Promise for the Upcoming Week

I have been thinking about the word “Simple” today. Life should be simple. Relationships should be simple. So, why is it that I find myself feeling like life and relationships are not simple?

Today I decided to focus on something fun. My friend Katie Orse uses a journal for her business and creative thoughts. If you are looking for a journal check out Katie’s website . There you will find great handmade journals. I decided not to buy one (yet) so I created one today. I want to make sure I will use a journal. I do not want my journal to become a chore. If it works out I have my eye on the Liz journal with the lime green flower.

My Journal is tabbed with areas for things that are important in my life: faith, simple, running, creativity, and leadership.

This week I am also going to try a new schedule. Instead of getting up early to run – I am going to work online (nursing students) before heading to the hospital. I am taking cloths so that I can lift some weights at lunch. When I get home in the evenings a bike ride or a run will be first on my list. Of course my day will end with puppy therapy.

My promise for this upcoming week – keep it simple. Focus on what is important.
Have a Graet Week ~

Breathe in and out - I can do this!

My Word for 2011 is Simple – Life is simple. We (people) make it complicated. The very basics of living– breathe in and out, eats, sleep, and live by the golden rule. The plan was for each of us to live our lives making a difference in someone else’s life.


Every day I strive to follow these four simple steps. I ran Wednesday and had planned to run on Thursday, but I did not get home till after 10 PM from the charitable health clinic. I had two classes to check-in. So – running did not happen.

Friday started out behind. I overslept and was late getting to the local radio station to talk about the upcoming Wild Turkey Foundation banquet. I did make – but I hate being late.

Home early form work – so running can happen tonight. Only 31 days till Little Rock ~ now I am starting to have second thoughts – what if I can’t finish the race? What if I am the last to cross the finish line?

Breathe in and out – keep it simple ~ I can do this!

I came home from work and took a nap. I graded papers and now it is bed time. I miss feeling energized. I miss feeling in control. I miss feeling my muscles stretch and contract with movement. I want to feel the fresh air deep in my lungs – even if I am gasping for air.


Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it (Lily Tomlin)

Once again I sit here writing about energy, control, and feeling great. Yes, I know for weeks I have posted about being in control. It is all up to me.

It is up to me? Well, this me is down to 40 days to prepare for the Little Rock Half Marathon.

The number forty is used by God to represent a period of testing or judgment (the length of time necessary to accomplish some major part of Gods plan in his dealings with various portions of mankind). The 40 days of rain in the days of the flood were the judgments of God. The 40 day periods of fasting, testing, and communing with God that were faced by Moses and Jesus were a form of God's judgments.

Ok – Tomorrow starts my 40 days. Can I be dedicated? Can I find the strength? Can I find the motivation?

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking (H.L. Mencken).

The Ramblings Of A Not So Dedicated Runner

The ramblings of a not so dedicated runner – overslept today. I thought I would get at the least 20 minutes on the treadmill before work this morning – that did not happen. So, why not? I am the only person who has the ability to control my schedule and my behavior.


I found a saying the other day - “For many people, one of the most frustrating aspects of life is not being able to understand other people's behavior.” For me, one of the most frustrating aspects of life is not understanding my own behavior.

Why do I procrastinate – I am not lazy. I just get side tracked. Or do I? Maybe I am overwhelmed. Even as I try to contemplate my life and my actions or inactions the phone is ringing with issues from work.

Wow - Simplifying your life is not easy.

How do you prioritize? According to Stephen Covey “You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage - pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically - to say 'no' to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger 'yes' burning inside. The enemy of the 'best' is often the 'good.' ~

I was flipping through a magazine (Women’s Health) earlier today that said – 38% of women break their resolutions in a month or less. The biggest reason for not sticking with a resolution is a lack of motivation.

Ok – so I have completed all the research. I have downloaded Covey to the Nook . I have stroked the inner fire – I have found my bigger yes ~

I am focused, I am focused, I am focused – keep reading – watch me simplify (and run).

Unfulfilled Potential

Well – I did it, a short run on the treadmill. The shins hurt but everything else felt great. I am living by my new rule – if it is important I have time for it.

Pope John Paul XXIII said “Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tired and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”

What is still possible for me – running a half-marathon in March? My goal is to complete 13.1 – I do not have to be fast - I just have to finish.

I have unfulfilled potential and this is the year to fulfill it.
Living Simply – with my best friend!

Order of Priorities

A lazy Sunday for me – slept late and would have slept later except our boys felt the need to wake us up. Nothing like being woke up by two 27 (yes I said 27 not 7) year-old boys jumping on the end of the bed. Felt a little like old times.
Do you ever wonder why when something is important to you – you cannot find the motivation to get started. I say I do not run because of time issues but I do not think I am being honest with myself. I love running when I do it. I love the way I feel during and after a run. I know that others cannot run for me –

Robert McKain says “set priorities for your goals. A major part of successful living lies in the ability to put first things first. Indeed, the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first.”

Joyce Meyer believes that “wisdom is choosing to do now what we will be happy with later:” That is not always easy because it may require us to sacrifice something we could easily have today for something better we can have tomorrow. For me the things I have today are sleep, time with my husband, or completing work.

There is no point in saying I do not have time for something, because I make time for whatever is important to me. If I am not doing something I can assume it is not a priority for me.

Why do I want running to be important for me? The benefits out-weigh the negatives. How do I make it a priority – Just do it. It is not hard. Keep it simple

 The four-legged children reading my blog

~ Clowie, MeMe, Clinnie and Paco Joe ~

Simply Enjoy the Journey

Ok – you know something is wrong when you do not know what day of the week it is – today I had to ask someone if today was Tuesday or Wednesday. I guess it could be worst. I did not have to ask what my name is!

I am reading a new book – 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life by Joyce Myers. Ms. Myers states “Those who want to enjoy life must learn to enjoy the journey, which is filled with waiting. Eventually, we reach our destination only to begin again on a new journey to another place; therefore to never enjoy the journey is to never enjoy life.”

So does it matter if today is Tuesday or Wednesday? Not really, what matters is I can look back on today and say I did a good job. I can rest tonight knowing that those I love know how much they mean to me. I can feel comfortable knowing that tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to simply live this life full of blessing that I have been given.

Connie

Countdown Started

57 Days to Little Rock - Wow. It is time to seriously work on adding mileage. My Goal is to finish - follow me as I spend the next 57 days keeping it simple focusing on my goal.

Converstaion and Genes Ensure I Am Me

Sunday morning – a hot cup of coffee and computer in hand I am sitting at the kitchen table reflecting on the last couple of days with my family. Focusing on my word – "simple". I realize that relationships are anything but simple. Five adult children, my father, and my sister make a dynamic group.
Dynamics in any group are not simple. We can control only ourselves – we can guide our own thoughts but we have zero control over others – even our own offspring.

 Sometimes I have wondered if I was adopted or found under a cabbage leaf - I have very little in common with my family. But this weekend, I did realize that I share the same genes as my mother and grandmother.

I routinely call a child by the wrong name – example If I am wanting to talk to Jax, I call each child’s name till I get to the correct one – Jeffery, Justin, Chad, Jer Jer, (finally) Jax. – is this a sign of dementia? I do not think so – my grandmother and my mother both called roll till they got the right name.

“It is a wise mother who gives her child roots and wings” Chinese Proverb

 

Running for a future – my athletic genes come from my Dad.

He asked as if surprised - you run? my reply - I try to run. 

His next question - why? my reply - to keep me healthy. 

His next question - how far do you run?  my reply - 2 to 5 miles.

His next question - you are running in a race? my reply - I am focusing on completing a race.

His next question - why?  my reply - because I want to.

His reply - simply shaking his head as if to say "I do not understand".

Some forms of conversation never change ~

So – I am off to run, grade a few papers, and scrapbook memories from this weekend. (Notice I put me first – not work).
Keeping it Simple ~

Wow – where has today gone? It is 11 PM and I am just finishing discussion questions with my students. Of course watching the HOGS play the Sugar Bowl I am sure has had an impact on my time management skills.

Football is really a simple game – move the ball down the field and stop the other team from moving the ball down the field in the other direction.

Again today – the best laid plans of mice and men have been derailed. I find myself not completing everything I want to do. Maybe I want to do too much?
I am off work (no hospital) for 5 days – I have some time to re-evaluate my “to-do-list”. Maybe I will think about my “to-do-list” while trout fishing tomorrow – Not.

Check back tomorrow for the fishing report.

Spring River: Mammoth Springs, AR.

Nothing Simple About Today

Well today did not go simply - I overslept. I did not get a morning run. I did not get to follow my timeline at work to accomplish a few overdue tasks. I forgot I had a clinic board meeting tonight – ran (not literally) to that, then home to chat for two hours with students. Wow – are you tired yet, I am.

So – who created this mess? Me. Who can fix this mess? Me.

How – more organization? More self-control?

Tomorrow is a new day – I am going to try self-control. Alarm set – husband agrees to use size 15 foot to help me out of bed.  Follow me tomorrow to see how self-control equals simplicity.

Simple with Purpose

Today started off, to a late start, with a calmness and organization that is often missing in my mornings. Two quick miles on the treadmill completed, followed by coffee in my study. It is funny how my word “simple” added to this morning.

Before Christmas, I was feeling overwhelmed every time I walked in to my study. Why – the room had become the “catch-all” space. I spent one afternoon throwing out stuff – mostly papers. It is amazing how much I print to read or file because I want to be able to put my hands on it latter. Magazines were another complication.

Also having a plan this morning helped me stay focused on how to spend my time. See I often let obligations dictate my time. Work (full-time nurse admin and part-time nurse faculty), and volunteer (full-time charitable clinic admin and humane society advocate) activities overwhelm my life at times causing chaos.

I have a plan – a simple plan: Run early (I owe this to me), work hard (I owe this to the organization), schedule activities (it is my time – use it wisely).

Eleanor Roosevelt once said “I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on" – neither can I. I can however not run chaotically into the day – but instead move deliberately and with purpose.

Sounds simple – let’s see what next week holds.

What does 2011 hold for me? Simplicity?

My word is simple ~ as in simplify your life. The original plan was simple – the plan begins at birth – we breath in and out. No one tells us to breath, we do not have to purchase something, we do not have to collect anything, and we simply breathe. So 2011 is my year of simple. What made me think of choosing a word for 2011.

I follow Katie Orse’s blog . Katie is choosing a single word for 2011, in keeping with my thoughts on needing to simplify my life I have been using the word simple in my goals even before thinking I need a single word for 2011. Here are the running goals for 2011 posted on RunnersWorld.com before reading Katie’s blog :
The Little Rock Half-Marathon
Run 700 Miles
Simplify My Life

So what other goals are will guide my simple life in 2011:
Listen more
Enjoy the simple things in life (family, friends, health and faith)

Ok – so follow me in 2011 and see how simple works in the hectic life I have created.
Happy New Year
~ Connie ~

Keeping in Touch

Today has been another one of those days when my brain works overtime thinking about life.  My life is busy and filled with many blessing. One of those blessing is the ability to fix things - so how do I slow down life.
1.  Put God First
2.  Focus on what is important (me, family, four-legged babies, and friends).

I could list other rules - but the point of this exercise is to keep life simple.  Live by simple rules.

Everyday is a New Beginnng

Everyday is a new beginning ~ so what is new with me?  Today I came to the realization that I can not fix some things, I should focus on the things I can change - and I can change me.  So - my new goal is to make me a better person.

Every year I start with goals and at the end of the year I beat-up myself over the goals I do not meet - rather than celebrating what I do achieve.  So starting today - I celebrate all that is good and let go of all that is bad.

I will live and love by the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson ~
Enthusiasm is on of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with your might. Put your whole soul into it...stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm ~

I ran 2 miles tonight - felt great, back was good.

Life

Life is good! I can not say that often enough. I have everything I could ever need or want ~ we are at a point in our life where we can help others.

Wonder what changes as we age? When we were young we wanted everything. Now I often think if I win the lottery how I would help others.

Is that a sign I have matured? Is it a sign that I have no needs?

Not sure what it means ~ but it sure feels good.


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Attempting the impossible

Why do I procrastinate? I have great plans...knit a sweater, make a jacket, complete my Christmas scrapbook, run a half- marathon. Christmas is 26 days away and the half-marathon is 5 days away.

Am I prepared ~ no! Can I finish the album, maybe. Can I run a half-marathon, waddle maybe, run it, no.

So how do I change me? Or is it more about how do I put me first? I am the only person who can make the change.

So, here I go ~ making a change.

It is the small things in life that matter

Today has been perfect ~ church, lunch, nap, dinner, and a movie. A short run tonight. What else could a girl ask for?

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Twelve Days

Sometimes I wonder where the day goes - today I wonder where has the last twelve days gone. Excuses are easy to find - house construction gone wrong, delays in putting in the pool, joint commission surveys, blah days, and on and on and on......

Well here I sit, twelve days into my training program and no training has occurred. So now what? - how do I refocus, find my motivation and get moving.

Looking in a mirror helps - I no longer see the runner I felt I had become this time last year - instead I see a middle aged person.

With Memorial Day weekend here, I have three days to get moving. No excuses - just getting running - that is what I am going to do..... this weekend... no turning back.

Starting Over

On of the blessing we often overlook is the ability to start over. In January 2008 I started running - it was about me. Over the past two years I have lost balance in my life. This weekend I picked spending time with my kids over work or volunteer activities. I also bought a treadmill. No excuses now. I can run in the morning and bike in the evenings with my husband.

My husband has become my motivation - he has worked hard and lost 30 pounds. He has encouraged me to sign up for the St. Jude Half-Marathon. So here we go... I am starting over. See one of my goals - below - run 500 miles this year.