Last year I focused on losing weight and through Weight Watchers (which I seriously recommend) and some serious discipline I finally proved to myself that I could in fact lose the weight I thought I was forever going to have. In many ways it was just an effort to prove an assumption wrong, that I was just genetically predisposed to be the weight I'd been for years. That assumption was totally wrong. I lost 20 lbs, and still going.
So after that enlightening experience I decided to test another assumption. That assumption being that I am not really an athlete and that I will NEVER ever be a runner. In fact I used to tell people (usually at work, the world of runners!) that I only would run if someone was chasing me. Yep, great motto huh? And this weekend I'm running my first 5k run ever.
How did this happen? Well it started with my walks in my effort to lose weight just not feeling like enough effort. I started just having the urge to run. Maybe this was due in part to the fact that I was feeling more in shape than I had in a very long time. Just running a block or two and then walking. Then running a little farther and a little farther. For a while all I could do was the walk/run effort so I needed another driving force. Erin and I decided we'd try and run a 5k together to motivate ourselves to actually get to the point where we were running more than walking. For the past few weeks we've ran for set periods of time and walked for a much shorter time. It helps that the Nikeplus technology makes it so much fun to track my runs, pace and time.
It's so satisfying to know that I'm now running. I'm a runner!!! Another assumption about myself that was not true. What's next? What are your assumptions about yourself? Challenge it, you might be pleasantly surprised that you too can experience a runner's high and its not a myth.
2/15/2010
A few things I've been up too...creatively that is.
So I am a knitter. Basically self taught through great video links and books. Its nice to have projects to work on and complete, especially when I don't feel like I'm "completing" things at work. I am not obsessed with knitting all my clothes or wearing knit items all the time. I just like the challenge of knitting. My goal is... Don't make it unless you saw it at Anthropologie and you'd want to buy.
This year I continued my cable obsession and completed two scarves (one for me and one for my dear girl Laurel) in a Sand Pattern of varying sizes:
Trying out fingerless gloves in a first attempt at gloves at all. These are incredibly simple and knitted straight and then stitched up the side. I got the pattern on Ravelry (Waffle Stitch).
I made two fantastic berets of Anne of Green Gables proportions (aka BIG) for Colleen and myself with this pattern improvised a little.
Links to some of my favorite knitting websites... (This is for you Shannan)
Figure out how to do some of those baffling stitches here and get links to some great free patterns: http://www.knittinghelp.com/
Great ideas at the Purl Bee Blog and tons of patterns.
This year I continued my cable obsession and completed two scarves (one for me and one for my dear girl Laurel) in a Sand Pattern of varying sizes:
Trying out fingerless gloves in a first attempt at gloves at all. These are incredibly simple and knitted straight and then stitched up the side. I got the pattern on Ravelry (Waffle Stitch).
I made this super easy scarf, appropriately called the "Easy Mistake Stitch Scarf" is to keep Margo warm in her new house in the woods.
I made two fantastic berets of Anne of Green Gables proportions (aka BIG) for Colleen and myself with this pattern improvised a little.
Links to some of my favorite knitting websites... (This is for you Shannan)
Figure out how to do some of those baffling stitches here and get links to some great free patterns: http://www.knittinghelp.com/
Great ideas at the Purl Bee Blog and tons of patterns.
An encyclopedia of projects/yarns/pattern ideas many for free at Ravelry .
If you want to felt, this is the pattern for the first bag I ever did. French Market Bag
Next up... I want to try Entrelac based off a beautiful wrap I saw in the window of Happy Knits my new favorite local yarn shop. Here's the article at Knitty. There are also some lovely patterns from this gal in Scotland that I am curious to try. Along with this lacy looking scarf which would be a new skill for me.
Next up... I want to try Entrelac based off a beautiful wrap I saw in the window of Happy Knits my new favorite local yarn shop. Here's the article at Knitty. There are also some lovely patterns from this gal in Scotland that I am curious to try. Along with this lacy looking scarf which would be a new skill for me.
12/18/2009
Walking the line
When does taking action or planning for the future become taking matters into your own hands? Is it a lack of trust that God will work or provide when you plan for the future? I was thinking about this today as I discussed the issue with a friend. We are both the types to "always be prepared". Watch out boy scouts... If you are the type you know what I mean. You have a list for everything you might ever need to pack for a trip. In fact its all probably ready to go in a pre-packed rubbermaid or suitcase. You know, know all the options, have the best one worked out along with 2-3 more in your back pocket just in case. You research all your options when you need to buy something big and you always shop around for the best deal.
But sometimes all those preparations can just turn into a scary struggle with CONTROL in our lives. We have this drive to always know what is coming next. If we could just see up around the bend, then it would be all ok. We could just relax. I don't know about you but I hate reading the ends of books. I don't want to know how it will turn out, I want to go along for the ride and be surprised at the beautiful ending. I trust the author. DON'T tell me how it ends!!!
So then why when things go all awry and the unknown is before me do I start planning, researching, back up planning and most of all worrying. I did this last year when we had looming layoffs at work. What would I do? Where would I go? The questions seemed unrelenting and the answers didn't come floating down from above. Its those times when we are uncertain of the future and we just don't know what will come tomorrow that we are tested in our trust in the provision and guidance of our God. Do we trust that he has a fantastic journey and ending for us? Why can't we just go along with the story? Why do we want to spoil it? Isn't he the author of the best story we'll ever know?
We are supposed to be good steward's of our money, time and resources, but how does that fit with reliance on our good Father, the Provider? I'm so black and white sometimes it is hard to dwell in the gray for even a small time. Matthew 6 is all about relying on God for our provision.
Matthew 6:34
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
That's hard when I am not so happy in today and my hope is that tomorrow will be better. Are we limiting ourselves in our ability to see God by our unending focus on the future? I can't help but think that much of our practical preparations are waste and distraction. I think I might be finally getting it. Oh, the thought gives me ulcers... but maybe eventually it will give me freedom too.
But sometimes all those preparations can just turn into a scary struggle with CONTROL in our lives. We have this drive to always know what is coming next. If we could just see up around the bend, then it would be all ok. We could just relax. I don't know about you but I hate reading the ends of books. I don't want to know how it will turn out, I want to go along for the ride and be surprised at the beautiful ending. I trust the author. DON'T tell me how it ends!!!
So then why when things go all awry and the unknown is before me do I start planning, researching, back up planning and most of all worrying. I did this last year when we had looming layoffs at work. What would I do? Where would I go? The questions seemed unrelenting and the answers didn't come floating down from above. Its those times when we are uncertain of the future and we just don't know what will come tomorrow that we are tested in our trust in the provision and guidance of our God. Do we trust that he has a fantastic journey and ending for us? Why can't we just go along with the story? Why do we want to spoil it? Isn't he the author of the best story we'll ever know?
We are supposed to be good steward's of our money, time and resources, but how does that fit with reliance on our good Father, the Provider? I'm so black and white sometimes it is hard to dwell in the gray for even a small time. Matthew 6 is all about relying on God for our provision.
Matthew 6:34
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Focus on seeking his kingdom first. God knows what we need. Live in today.
That's hard when I am not so happy in today and my hope is that tomorrow will be better. Are we limiting ourselves in our ability to see God by our unending focus on the future? I can't help but think that much of our practical preparations are waste and distraction. I think I might be finally getting it. Oh, the thought gives me ulcers... but maybe eventually it will give me freedom too.
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