10 Days Remain
Nothing happens at 40. I realized today, that not a single door opens up at 40. Sure, 40 sounds cool and I might get some extra respect, but my birthday doesn't entitle me to anything cool. Dang it!
At 16 you get your drivers license. The world of transportation unfolds before you. It's almost as if you've discovered the power of teleporting. Amazing. (Actually, I didn't want to get a license. Still hate to drive.)
At 18 you're kind of an adult. You can vote, sue or be sued, serve on a jury, buy smokes, buy fireworks, get married (please don't), leave home, get a tattoo, and a bunch of other junk. Endless possibilities. Endless......
21 was the best year ever as you are legal to drink! Quite possibly the most celebrated of major birthdays.
At 25 you can rent a car. Not bad.
Feel like running for president? Wait until your 35th birthday.
You can join AARP at 50. Yet, I get their mailings......
62 you can get Social Security benefits.
You'll get your Senior Citizen discount at 65, although you might get it earlier because they don't usually card.
Where are the world of possibilities for 40 year olds? Perhaps every 40 year old should get a check for a portion of the unemployment they never applied for or a bonus if you never used public assistance, get a one-time, penalty-free withdrawl from their retirement account (within reason), parking spots next to the "Parking for Expecting Mom's" spots, discounts at the gym (let's face it, we need it more), or free popcorn at the movies just for that year.
Seriously, if you're a business owner or a legislator, consider implementing a "Forty is Awesome Bonus". You'd make a bunch of people happy. Just a thought.
Sep 30, 2013
Sep 29, 2013
I Made it Out!
11 Days Remain
Looking back over the last 40 years, I find that I am often amazed at the things I've overcome. Now, I'm starting to accomplish things that I never would have guessed I could do. Finally!
We've all been told at one time or another to write down your accomplishments. I've never really done that. I've kept mental notes, but I have trouble "tooting my own horn".....even in a private journal. In addition, I'm not really sure I've accomplished much (yet), but I know I've overcome many things and its about time I counted those.
Today, I had a lot of time to think about this on my 20 mile run. Yes, 20. I started out uncertain and slow, built up speed and consistent pace, and clawed my way to the end. It certainly wasn't easy, but when I finished, 2 thoughts ran through my head: "That wasn't that big of a deal." "What else can I do?"
Tonight, I'll pat myself on the back for being strong enough. Strong enough, to overcome things I wish hadn't been thrown at me. Strong enough to accomplish a few things I always wanted for myself. Here are a few:
- I survived being the chubby kid my entire elementary career. Boy, did I hear about it too. Don't under estimate the damage this can do to a kid. I still have a sense of humor and feel pretty good about myself. I made it out!! YES!
- My last year of high school was torture. I felt abandoned and completely helpless. It's nearly impossible to change your course and make things better for yourself when you're still not an adult. Slow and steady, I kept going and made it out, again!
- College. Yep, I finished. I even went part-time my last term because I had more than enough credits. I worked hard outside of school too; more than most of my friends. Sometimes I wondered if it was worth it. It was. Even though I'm just now paying off my student loans.
- I recognized that I could have better and do better so I left a marriage that did not serve me at all. I take care of my guys and I do all the things a mom does and many things a dad usually does. PS My life is way more awesome.
- Last year I decided to change careers. It was so hard financially. Then add in my worry that I was completely wrong about my abilities. Plus a little judgement from a few people that I didn't think would be critical. It's a year later and I didn't borrow money from anyone and I'm making progress! Slow, yes....but worth it. Boom!
- AND now..... running farther than I ever thought possible. 20 miles today. 26.2 on October 20th. YAY!
Sep 27, 2013
Going Home
13 Days Remain
I'm planning an escape for my 40th birthday. A small group of us are headed to South Dakota for peace, exploration, adventure, and hopefully some surprises. It's probably one of the most sacred places I've experienced. Beauty and mystery. Yes, South Dakota!
My job this week is to identify a place to stay the first night of the trip; my day of birth. We know we want to travel through both South Dakota and Nebraska but we're not sure which route we take out and which to take back. My instinct is to revisit my birth state (NE) first. Perhaps I'm hoping for some intense spiritual experience when I return there.
I spent my earliest days in a little town called Rosalie. It is part of the Omaha Indian Reservation, yet I never fully understood or honored the diversity of growing up in such a unique place. As an adult, I am drawn to the Native American culture and traditions. I frequently wonder if I missed something important when I lived there. I feel like the landscape is in my DNA; subtle yet full of mystery. This little town will likely have a few visitors on October 10th.
This won't be an over night stop for 2 reasons. 1. Rosalie is a town of about 100 people so no motels, hotels, or camping. 2. I would likely run into my cousins, Angie and Kellie, and drink too much at the former Silver Fox Bar. Sorry, I need to get to South Dakota, ladies!
So, first stop, might be Niobrara Nebraska. A small town on the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers with a handful of cheap motels and a casino. I haven't been there but I understand it's beautiful landscape. Is this how I want to spend my Birthday though? I'm not convinced.
Maybe, Valentine Nebraska! Delicious landscape, waterfalls, parks, and a name that screams, "Love". Let's face it, the holiday itself has become a guilt trip to buy the best junk you can for some one you kinda like or want to get to know better. I've always been disappointed with that holiday. I think it all started in high school when my mom would send balloons while my friends all got stuff from their boyfriends. (Love you mom) Then, my oldest son was born on Valentine's Day so we don't speak of the holiday in his presence. I've always wanted a Valentine's Day. So, maybe a day in Valentine will suffice. Why not on my 40th Birthday?
So tonight I will plan for all things wonderful on this 6 day trip. Most of all, I hope to see old landscapes with new eyes.
Act of Kindness: I gave a very negative person a chance to talk. I thought I was going to tear up at one point, because it was such a downer. I just felt that he needed someone to listen. I did and I only responded positively. He doesn't read this...... It's amazing how draining this can be. Friends, surround yourself with positive people.
I'm planning an escape for my 40th birthday. A small group of us are headed to South Dakota for peace, exploration, adventure, and hopefully some surprises. It's probably one of the most sacred places I've experienced. Beauty and mystery. Yes, South Dakota!
My job this week is to identify a place to stay the first night of the trip; my day of birth. We know we want to travel through both South Dakota and Nebraska but we're not sure which route we take out and which to take back. My instinct is to revisit my birth state (NE) first. Perhaps I'm hoping for some intense spiritual experience when I return there.
I spent my earliest days in a little town called Rosalie. It is part of the Omaha Indian Reservation, yet I never fully understood or honored the diversity of growing up in such a unique place. As an adult, I am drawn to the Native American culture and traditions. I frequently wonder if I missed something important when I lived there. I feel like the landscape is in my DNA; subtle yet full of mystery. This little town will likely have a few visitors on October 10th.
This won't be an over night stop for 2 reasons. 1. Rosalie is a town of about 100 people so no motels, hotels, or camping. 2. I would likely run into my cousins, Angie and Kellie, and drink too much at the former Silver Fox Bar. Sorry, I need to get to South Dakota, ladies!
So, first stop, might be Niobrara Nebraska. A small town on the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers with a handful of cheap motels and a casino. I haven't been there but I understand it's beautiful landscape. Is this how I want to spend my Birthday though? I'm not convinced.
Maybe, Valentine Nebraska! Delicious landscape, waterfalls, parks, and a name that screams, "Love". Let's face it, the holiday itself has become a guilt trip to buy the best junk you can for some one you kinda like or want to get to know better. I've always been disappointed with that holiday. I think it all started in high school when my mom would send balloons while my friends all got stuff from their boyfriends. (Love you mom) Then, my oldest son was born on Valentine's Day so we don't speak of the holiday in his presence. I've always wanted a Valentine's Day. So, maybe a day in Valentine will suffice. Why not on my 40th Birthday?
So tonight I will plan for all things wonderful on this 6 day trip. Most of all, I hope to see old landscapes with new eyes.
Act of Kindness: I gave a very negative person a chance to talk. I thought I was going to tear up at one point, because it was such a downer. I just felt that he needed someone to listen. I did and I only responded positively. He doesn't read this...... It's amazing how draining this can be. Friends, surround yourself with positive people.
Sep 26, 2013
The Law of Attraction at it's Best
14 Days Remain
Here's another super secret I like to keep. I'm really competitive. It might not seem like it and here's why: If I'm not certain that there's a good chance that I'll win, I won't play. Sometimes I "play" and I lose (this happens more than I like) and I pretend it's no big deal and I fret over it. I might let it go by the next time I'm successful or I might think about it for the rest of my life. Ugh....I'm working on it....
I bring this up because a funny thing happened when performing my random acts of kindness. Good things started to happen to me. ME! Other people started to do good too! What??!! Suddenly, I am in the middle of Level 2 Random Acts of Kindess. Was I being out done? Beat to the punch?
The day I began, my sister started posting lovely facts about me on Facebook. A new friend paid attention to my needs and helped me out without asking! I got a lovely thank you card from a person that I "RAKed". Brilliant! Finally, today when I was about to do my best RAK, I was outdone by a teenager on a BMX bike! Unbelievable! I was driving and saw an elderly woman fall off a bench so I tore in to a parking lot and was about to rescue her when the little punk got to her first!
In all seriousness, I am super pumped that this little experiment is taking off. I was shocked at first, wishing I could be the best, most super-awesome Random Act of Kindness-er. But in the end, I truly believe that seeing through new eyes this month has attracted all kinds of goodness to me and to others around me.
I love that people are being kind to each other. Today, all acts of kindness were completed for me. I didn't have to go out of my way to do anything. Smiling and being loving was all I needed to do. Thanks for giving me a day off, my friends! And way to go, punk on the bike! That was pretty swell.
Here's another super secret I like to keep. I'm really competitive. It might not seem like it and here's why: If I'm not certain that there's a good chance that I'll win, I won't play. Sometimes I "play" and I lose (this happens more than I like) and I pretend it's no big deal and I fret over it. I might let it go by the next time I'm successful or I might think about it for the rest of my life. Ugh....I'm working on it....
I bring this up because a funny thing happened when performing my random acts of kindness. Good things started to happen to me. ME! Other people started to do good too! What??!! Suddenly, I am in the middle of Level 2 Random Acts of Kindess. Was I being out done? Beat to the punch?
The day I began, my sister started posting lovely facts about me on Facebook. A new friend paid attention to my needs and helped me out without asking! I got a lovely thank you card from a person that I "RAKed". Brilliant! Finally, today when I was about to do my best RAK, I was outdone by a teenager on a BMX bike! Unbelievable! I was driving and saw an elderly woman fall off a bench so I tore in to a parking lot and was about to rescue her when the little punk got to her first!
In all seriousness, I am super pumped that this little experiment is taking off. I was shocked at first, wishing I could be the best, most super-awesome Random Act of Kindness-er. But in the end, I truly believe that seeing through new eyes this month has attracted all kinds of goodness to me and to others around me.
I love that people are being kind to each other. Today, all acts of kindness were completed for me. I didn't have to go out of my way to do anything. Smiling and being loving was all I needed to do. Thanks for giving me a day off, my friends! And way to go, punk on the bike! That was pretty swell.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)