband, that will come in time.  I’m talking about finding my business partner!  It’s going to happen.  You watch and see.

I’m feeling the inspiration beginning to flow through my body again and as I drank my coffee this morning, I let it start taking affect as I begin the process of moving my blog to my own domain.  It’s not ready, so don’t leave me here just yet but if you want a sneak peak....

I’m off to RUN! 

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