This morning I completed a half marathon (21.1 kilometres) in perfect cool and overcast conditions.
Running with hundreds of other people, all sharing the same goal of reaching the finish line was joyful and motivating. Beating the challenges of a 6:30am start, running up hills and making it to the finish line is much easier when there are other people to run with.
What a great start to the day!
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
This quote is attributed to Ian Maclaren, the pseudonym of a 19th century Scottish author and theologian, and is a reminder to be considerate of others. We do not now how other people are feeling internally or the issues they are facing so we be kind to everyone we meet.
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
I read the above quote by former athlete Jim Ryun this morning and it really rang true to me. Habit is so important to achieving one’s goals.
We can achieve so much if we:
1. Define our goals and the steps required to obtain them
2. Focus on achieving our goals
3. Persevere when times are tough
With definition, focus and perseverance, we can do anything!
This title of Rozalla’s song Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good) holds a fundamental truth: no matter the situation, whether we feel good or bad is our choice.
We don’t have total control over our circumstances but we have the freedom to choose our reaction to those circumstances. I vote we choose to feel good!
Yesterday morning I enjoyed the drive to my favourite farmers market. It’s my favourite farmers market because the produce is both fresh and very good value. I also like to buy from farmers markets to support local producers.
One of the first stalls I saw had beautiful, large and very fresh heads of broccoli. I usually walk to the end of the market to see what is available before buying on the way back. However, this broccoli looked so good I bought two heads straight away.
Another market highlight was the citrus season in full swing with local mandarins and oranges for sale at several stalls.
The broccoli inspired me to make soup and not long after arriving home I had a large pot of broccoli and potato cooking. The soup, topped with croutons made from bread bought at the baker’s stall, was a delicious meal, Yum!
The Mary McCarthy quote we are the hero of our own story inspires me because it reminds me we all have the ability to be heroes in our own unique ways.
We each have so much potential in our life stories. How will the hero look in your own story?
I had a very happy start to one day this week when I was handed the above smile on a stick. The back of the smile was the mantra give happy, live happy and its purpose was to celebrate national volunteer week.
Giving your time to a charity or a cause not only helps others but is a great source of happiness and smiles for the giver 🙂
I’m looking forward to making the most of today. I’m also looking forward to starting the next stage of life tomorrow 🙂
I Â first heard this mantra a long time ago and am uncertain of its origins. There is a world of opportunity out there and it is up to you and I to make the most of it; to make the world our oyster!