Back to basics....

My many remakings are remarkable in their own way. Each, to varying degrees, includes body, mind, and spirit. Each requires being proactive, rather than reactive.

Running always provides the necessary rubric. Running enables me to: regroup; renew; rework; reorganize; remember; and reenergize.

Running is not static; it requires constant movement. So too do I. Running is my restorative.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Taking control

Remembering to think about what I can control and what I cant't control is key to my current success.      There's so much I can't control, and I need to let that go.  Instead, I need to focus and act on what I can control.  To that end, I had limited control over my schedule today, which was devoted primarily to the little league opening day.  Mid afternoon, however, I took control and went for a 3 mile run outside.  As a result, tonight is better....  I am more at peace.  Even better is that I had a successful run....  I ran rather fast, for me anyway, and felt great.

 I have been fighting aches and pains.  I think I need to run them out of my body, literally.  I am feeling better physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Contributing to those feelings is the grateful fact  that I actually slept 6 hours straight the past 2 nights.  That hasn't happened for as long as I can remember....

We'll see what comes my way, but I am better prepared thanks to Thursday's and today's runs outside.      Lest I forget how my runs benefited from my Nike+ running app and the music on my iPhone!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Let nature nurture

Times have been tough for me, and so much tougher for so many others. Tonight, as I sit under a tree outside during my son's soccer practice, I will let nature nurture me. The rock wall intrigues me....

Though I have been walking and going to the gym, it has been weeks since I ran outside. Today, I decided it was too long. I laced up and ran a slow 3 miles. My to do list remains a daunting mess, but tonight I am more at peace because I am letting nature nurture me.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Sandwich Sunday - mixed emotions

I am so grateful to have my sandwich Sundays, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.  However, these days take a lot out of me; my emotions run wild. 

Sometimes, I leave my Mom eating her dinner by herself so that I can get home to eat dinner with my Son.  My heart breaks just a little bit every time I leave her.  I want to stay, but I have to leave.  At least I get to see her, and to spend time with her.  Now that she's about 6 weeks away from her 93rd birthday, each time I leave, a part of me wonders what the next chapter in her life will be....

My Son likes to stay up late Friday and Saturday nights, so getting him to settle down on Sunday nights is challenging.  I often feel that I don't spend enough time with him on Sunday, which causes my heart to break just a little bit.

As I left my Mom's house and my Son's room at the end of my time with them today, each told me that they love me.  The tears of sadness turn to tears of happiness, and my heart heals a little bit more....

mind murmur - marathon weekend and more....


It's Boston marathon race weekend. Though it was 14 years ago that I ran Boston, I still carry that accomplishment with me. I have written about my marathon before, and I am sure that there's still more to write. For now, I am happy to have the memories close at hand.

The 6 months from 6.2 to 26.2 miles remain as a reminder of what is possible. Every once and a while I think about doing another marathon. Right now, though, the timing is not right.

My focus is elsewhere, and my running is not as predominant as I know it would need to be for another successful marathon.  I’m glad that I fit in a half marathon in 2012; that will satisfy my race wanderlust for now.  Currently, my focus for 2013 is to position myself as best as possible for turning 50 in early 2014.  That age would put me in a new race age group, and, oh, what possibilities might await….

Currently, I am thinking about judging and being judged.  It’s a takeaway for me, one of many in fact, having read Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In.  Also, recent events in my life have brought this issue to the forefront. 

We live by, and sometimes in spite of, decisions we make.  Support for those decisions is critical.  If today’s decision turns out not to be right or good for whatever reason, we can make another decision tomorrow.  It’s okay.  We should be able to do that with confidence.  
     

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Mind murmur

The trick is to find the treasure.... 

 
 
 
In part, the the Merriam-Webster definition is, wealth of any kind or in any form.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Pump up the pleasure

Doing things that need to be done move forward faster when you pump up the pleasure. For example, sitting through my Son's baseball practice is better when I read on my Kindle, catch up with the news on my iPad, and get organized with Evernote.

So much of what I do is digital, but I still love my paper products. Pads of paper abound, and Moleskine matters. Lest I forget the Sharpie products that make everything more fun.

Where does the stuff get done? More space would be wonderful, but sometimes working with less is more.... Working with what is works well.

Presently, I am posturing to produce a few projects.  I am setting up and dedicating spaces I have to accommodate and accomplish.  The tedium of the details turns to total satisfaction when the pleasure of the project is pumped up!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Challenging time and choices

It's a challenge to manage time and choices.  Choices can be challenging.  Today was filled with time management choices.

It was a long day, and I am exhausted.  There's still more to do, but I am comforted in knowing that I did what was best for me today.  I worked well. I accomplished action items.  We had family dinner.  I stayed calm when my Son's emotions didn't.  I made decisions.  I worked out at the gym.  I enjoyed the outside during my dog walk. I called my Mom.

There's probably tons of things that I didn't do, but I choose not to think about or focus on them.


Monday, April 8, 2013

Putting it into perspective

At times, I find myself comparing what I am doing to what others are doing, e.g., wondering what more I could be doing to better myself, my family, and my community (for the sake of my sanity, I stay away from thinking beyond).

Thankfully, I am able to put things into perspective to understand that we all need to do what works at any given time, knowing that reevaluation is worthwhile.

Processing yesterday's sandwich Sunday permits perspective.

I am growing a boy, caring for an elderly mom, nurturing a marriage and home, being part of an extended family, staying reasonably fit and healthy, and working a full-time rewarding, challenging, and busy job.  Every day includes tending to each of these aspects in some way.  Though my actions are limited, their implications are boundless.

For now, theses are enough.  In fact, sometimes they are way more than enough, but....  Presently, I don't need to do more, and I will take comfort in feeling that what I am doing right now is enough for me.

With that in mind, I am ready to face what promises to be a busy week.  Bring it....

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Satisfying Saturday

Family game night with Yahtzee while watching the Final Four. Lots was done today, and lots was left undone. I am glad to have gotten some grocery shopping done that should make the upcoming week easier.

Thankfully, I rewarded myself with a run outside. It had been too long since I had done that. Once again, I was reminded how important running outside is to my overall well being.

Words of wonder today:  time and choices.  I am amazed how much these words matter.

So far, April has been revealing itself to be better than March, which was devoted to unexpected developments.  The month began with stitches for my Son and a fall for my Mom.  Fortunately, both were manageable.   They did, however, change the month's details.  March ended with Easter, which was an overall success, though rather hectic. 

I have been way too busy with I am not sure what....  I am spending some time figuring things out, including myself.  At times, I am convinced that I have too many interests.  There's not time for all of them; choices control what happens with the interests, including how much time is assigned to each....

My remakings continue to be remarkable.  Sometimes they are overwhelming, but overall, I am grateful for them; they keep life intersesting, and keep me wanting more of so much.