SimplyComplexJen

 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

        ~Margaret Mead
        ~US anthropologist & popularizer of anthropology (1901 - 1978)

What do you see in your world that needs to change?

What are you doing about it?

I ran across this while looking for something else.

If something anticipated arrives too late it finds us numb, wrung out from waiting, and we feel - nothing at all. The best things arrive on time.

Dorothy Gilman, A New Kind of Country, 1978

“Frustration is the first step towards improvement. I have no incentive to improve if I’m content with what I can do and if I’m completely satisfied with my pace, distance and form as a runner. It’s only when I face frustration and use it to fuel my dedication that I feel myself moving forwards.” ~~~John Bingham

Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to be learned; and however early a man's training begins, it is probably the last lesson that he learns thoroughly.

~~~Thomas H. Huxley (1825 - 1895)

People are scared of failing. Without even defining sometimes what success is, they are scared of not achieving it. For some, anything over a 4hr marathon is a failure. For others, simply finishing is a success.

It's a great sense of empowerment to decide that you won't let the fear stand in your way. When I tell people I have signed up for my first triathlon, most commonly I hear, "I couldn't even run a mile!" or "WHY?!?!?!?". What most people don't realize is that they COULD run a 5k if they needed, or even a mile. Most are so scared of failing that they don't even participate.

I'm training for my first triathlon. It's a sprint distance. To me, a successful tri is simply a finish. It's learning to swim as a 30-something and putting it together with running and cycling in one event. The fear of not being able to finish has kept me from trying so many things in life (beyond sports).

There comes a time where everyone looks at themselves and decides the fear is not going to control them, and I believe at that moment, you have already achieved success.

It was March 2nd, 1904 that Theodore Seuss Geisel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Personally, I think the man is a genius. The story of the Lorax made me cry the first time I read it to my daughter. I could go on and on about the many ways his books speak to me, and hopefully my daughter as she grows and is able to see the message behind the nonsense story. I think the world a better place for this mans writing. Millions of children have been blessed by his words. Here are some of my favorite quotes:

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

“I meant what I said and I said what I meant.” (quoted often to my daughter)

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.”

“Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them.”

“Fun is good.”

"All alone! Whether you like it or not, alone is something you'll be quite a lot"

"It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how" (also quoted in our house a lot)

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose. "

"If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good. "

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.”

Last friday, I ran a little over 7 miles, if you count a 1 mile warmup walk/jog.

So, in my new Chi-running form (leaning foward, elbows tucked, proper head position) I ran. The run would have been good except one little detail. When I left the house it was 52 and sunny. I was wearing Adidas capri pants and a running tshirt. No gloves/hat or other things you might normally run with in Kansas in February.

The sun went down.

The cold front moved in.

Within a half an hour it was between 36-39 degrees. Of course the only thing that brings in a good cold front, is a good cold wind.

Layers? Good.
Cold Quads and Ears and Hands? Bad.

So, Yoda never spoke about wearing layers, though a good Jedi would not have to be reminded of this. (A good Jedi I am probably not) What Yoda did for me was say : Do or Do Not. There is no try.

Turns out, that is a great saying in the cadence of running. I will make it to the stop light at Metcalf and once I got there I realize I will make it past Shawnee Mission North HS and then I realized I will make it to my street and then Yoda's saying helped me sprint home. [side note: I usually walk the last 1/2 mile home to cool down, but near-sprint = less time in the bitter wind. Yay me!]

The thing is, I'm not even a huge Star Wars fan, but that quote is amazing through its simplicity and truth.

I've had various quotes posted around my office or house over the years depending on life's situation. Find yours and when you need the energy for your sprint of the day, maybe that quote will carry you to your destination.