New Beginnings - Absolutely Amazing!

For the past five years, I have chosen a theme for the year using the AA Acronym initially. 2005 was Absolute Adventure; 2006 was Absolute Acceptance; 2007 was Absolute Surrender; 2008 was Absolute Freedom; and 2009 was Absolute Hope. In thinking about 2010, I was going to focus on achievements, but I did not want to emphasize any ego (EGO=Easing God Out) reinforcing prioritites. Still, I have many goals for 2010 and then running yesterday, I heard a song by Seal called "Amazing" and I immediately felt its connection to my heart and my feet. Here are the lyrics:

Everyone says you're amazing- Seal & Samuel
You say you don't know, how to do it now, So you run,It's not that you're bleeding, but you through it now,So you run, so you run,I know that you need it, you can't live alone,So you run, so you run...Everyone says you're amazing

Now that you're clean

Only you know who the real one are, cause you've seen

There is only one question I want to ask, is it healing when you're here Everyone see you're amazing. Does anyone ask you?

If you cry in your sleep and do you feel okay

When you run,Thinking its doomsday, you got to let it go,So you run, so you run...

Pretend you don't see it, that way we can live the lie, when you run...So you run..

Everyone says you're amazing

Now that you're clean Only you know who the real one are, cause you've seen

There is only one question I want to ask, is it healing when, when you're hear

Everyone see you're amazing Does anyone ask you...?

Cause I know that you real, amazing, amazing, amazing...

Everyone says you're amazing

Now that you're clean Only you know who the real ones are, because you've seen

There is only one question I want to ask, is it healing when you're hear
Everyone sees you're amazing

Everyone says amazing

You're amazing(I want you to always feel amazing)

You're amazing(I want you to always feel amazing)

YOU ARE AMAZING!

A Good Head and a Good Heart

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination." - Nelson Mandela. I find this thought incredibly empowering. I know so many people with great intelligence or great compassion, but it is the combination of both that creates the synergy of miracluous power.

The Tsunami of Sadness and Malaise

I have been trying to ward of a tsunami of sadness and malaise by hanging onto a palm tree and wait for it to crash over me and go back out to sea. I am still HOPEFUL because I know God has me best when He has me at his mercy and there is no bad that good does not come of it - No hay mal que por bien no venga es la verdad.

Day of Reconciliation - Forgiveness

Today is National Day of Reconciliation in South Africa. I am reminded of Nelson Mandela's wisdom "If there are dreams about a beautiful Suth Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness." Now, spend 27 years being held captive and then be released ...and forgive your torturers. The only way. A big shout out to all friends in South Africa.

Invictus

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

- William Ernest Henley

Just following the recipe!

Today I prepared cookies for a Christmas Cookie Swap Party. I have never baked cookies before, but I simply followed the instructions. I followed the recipe and they turned out fine. They were not as beautiful as the magazine photos, but they were really nice. That is really an easy secret to life - just follow the instruction!!!

Blessed with Pain

I am blessed to know people in a lot of pain right now: physical pain, emotional pain, financial pain, and legal pain. With everything I have experienced in the last five years - financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, I know when you're down to nothing, God is up to something! Since it is ALWAYS darkest before the dawn, when things seem REALLY bad, I get hopeful because it's not much longer til the miracle arrives!

Abandon Yourself to God

First I was told to ask God for help, then I was told to turn my will and my life over to the care of God. In the end, I was told to "Abandon myself to the care of God as I understood him." I was also told to clean house, clear up the wreckage of my past and give freely of what I have been given. These four duties would set me free. They did.

Malt Liquor in the Morning

This morning I was up at 4:30 to do Boot Camp, then wieght training. Then to Publix. A homeless guy in front of me had a four pack of Malt Liquor at 7:45am. He said he was a heavy drinker and had to chase away the cob webs. I looked in his eyes & told him I understood. I grateful I don't have to be there. I hope I never lose my memory of all the bad and all the good. Neither one is as rich without the other.

Never Give Up Just Before the Miracle

My favorite motto is "Never give up JUST before the Miracle Happens" and I continue to learn its application in small and large ways. In spinning class, in litigaton, in relationships, in everything, I know that preseverance is essential. There is no telling how many miles I have to run while chasing a dream, but I know today not to stop running.

Progress, Not Perfection

I used to want to be perfect at something or not do it. Today, I embrace my imperfection. I just want to grow. I just want to be better than I was yesterday. Last week, I came in second to last in my age group in the 10 mile race. I don't care. I am proud that I did better than I did 2 weeks before that - progress, not perfection. "Day by day, we try to move a little toward God's perfection. So we need not be consumed by maudlin guilt for failure to achieve His likeness and image by Thursday next. Progress is our aim, and His perfection is the beacon, light-years away, that draws us on." Bill W., Letter, 1966. Today is World AIDS Day. I miss my friends that I have lost to this disease and today I honor them.