Some days you just need a kick in the butt

I read this quote this morning, "At least 99 percent of running is just showing up, getting out there and putting one foot in front of the other." - John Hanc, The Essential Runner

This is exactly how I felt today. I walked outside with a requirement of running 7 miles, but I was not feeling up to it. My heart was not really into it, and last week's reduced workouts had taken a mental toll on me. However, I am a creature of habits and lists. I have signed up for a 1/2 marathon training program and that program said I needed to log 7 miles today.

So, I put my music on, set my iPod to record 7 miles of running, and put one foot in front of the other. The more the miles clicked by the more I said to myself, "Let's do this." I really wanted to head home after one mile, but I was headed away from home, and turning around is just not in my mental process. So for me today, showing up and putting one foot in front of the other, and having really good music, made all the difference. After only logging 12 miles last week, I felt rather sluggish throughout the run. It was a slower run than usual, but a better run than Saturday where I had repeated asthma attacks and stopped early due to poor breathing. Today my breathing was better, my legs were sore, but happy in their ability to finish the job. My mind and soul are encouraged by my bodies' ability to overcome mental setbacks and push through that mental wall.

Volunteering at school reminds me of civic responsibilities to my fellow man

Thursday was a great day! I had a wonderful opportunity to volunteer by helping my son's music department. Each year the 6th grade band, orchestra and chorus return to the elementary schools to perform for the 5th grade class. Those 5th graders are preparing for middle school and the opportunity to chose to play an instrument or sing in choir. For most children - the opportunity to play an instrument in middle school is the first time they've had that opportunity. Many of them are not familiar with the sounds of the various instruments that make up a band and an orchestra. This is a great opportunity for them to see and hear these instruments up close.

The returning 6th graders were very excited to show off their talents and abilities, and the 5th graders were very appreciative audiences. My job, along with about 5 other moms was to provide muscle and transportation for all the music stands and the drums. We had to transport, setup and tear down at 2 elementary schools. It was fun work and the free concert was fabulous! Our middle school is fortunate to have a large music department. The 6th grade orchestra has 50 or more members, and the 6th grade band has over 140 members. The work we volunteers did was not difficult, but it made a world of difference for the kids. So it turned out to be a win-win: it made me feel good and helped the kids.

That reminded me that volunteering benefits all of us, the giver and the receiver. With local, state and federal budgets all being cut it's more important than ever for all of us to step up and help out in any way we can. There are so many ways to give back, and it isn't hard to find them. For instance, this past Wednesday, my local paper The Free-Lance Star published an article about the homeless children in some of our local school districts, and ways that people can help out. I called my children's school social worker to ask how I can be of help to the children & families in need in our school.

While the tragedies around the world require us, as a global community, to step up and help on a large scale; there are so many in our local community who are struggling as well. When you help locally you receive that immediate reward, that good feeling inside. There are so many places to volunteer. For example: your local pet shelter, a local mission, your local Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The list is really endless, and the feelings of doing good, helping out, and making a difference are immeasurable.

Reviewing and taking to heart the article "Making Memories" from Disability Is Natural Website

I don't know about you, but I love to collect things on my desktop. My husband is bothered by this every time he has to use my laptop. My virtual "messy desk" is distracting to him :) Since it's the complete opposite of my physical desk I think it causes him some cognitive dissonance. However there is a method to my madness, at least that's what the voices in my head are telling me.

One of the items on my desktop was an article I had read, and loved, from Disability Is Natural. The article came from their December, 2010 newsletter, and it is titled "Making Memories". This article really resonated with me when I first read it, and even now as I re-read it. A few years back, I worried that Ellie's only "friends" would be her therapists. At the time she had therapy 4 days a week. I was depressed as I figured that her memories of her childhood would be about therapy, and not play dates, soccer, swimming lessons, baseball, gymnastics, and all the other fun things growing kids need to experience. This article discusses those concerns and how to avoid them. The author addresses the role that care givers have in helping to create positive memories for children and adults with special needs. It is well-worth the read, and the re-read!

It must have been seeping into my head while it sat on my desktop. It became apparent the other day when I realized that Ellie was starting to have some wonderful "typical child" activities, and ultimately, memories. First off, she has a neighbor friend who enjoys playing all sorts of childhood favorites with Ellie: bubbles, baseball, digging in the sandbox, and so on. The first place she heads when we go outside is to her friend RJ's house. She also walked home one day last week with a classmate to play after school.

Over a year ago therapy was replaced with Special Olympics. Ellie has made some wonderful friends there. Since last fall she has also taken Kids Zumba. If only every day could be "dancing day". It warms my heart to see the other children call to her when she walks in the room! Great memories for her, and them. Now she is adding parks and rec soccer to her calendar, as well as Challenger Baseball. So just like her brother, she gets to experience all the different sports out there to see which one fits her likes and personality. And while she does that she is making the great memories of participating equal to her abilities. It warms me from the inside out to see the memories she is making, and how her joy creates great memories in the people around her. These memories are invaluable. I remember that before Ellie was born, I didn't have a very positive view of the opportunities for and/or abilities of people with Down Syndrome. My limited experience with people with DS had led to these negative memories. Ellie's positive interactions with so many in her community create for all of those people positive memories of the capabilities and attitude of Ellie, and in turn, of people with Down Syndrome. Since our memories help to shape how we view the future - It's a win-win-win!

Yes You Can

Here's a great quote I read this morning in my email inbox:

"Winners say what they want to happen. Losers say what they feel will happen." - Dr. Linda Bunker in Joan Samuelson's Running for Women


This is so true. The power of positive thinking has been well-documented and I will be writing more about that in an upcoming post. But keep this quote in the fore-front of your thinking today, and let it shape your thought-processes regarding any and all of the goals and projects you have on your radar for this spring and this year.