Causes for a Cure

Lunch Post today!!!

First let me say that I had a great workout last night on the Evil Concept II Rower!!!!  My assigned task (some of you may remember) is to do 3 sets 300 meters in 1.50 secs. 

So last night, I REALLY was not feeling it...I did not want to go to the gym!  But...I went...FORGE ON!

My 1st set I did the 300 meters in 1.21secs...My second set..I completed in 1.17 secs and my 3rd set...I completed in 1.13 secs.  THEN..I did 600 meters in 3.50 seconds.  THEN...I did 6 miles on the recumbent bike.  All Cardio...and Stretching...

My favorite machine at the Gym is the Precor Stretch Trainer!!!  I love it!!!  It relieves a lot of my muscle and joint pain after my workouts...So...if you have access to one...give it a try!  I do it before AND after my workouts!!! 

So...I felt good about pushing through...forging ahead and the truth is...accomplishing a workout and in the midst of some fairly significant apathy felt fantastic...That is progress and that is Joyful!!!

But I have a much bigger task ahead...This weekend I will be participating in another 5K.... but this one has special meaning! 

I will be participating in a 5K to raise funds for my best friend's niece and for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Research.  Below is an email from my friend Donna that provides a brief explanation.

Hi, Everyone.

As most of you know, my niece, Randa Sixkiller Gatlin was diagnosed with triple negative cancer about a year-and-a-half ago. Triple negative cancer is a very aggressive breast cancer that affects both, young women and African American women. Sadly, we just learned that Randa's cancer has metastasized in her brain. Her amazing doctor, Dr. Angel Rodriguez, is doing everything he can to keep the cancer at bay and we are still praying for a miracle.

This Saturday is the 3rd Annual Cause for Cure Walk/Run in Tomball benefiting Triple Negative and Metastatic Cancer Research. They have collected $3,800 and their goal is to raise $15,000 for much needed research on this highly aggressive cancer. My niece, Randa Sixkiller Gatlin has participated in a clinical trial and will be the guest of honor. Dr. Rodriguez will be there to talk about the benefits and results of this very important research.

Please consider attending the event or donating funds for research. Net proceeds will be directed to the Methodist Hospital Foundation specifically for Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Metastatic Research. Donate or register to walk this Saturday.  The Financial support would be greatly appreciated and prayers are ALWAYS appreciated!

Believing that a miracle can and will happen!

Donna

 

Here is the link

 

http://www.causesforacure.org/

This is Randa and her young son.

 

I so truly believe in the Power of Prayer and I believe that Prayer combined with God's unfailing LOVE can lead to Peace and Comfort...can lead to Miracles and Always leads to God.

So...I will be walking this Saturday morning...I would so love it if you would join me and if you can't attend, please consider contributing..even the smallest amount can make a difference. And if you cannot do either...Please Pray...Pray for Randa...Pray for Tristan...Pray for the family and please pray for God's healing and comfort! 

Again, Let it Begin With Me! 

Grace, Gratitude and Growth

"I do not understand the mystery of grace — only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us" --Anne Lamott

I read this today...this morning actually and thought about abundantly true this is for me.  Grace is a mystery for me.  I have talked about Grace extensively along this Journey and what it means to me. 

If I could...I would like to sit down with Anne Lamott and ask her what this means to her...just out of sheer curiosity. 

There is a certain beauty to these words as she spoke them...and like I said, a truth for me.  I truly do not understand the mystery of grace.  I know for me Grace is something shared from God...mystical...ethereal...surreal. Grace is something that I don't truly recognize until I am consumed by it. 

Here is what I think...I am always surrounded by Grace.  For me, Grace shows up through people, music, moments of clarity...it is present in sadness and in joy.  My experience along this Journey is that Grace has kept me grounded where I need to be..and Grace guides me to the next right thing...Grace protects me and Grace pushes me...Grace gives me faith and Grace forces me to grow...

At times, Grace is subtle and difficult to see and at times, it is absolutely explosive and blinding!

So as I read this quote...I got all...deep!!!  I have told several people lately (in conversation about this Journey of mine) that so much of this Journey is about other things than just losing weight.  I have certainly said that here...But it is just SO true..

So really...I have no idea where I am going with this thought....just that I want to See The Grace and Be Grace-Filled...AND BE SKINNIER!  That's All!

Grace, Gratitude and Growth...Grace is the drive...Gratitude keeps me grounded and the Growth will come...The better, faster, sleeker me...can be born and is born from Grace...God defined Grace.


Grace is with me now and Grace will lead me onward!  All I have to be is willing and ready!

So before I go...I was having a conversation with Donna last night...and in that conversation she mentioned the following song.  She was not familiar with it...I, on the other hand, had heard this song many times and LOVE it.  There is Grace in this Song...Written by Curtis Mayfield in 1965.  Thought I would share the lyrics and below that...a beautiful live version of this song by the late Eva Cassidy. 


People get ready, there's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

People get ready for the train to Jordan
It's picking up passengers from coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board 'em
There's hope for all among those loved the most.

There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there's no hiding place against the Kingdom's throne

So people get ready, there's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord



People Get Ready

Intentional Living

So I have been noticing on Facebook that people are posting  daily blessings...I guess as part of the Thanksgiving season.  I like it...However, I noticed others posting that "we" should be grateful everyday and not just in November...For some reason this made me laugh...

People posting blessings and others bitching because they should do it all the time and not just in November...Nothing like the ill-timed blessing...LOL!

Regardless...I am pro-blessing...whenever...where ever...HOWEVER!  I was perusing through one of my recent social media addictions...Pinterest ( I am a late bloomer)...when I came across this Pin.

Now..for some reason...I read this and had one of of those UH-OH moments...you know one of those getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar moments...

I know I talk about my problems...and at times quite frankly, I have to...to get them out of the squirrel cage that can be my brain...it is cathartic. However, I know I don't talk about my Joys nearly as often...that is in fact ONE of MY Problems...See what I did there...:)

So I read that quote several times...and even went as far as to argue (with myself of course) that I am a believer in "processing" the stuff that holds me back (aka problems) and that talking "through" the problem is helpful...again...cathartic.  But the other me (yes...It is getting crowded in here)...says..yes...but if you just focus on the problem...then you miss the Joy of the lesson...the Joy that comes from the experience...Finally...I told all of me to "zip it" and decided that the most impactful word in the above quote was the word "HABIT". 

THAT word was the UH-OH for me....I can be a habitual worrier...stresser...doubter...problems...But I have to intentionally change my behavior..very focused intention...to move from the problem...to the Joy! 

THAT is my problem...Habits...and not good ones.  My eating habits CAN be Good...My sleeping habits CAN be better...My exercise HABITS ARE improving. HABITS can Be GOOD...

I want to be in the HABIT of Intentionally being Joyful. 

Though I really was struck by the above quote...I want to reframe the thought a bit for myself...I want the Habit to BE LIVING WITH INTENTION.

Again...Habits can be Good....

I guess I realized today that this entire Journey is about Living Life with Intention for me...

Living Life Intentionally Healthy
Living Life Intentionally Faithful
Living Life Intentionally Loving
Living Life Intentionally Giving
Living Life Intentionally Joyful

Yes...this Journey is about lots of things...lots of special little moments...overwhelming big moments...and lots of in-betweens. 

As I said recently...there are parts of my life that are still in disrepair...and correction, healing, re-building ALL take time. 

And although I know that Time is precious and not unlimited...I choose to make the best of the Time I do have...Use it as wisely as possible but not necessarily conservatively...I want to LIVE...not bide my time!!! 

I want to face life challenges (and truly believe to my very core) that JOY is right there...just waiting for me to recognize it! 

After my struggles last week...I am aware that I have some more growing to do...more lessons to learn and more wounds to heal...AND...I can intentionally embrace the God moments...the big, bright obvious blessings and the dark, obscure moments that seem blessing free...but always have a silver lining.

So warning...I am going to intentionally and publicly post my blessings here...talk about the Joy...until it becomes a HABIT! 

So to all of you posting your Thanksgiving Blessings...POST AWAY!!! 

My Cup Runneth Over

OK...I know I often discuss blessings here...all kinds and maybe too often for some.  I could be accused of beating the proverbial "dead horse" when it comes to expressing my gratitude for those blessings.

Well...prepare yourself and the poor horse...cause the beating is about to commence!

For me...it is necessary to express my gratitude frequently!  You know...despite the amazing things I experience on a regular basis...I at times, forget..lose sight....lose my way...and get lost in my drama...forgetting the amazing and focusing on the overwhelming!

Tonight...I was reminded of the amazing! Reminded of the beauty of a long time friendship...the resilience of that friendship and the comfort and ease with which it flows! 

I was reminded that I have strength behind me!

Also, I was reminded of the amazing gifts that come with new friendship...the blessing that comes from connecting on a heart level...a soul level that kinda defies explanation!!

Over the past year+, I have experienced  deepening relationships with some of my oldest friends. I have reconnected with friends from my younger years...I have have been blessed by brief...but meaningful encounters with complete strangers that touched my heart AND I have had the opportunity to experience the joy of being part of new friendships that have changed my heart permanently-for the better!

I think anyone who reads this blog knows that Kerri has been one of those people for me...someone that deeply touched my heart and that I felt an immediate connection with...Bless her heart...I have told her that from the beginning...so much for boundaries!  I adore her and tell her as often as I can!!

However...during the same time frame...I have had the honor of being blessed with another one of those once in a lifetime...heart changing friendships...my sweet friend Camille. ..who interestingly enough has a very sweet spirit much like my sweet Kerri Lee!  And Again...I adore her and tell her often!

Both of these friendships have further deepened my appreciation for the depth of God's Infinite Love and how He divinely places the perfect pieces to guide me  through this Journey.

I AM BLESSED!  SERIOUSLY!!!

Over my 46 years on this earth...God has given me the opportunity to experience love in so many different ways....through so many wonderful peeps...so many nuances...so many precious moments!

This Journey has been a virtual cornucopia of unbelievable gifts...sweet moments...mind blowing opportunities and loads of patience, kindness and love!

All of you have put up with all of my emotional exuberance...my deep need to share and overshare!! :)

I spent many years being reticent in sharing my deepest feelings...part of this Journey is about dispelling the fear and living the love...even if I seem like a giant mushy mess!

Tonight my friend Camille gave me an incredibly thoughtful lovely gift...she made me cry...I loved it! And there is no gift more precious than getting to be her friend! 

Again...my heart is FULL! OVERFLOWING!!

My cup runneth over!

Here is a pic of my gift from C! Inspiration to Conquer those Waves and Go Deep!

  

The Fluffy Engine that Could!

Happy Sunday! I hope you all are having a blessed day filled with lots of love and laughs.

I started the day with church...lunch...groceries...and now am at the gym. You might have guessed...but after running around in this fluffy body last night, I woke up with a few aches and pains today!!!

Now...I COULD have just let this aging body complain...but instead...I pushed through the aches and pains...lifted weights and did some light cardio and I must admit...I actually feel better!

Again...last night was great...great weather...great progress and a GREAT Team!  TEAM MAWA! Thanks again Mom, Kristen, Stephen, Lindsey and Emily...you guys are the Rock to my Roll! Of course..as always thanks to K for the continued inspiration!  

This last week presented some challenges....Again...I was offered the opportunity to maneuver some obstacles that I did not see coming OR try to ignore when I do see them coming...only to find myself overwhelmed, exhausted and feeling defeated.

I continue to be acutely aware that when I do not rely on food as a crutch...I sometimes fall...but...I am willing to keep working...keep trusting that every screw up...every stumble will give me the chance to do things differently...

The hard part for me is the ups and downs....the extremes. But I am learning that going through the crap without eating crap...leads to a happier....more peaceful me.

Last week, I let some of "today's" realities become FOREVER realities in my head...and I did not "eat" to find a solution...which was good...but... Unfortunately...I just cratered emotionally.  So...it was ugly...AND I continued to workout...to believe that I could get through....even if I did not do it gracefully. ..0 style points!! 

But you know....here I am...still moving forward...believing more and more that I am on God's defined path. Still learning to accept who I am and the pace of this Journey...still surrounded by great love and support.  I am flawed...I have many facets of my life that need improving...areas that I want to improve again...in an effort to be a better human...to Be A Blessing!

I THINK I CAN... I THINK I CAN...I THINK I CAN!!  The Fluffy Engine that Could! 

The Journey IS the Reward!

RUN FLUFFY RUN

RUN FLUFFY RUN!!

So tonight was the 1st anniversary of my 1st 5K...The Firefly Run! TEAM MAWA was back in action!!!

Kristen, Stephen, Lindsey and suited up and took on the challenge with our excellent cheerleaders. ..Tone Tone and Emily!!

My goal this year was to run a portion of the 3.2 mile course.  So my own personal dynamo. ..planner extraordinaire. ..Lindsey, came up with run/walk intervals to keep me running throughout the course as well as walking!  My 2nd goal was to decrease my time this year.

Last year I walked the 3.2 miles in 58 min AND did NOT finish last!! Which was my primary goal last year. ..Finish and Not Last!! I accomplished that!

So this year...run and reduce...that was my goal!! SO....drumroll....Lindsey's plan worked...I ran about 1.0 mile of the 3.2 mile course and completed the course in 51 minutes!! Progress!!

Most amazingly...I was FAR from last and...I felt good....damn good!

Again...my support system was amazing! Another mini goal in the books!

Now...ONWARD!

Here is my crew...Team MaWa!!

Slowly But Surely

Hi there...It is late Friday or really early Saturday. ..however you want to look at it.

It has been a rough few days...too rough to discuss this late. ..but don't worry (haha)...I am sure it will be dicussed soon enough!  

Tonight.  I just enjoyed my "people"...my Emily had a year end volleyball game and I got to spend some time with my Brig and her family!

Tomorrow night is the Firefly Run...and I am going to try and "run" a portion of the 3.2 mile trek! 

It marks the 1 year anniversary of my 1st 5K!

Every day...another step...step by step. Slowly but surely!

Here are a few pics! My Em! My pal Brig and I...and the Teague Boys...Senior Night... Last home game!