Hope Fatih Courage

April, being the fourth month, coincides with the fourth step and the fourth principle, which is courage. So, April is all about courage for me. I dedicate this month to courage. Of all the things that I love about my new life is that I found out that I have more courage than I ever imagined. Today, I have the courage to do things I am afraid to do, to face the darkest truths about myself, to not care what you think of me and to continue even in the face of hatred. However, the greatest courage I have today is that I am not afraid to fail. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? I do it now, even knowing I might fail! I go forward! We Fall and Get Up!

Achieving the Impossible

In May 2002, I turned 40 and my partner gave me a metal desk plaque that said "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" I thought that I would do so many things. I never had the courage, determination or persistence to do all the things I dreamed of doing. Last year around this time, I thought about the four 5K running races I had done and thought "If I had the right training, I could do a marathon?" Maybe the Chicago Marathon. Well, I am not a good runner and continuously injured myself. I started doing triathlons, which are difficult, but still easier for me because I am a better swimmer and cyclist. I was so happy to do the Chicago Triathlon in August 2009. But then, this fall I started to run again. First another 10k, then another 10K, then a 15K on Thanksgiving and then a Half Marathon on December 5, 2009. Then a friend decided not to run the Disney Marathon, so I agreed to run in his place. Today, the weather in Orlando, Florida set record cold temperatures, I but did it. I doubled the farthest distance I ever had run because I applied principles of recovery, I prayed, and I did not really know if I could, but I believed I would...I am just so grateful.

Working on a Dream

"While they were saying among themselves it cannot be done, it was done." - Helen Keller. Today, I am working on a dream. It is easy if we ignore all the nay sayers; however, sometimes the hardest part of accomplishing anything is the voices around us saying we can't or shouldn't or do something fun instead. The worst part is when the voice is in my own head. Focus, Steve! What is really important? Do it!