Sunday, October 7, 2012
The Race
We all have participated at some time or another in races for a good cause, supporting special needs or raising awareness and a hope for a cure. I have done a couple myself. Just yesterday even. I walked the MK5K supporting the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, which provides grants to go towards organizations fighting cancer and violence against women. A good cause for an amazing organization. I love to participate in them, but they are a bit taxing on my body for a couple of days. Surprisingly, I am only sore in a couple of joint areas, but I believe I will mend.
While walking my 5K journey yesterday, I watched the "runners" as they flew by me. I applauded them as they were making the same journey I was. There was a part of me was wishing I was them and able to do that with them. I know I could really apply myself and be just like them in my own way, but I am not there, and not sure I ever will be. I am not a runner...never really have been. But I found that even though I came in among the last of the race/walk participants, the point is that I completed the race. Sure it may have taken me longer, but I was very proud of what I had accomplished. Mary Kay always said "its not about winning the race that matters, it is how you run the race." Well, I walked the race...steady speed...and finished, just like the others.
Sometimes the journey gets long...and hard. It has been for me and my family. But as wounded as I may be...I keep walking...steady speed....
Wonder when the next race is? :)
Sunday, September 16, 2012
The Cactus
Well, I am finally joining the rest of my friends who are "bloggers". I have to say I often thought I would never do anything like this, but look at me now....here I am! I have arrived! :)
I will start with a story that is true and might shed some light on me. Or it might not, but either way I am going to tell it. :) During my last colloquium I attended in Arizona for my Master's program (in counseling), my professor gave each person in the room a little trinket that she felt symbolized each of us, individually. We were given the task to look at the trinket and write down reasons we believe that the professor chose that particular piece for us. My little trinket....a cactus. Now I should preface this a little more by saying we were to dig deeper to our inner selves to find out what about our trinkets resembled us, per our professor. Of course, I came up with that it was tall, could withstand extreme weather, had prickly things (to symbolize the walls/protection that I often put up at times) and provided a source of water for many of the desert animals. I was pretty pleased with my thoughts, but had more time. I thought and thought. I even turned it sideways to make it form a "M" for my name. Hehe. (I will post a picture at a later time). Anyway, the professor then went around the room hearing the other learners' interpretations of themselves in the trinkets and sharing what she felt the trinket said about the learner. She came to me and most of what I had listed was pretty much what she said. But then she asked me to think of another one. I just couldn't think of any other ways that she could think this cactus would describe me. Then she said something that I will always wonder about and be in the back of my mind. She said "when the cactus blooms, it becomes more beautiful than originally thought it could." It really spoke to me. Still does. Needless to say I have had a small infatuation with the cactus family since then, even considering getting a tattoo, once I find the right one for me.
We all have times in which just one person, or trinket, or statement causes us to think deeper to what and who we are. I would be so bold to say that this happens more often than not, especially to me. I am influenced each day by things that are going on around me, with or without me, and sometimes this is difficult to swallow, especially if it something from my past, recent or further, that I have missed out on. But I have to remind myself that I made the decisions I made with careful consideration and LOADS of prayer. God has been there with me through everything. I am currently going through another "life change" and things are pretty uncomfortable for me at this time. However, I know that all I have is God...and of course a wonderful husband, family and friends who have been with me through much of it. I have faith that the Lord will lead me to where He wants me next, and will provide my/our every need, even though it is difficult waiting (patience is not a strength for me). I will keep the faith and follow where He leads.
So, I am a cactus....and am waiting to bloom!
I will start with a story that is true and might shed some light on me. Or it might not, but either way I am going to tell it. :) During my last colloquium I attended in Arizona for my Master's program (in counseling), my professor gave each person in the room a little trinket that she felt symbolized each of us, individually. We were given the task to look at the trinket and write down reasons we believe that the professor chose that particular piece for us. My little trinket....a cactus. Now I should preface this a little more by saying we were to dig deeper to our inner selves to find out what about our trinkets resembled us, per our professor. Of course, I came up with that it was tall, could withstand extreme weather, had prickly things (to symbolize the walls/protection that I often put up at times) and provided a source of water for many of the desert animals. I was pretty pleased with my thoughts, but had more time. I thought and thought. I even turned it sideways to make it form a "M" for my name. Hehe. (I will post a picture at a later time). Anyway, the professor then went around the room hearing the other learners' interpretations of themselves in the trinkets and sharing what she felt the trinket said about the learner. She came to me and most of what I had listed was pretty much what she said. But then she asked me to think of another one. I just couldn't think of any other ways that she could think this cactus would describe me. Then she said something that I will always wonder about and be in the back of my mind. She said "when the cactus blooms, it becomes more beautiful than originally thought it could." It really spoke to me. Still does. Needless to say I have had a small infatuation with the cactus family since then, even considering getting a tattoo, once I find the right one for me.
We all have times in which just one person, or trinket, or statement causes us to think deeper to what and who we are. I would be so bold to say that this happens more often than not, especially to me. I am influenced each day by things that are going on around me, with or without me, and sometimes this is difficult to swallow, especially if it something from my past, recent or further, that I have missed out on. But I have to remind myself that I made the decisions I made with careful consideration and LOADS of prayer. God has been there with me through everything. I am currently going through another "life change" and things are pretty uncomfortable for me at this time. However, I know that all I have is God...and of course a wonderful husband, family and friends who have been with me through much of it. I have faith that the Lord will lead me to where He wants me next, and will provide my/our every need, even though it is difficult waiting (patience is not a strength for me). I will keep the faith and follow where He leads.
So, I am a cactus....and am waiting to bloom!
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