CHALLENGES

I have decided that there is something within me that rises up and says, "ME, ME, Me!" when a challenge arises. Was I always like that?? I really don't think so. I think as I have gotten older I have gained that "I CAN DO THAT" spirit more each year.
Is that a good thing?? My opinion is YES, because as I consider the challenges I have taken on, have been mainly HEALTH oriented. 
My new favorite montra is:
"DON'T TELL ME THE SKY IS THE LIMIT WHEN THERE ARE FOOTPRINTS ON THE MOON"...Paul Brandt
My first challenge I found on the web sight of my Weight Watchers a couple years ago. A challenge to "get off the couch" and walk 250 miles in 3 months. I turned to my husband and said, "We could do this!!" 
Now there was no prize, no recognition, just the knowledge that "I took the challenge and completed it." Well, that was enough for me, so I ordered pedometers and we began counting steps and miles. 
At the end of that 3 month time, we had logged 500+ miles which was like a WOW factor to my soul!!
I had never thought of myself as an athlete but now I was realizing that my heart held the desire to prove that I could accomplish some pretty cool things.
About that I time I read about a man who had purchased a set of walking sticks and walked ACROSS the U.S. and then inside the boundary of EVERY state in the continental United States. Jim had recently retired and I suggested to him that, "WE CAN DO THAT! Let's walk across the United States."
He was getting a bit worried about my state of mind until I explained that I would buy a MAP of the United States and we would trek it by means of miles logged. THAT sounded do-able and our adventure began. To keep the adventure exciting and to get others involved, I set with my address book and GPS and measured the distance to the homes of family and friends. We made 'virtual' visits to people we had not seen in years!!! We arrived in Erie, PA one evening to 'share a dish of ice cream with our daughter and family!!! :)
It was in the midst of this incredible journey that I signed up for the adventure of a lifetime. I registered in February of 2013 for my first 3Day..60 Mile Walk for Breast Cancer. I had just reached a milestone in my life and took the challenge for several reasons. One being to prove to myself and to show my kids and grandkids that age need NOT be the measure by which your challenges and adventures are planned.
I had lived for years with the complications of having compound fractures in both legs as a teenager and the voices of doctors and others telling me "you can't do that." After an ankle surgery I was now celebrating walking further than I had in years. 
Also 6 years earlier I had come through surgery and radiation as a Cancer survivor. 
I claimed the 3Day as 60 Miles of celebration of life and the ability to walk. Also it was an opportunity to honor and give hope to many others who had fought and won and others who had lost their battles with the big 'C'.
So with a heart filled with THANKSGIVING, I joined approximately 1200 other walkers in Seattle for 60 of the most amazing miles I could have ever walked. The hills rang with the stories, faces were drenched with tears and smiles stretched for miles as hundreds of walkers shared their challenges and nursed their blisters on the trails. Each soul held their individual reason for making the walk.
At the end of the 3 days we walked as a group into a stadium filled with friends and loved ones who had cheered us on and provided words of encouragement and love when needed. It is impossible to voice the emotions and feelings of fulfillment those last few minutes brought to culmination. Suffice for me say that those 3 Days, the weeks of preparation (1100 miles walked) and the hundreds of people I met and stories I learned have change my life forever. 
Let me share with you the one lesson I learned and the LIFETIME CHALLENGE I have given myself and would love to share with you.

"Each day choose to SLOW DOWN for a few moments and LISTEN to that person you find in your life for that moment."

Your life will be enriched beyond measure as you give that small piece of your day to another. 
I would love to hear your story!!

LOOKING FOR A "WINK"

                                                 

44 DAYS AND COUNTING

 I am on countdown for my 3Day Walk and putting in some long days. Todays training called for  a 17 mile trek , on a VERY hot day. Commitment, Motivation, and Determination have become my best friends as of late.

 Even with an early start the sun soon made its debut and the heat began to replace the cool freshness of the morning.

In my last blog I talked about the "Coincidences" or "God Things" of life. My daughter wrote to tell me that in a book she had read, the author spoke of coincidences as being "God Winks". I like that concept and am attempting  to keep my "Coincidence" antenna poised not wanting to miss even one of those 'winks'.  I have not been disappointed!

 Today as the sun began to heat up, and my tummy was suggesting lunch, I told myself that, "I could make my distance" if I turned around before my pre-determined spot.
After a quick "Commitment" scan, I continued to my destination, a consignment store on the south end of town. With a feeling of satisfaction, and anticipation, I went inside to cool down and take a break. After a look around the store I started to leave. "Where are you walking from?"   I had the feeling this was the opening to my daily "wink".

 Turns out the clerk was a cancer survivor with 2 other friends to add to my shirt.(I'm gathering the names of cancer victims to put onto my shirt and walk in honor of their battles)  We chatted for a while and as I left with the promise to "come back and report in" I knew that I had collected my "wink" for today. I walked home with new Motivation and Determination to be true to my Commitment. :)

Oh, yeah, by the way...I arrived home with 16.89 miles on my Runkeeper ...a walk around the house and the full 17 was done. I needed to check the garden anyway :)

It was another opportunity to share a smile with God as I realized how my goal had been met by following the path set before me for the day!

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE!

Commitment is not a word that is foreign to me...I made a commitment 46 years ago to Love, Cherish and Walk Along Side my husband...I made a commitment when our first child was born 44 years ago and to each of those who followed to be the very best Mom I could be. I have made various other commitments to friends, employers and my God that I have endeavored to to keep "to the best of my ability." Sometimes MY ability just isn't good enough and I always know that with prayer and a little faith I can "hang in there".
Four months ago I made a commitment to Walk 60 Miles in 3 days raising money to bring HOPE and HELP to those dealing with Breast Cancer. Never having been an athlete it was going to mean taking HUNDREDS of steps "out of my comfort zone."  Knowing that I was not only taking a challenge for myself  but promising many others to follow through.  I was aware that it would take hours on the trail to make it happen. To me just 'finishing' isn't quite enough..I want to finish strong, walking in honor of all those who have trusted my commitment and believe in me.
My children are always encouraging me to "just do it, Mom!" and I read a quote by Louis E Boone, that stated, "Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have." When I registered for this walk I told my husband, "I really want to leave a legacy for my kids and grandkids that  my MOM and Grandma just DID IT!"
I have had to allow "life to happen" (babies are born,family celebrations continue to happen and the anticipation and joy still abounds. But I will also hold strong to the goal I have set and the commitment I have made.
This commitment has turned into an adventure beyond my wildest dreams with opportunities to listen to stories, share some tears and with a humble heart full of thanksgiving share some hope! Another quote that just really seems to speak to my heart right now came from Whoopi Goldberg..." We're here for a reason. I believe a bit of that reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark." Sometimes breast cancer, a severe injury or lost relationship can put us in a pretty dark place..My desire is that I can "throw a little torch" in that darkness and inspire you to "Step out of your comfort zone" find your faith , and find that challenge that will bring a new commitment to just DO IT!
Walking Strong      Susan G Komen Personal

Overcoming Obstacles

In my personal page I mentioned that I have had several challenges that I would have gladly let pass by had I had a choice. I am going to share a couple of those with you and how I have been able to take the 'lemons' in my life and make the perverbial lemonade. This batch takes 3 lemons with a choice to spin them into something refreshing!!

Lemon #1 

At 5 years of age my brother, home from Korea, had just purchased a "new" car. We lived on a narrow country road and headed to town for some hot dogs to roast in celebration. The nieghbor boy was coming home at the same time. We "met" on a sharp,blind corner which sent me to the hospital with a severe head injury. 

The doctor warned my parents to "not expect much from her" . (The accuracy of his diagnosis is still up for debate in some circles :) 

Lemon #2

As a 17 year old senior in High School I once again was in the wrong place at the wrong time ...and the result was 2 broken legs..compound fractures in each. The doctors the questioned whether I would ever walk again.As you may imagine those injuries have brought a variety of challenges over the years. Finally 5 1/2 years ago I had a surgery which after a very long recovery time has enabled me to walk to my hearts content. 

Lemon #3

Six years ago while in for a routine mammogram they found a "questionable" spot. After all the testing the diagnosis was cancer. I was blessed to have found it early, but was set for surgery and radiation. 

As many of you know the very word CANCER turns your world upside down. All that was 'normal' is looked at through a pink colored lens.
LEMONADE !! 

Now 6 years later while watching a Susan G Komen 3day 60 mile walk commercial, I accepted the challenge.  A few days later I registered and the commitment was made!! Now I am training for the Seattle walk in Sept.. Each mile I walk is in thanksgiving and a CELEBRATION of LIFE and the ABILITY TO WALK!

Nothing is more refreshing and healing  than taking those difficult times in your life and creating a positive memory . Finding something that brings HOPE and HELP to others is a bonus indeed.

Check out my personal page   Susan G Komen 3day Walk