So, it's been a long while since my last entry. I was recently encouraged by my tri-swim coach and friend, Chris to share something that might be inspirational. It feels like such a tall order, to be inspirational. It's like trying to be funny as a stand-up comedian, either you or aren't. Oh the PRESSURE!!!!
I am humbled to hear that my journey has inspired others. The encouragement to post more frequently is well received especially when I'm overwhelmed with daily demands. For all those who have read and continue to read this blog I say a heartfelt warm thank you, there are many other things you could be doing with your precious time! Truly, I'm honored that you would share with me on this journey. Let's stay connected and mutually encourage each other!!! Now, for the next installment of It's all about the journey.
Serendipity, finding something good or useful while not specially looking for it, is the word for today. Life is full of unexpected blessings that show up just when they are needed the most. All throughout the past few days I've experienced various forms of serendipity.
What in the world is Melvin rambling about now? I'm glad you asked! Let me try to explain.
Yesterday I was trying to leave work to get to treadmill class. I had already blewn my morning workout when I woke up at 4:59am and Run Club started at 5:15 am and I live 45 minutes away.WTF!!! (Don't worry, my Running Angel, Morgan did check up on me!!)
Not only did I miss Run Club, I also missed the last TRX/Kettlebell class for this session (Sorry, Ben!! Atomic Push-ups are waiting for me the next go around.). So, I'm at work with increasing frustration of trying to leave but not able to because one more thing kept coming up.
You now how it is, the more you are trying to get somewhere the more obstacles you face!!. It's like getting a fussy baby cleaned and dressed ready to walk out the door then all of sudden the baby let's their bowel and bladder go and you are late because you are cleaning up human excrement. Every time I tried to leave, one more thing needed attention until I, had to finally put a pin in things and stop working to to get to my treadmill class.
I get to the gym late 25 minutes after class started frustrated and uptight only to discover that class had been cancelled and the workout sheet was waiting for me, Serendipity!!! So, I start to take the elevator up one floor to get on the treadmill. Who should see me? Nicole, my treadmill instructor ordering me to take the stairs, (She's my drill instructor) Serendipity!!!
Half way into the speed and strength workout I'm sprinting at 8mph 3% incline for 30sec sets. After the third set with three sets to go, my heart feeling like it was about to break through my rib cage, like the creature from Alien, I decided to transition to the pool for the last 10 minutes of an Aqua class and the first 15 minutes of Aqua Volleyball all in preparation for 1800 meter tri-swim complete with slow to fast 50's on the 1:30.
This morning knocked out from yesterday's full day I, jumped up in time to make it to my morning appointment, feeling grateful for the experience of grace and mercy being manifested through different people (Morgan, Nicole, Chris, and Ben) and in various ways throughout my life and career. I am becoming aware of my increased capacity to remain connected with myself while remaining open to experiencing unexpected blessings just when I need them the most.
May you experience wonderful serendipity!!
Thanks for reading!! Peace & Blessings on Your Journey!!
Friday, January 31, 2014
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Another Year's Journey: Moving ahead
Happy New Year!!! As this first week of 2014 comes to a close I, am reminded of how far I have come and how far I have to go. I was asked a few days ago, "how much weight have you lost?" "What is your goal?" My response was: 'not enough' and 'a long way off'!!
My journey of mind, spirit, and body integration is a process of slow evolution. The left side of my brain says work harder, do more, push it, keep going, no pain no gain. The right side of my brain says take it easy, relax, breathe, have fun, enjoy yourself. I seek balance between these poles.
I have lived externally, seeking approval and acceptance from others, for a significant portion of my life. Don't get me wrong, approval and acceptance are wonderful but at what price? What does it matter if I reach my goal and get pats on the back while I lose connection with myself?
When sharing my embryonic triathlete aspirations with any who would care to listen I, have received the feedback that I am going through a mid-life crisis. While it is a strong possibility that I, may have more sunsets and sunrises behind me than I have before me, it does not negate my awareness of the journey toward integrated balance.
As a novice athlete signing up for training programs and race events I have a subscription to USA TRIATHLON and RUNNER'S WORLD. Although I look nothing like these perfect human specimens nor as fast, and my quick cadence time is their leisurely walking activity, there is something that we have in common; humility and patience.
This was made clear to me during my third leg of Winter Warrior: Triathlon edition training. The swim coach reminded us that some may be stronger runners (7 minute mile), others may have Breaking Away committed to memory especially the scene were the cyclist chases down a semi going 60 miles an hour, and still others may swim faster than Mark Phelps and Aquaman combined,
but, the triathlon teaches humility and patience.
I read an article by Jeff Matlow entitled: MY MID-TRI CRISIS were he finds life lessons from his twenty years of participating in the sport. He comes from a running background and loves to rack up mileage. I don't like running, the pounding and pain is at times more than I can bare.He hates the monotony of swimming back and forth. For me I find swimming to be relaxing, except when I am worrying about sinking and drowning on a side kick drill but, I digress. We share a similar ambivalence about biking that at times it's a "mindless slog".
So, why do I put my body through hours of P.T. (physical torture)? It would be much easier to sleep, and to eat whatever I want when I want. What is the pay off for me? Humility and patience. Jeff Matlow shared his three life lessons that I am incorporating and tailoring to fit me.
1. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
I am learning to embrace the slow and smooth motions of the exercises. As I focus on controlled deliberate moments I am reminded to breathe and feel into the current of the water, the road underneath me and the rhythm of my stride. As I learn to slow down and pace I experience the sensation of motionless flight. This is helpful in my life to reach a place of acceptance and commitment.
2. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.
This truth resonates deeply within me. I have had my fair share of heartache and pain in my life. I know what it is to be the object of ridicule and meanness. I have experienced the pain of an unhealthy lifestyle. I know the pain of loneliness, fear and depression. We don't get out of life without pain, trauma, and brokenness. Pain is inevitable more ways than one but, psychological suffering is a choice. Quieting the mind and opening the soul is the key powerful and trans-formative re-framing.
3. It's not about the time it takes to get from the start to the finish, It's about the time you have in between.
I was recently asked if I were an animal what would I be. I responded that I would a tortoise. My friends were choosing "sexy" animals like lion, panther, eagle, bear.." I was the only one that said tortoise. The tortoise is weathered by the storms and seasons of eons yet and with humility and patience endures the ravages of time. The tortoise's shell can withstand extreme pressures while remaining soft and pliable on the inside. A tortoise is always present to where they were "slow walking down" the faster animals. There is song that says: The race is not given to the swift nor to the strong but to the one that endures until the end. I am beginning 2014 with these life lessons articulated in a poem by Rudyard Kipling:
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If, you can trust yourself when all men doubt you but make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, or being lied about don't deal in lies, or being hated don't give way to hating, and yet don't look to good nor talk to wise.
If you can dream -and not make dreams your master-, if you can think-but not make thoughts your aim; if you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, and those two impostors just the same; if you bear to hear the truth you've spoken, twisted by knaves to a trap for fools, or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, and stoop and build'em with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss, and lose, and start again at your beginnings and never breathe a word about your loss; if you can force your heart, and nerve, and sinew to serve their turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the Will which says to them "hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings-nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; if all men count with you, but none too much, if you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, and-which is more- you'll be a Man my Son!
My journey of mind, spirit, and body integration is a process of slow evolution. The left side of my brain says work harder, do more, push it, keep going, no pain no gain. The right side of my brain says take it easy, relax, breathe, have fun, enjoy yourself. I seek balance between these poles.
I have lived externally, seeking approval and acceptance from others, for a significant portion of my life. Don't get me wrong, approval and acceptance are wonderful but at what price? What does it matter if I reach my goal and get pats on the back while I lose connection with myself?
When sharing my embryonic triathlete aspirations with any who would care to listen I, have received the feedback that I am going through a mid-life crisis. While it is a strong possibility that I, may have more sunsets and sunrises behind me than I have before me, it does not negate my awareness of the journey toward integrated balance.
As a novice athlete signing up for training programs and race events I have a subscription to USA TRIATHLON and RUNNER'S WORLD. Although I look nothing like these perfect human specimens nor as fast, and my quick cadence time is their leisurely walking activity, there is something that we have in common; humility and patience.
This was made clear to me during my third leg of Winter Warrior: Triathlon edition training. The swim coach reminded us that some may be stronger runners (7 minute mile), others may have Breaking Away committed to memory especially the scene were the cyclist chases down a semi going 60 miles an hour, and still others may swim faster than Mark Phelps and Aquaman combined,
but, the triathlon teaches humility and patience.
I read an article by Jeff Matlow entitled: MY MID-TRI CRISIS were he finds life lessons from his twenty years of participating in the sport. He comes from a running background and loves to rack up mileage. I don't like running, the pounding and pain is at times more than I can bare.He hates the monotony of swimming back and forth. For me I find swimming to be relaxing, except when I am worrying about sinking and drowning on a side kick drill but, I digress. We share a similar ambivalence about biking that at times it's a "mindless slog".
So, why do I put my body through hours of P.T. (physical torture)? It would be much easier to sleep, and to eat whatever I want when I want. What is the pay off for me? Humility and patience. Jeff Matlow shared his three life lessons that I am incorporating and tailoring to fit me.
1. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
I am learning to embrace the slow and smooth motions of the exercises. As I focus on controlled deliberate moments I am reminded to breathe and feel into the current of the water, the road underneath me and the rhythm of my stride. As I learn to slow down and pace I experience the sensation of motionless flight. This is helpful in my life to reach a place of acceptance and commitment.
2. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.
This truth resonates deeply within me. I have had my fair share of heartache and pain in my life. I know what it is to be the object of ridicule and meanness. I have experienced the pain of an unhealthy lifestyle. I know the pain of loneliness, fear and depression. We don't get out of life without pain, trauma, and brokenness. Pain is inevitable more ways than one but, psychological suffering is a choice. Quieting the mind and opening the soul is the key powerful and trans-formative re-framing.
3. It's not about the time it takes to get from the start to the finish, It's about the time you have in between.
I was recently asked if I were an animal what would I be. I responded that I would a tortoise. My friends were choosing "sexy" animals like lion, panther, eagle, bear.." I was the only one that said tortoise. The tortoise is weathered by the storms and seasons of eons yet and with humility and patience endures the ravages of time. The tortoise's shell can withstand extreme pressures while remaining soft and pliable on the inside. A tortoise is always present to where they were "slow walking down" the faster animals. There is song that says: The race is not given to the swift nor to the strong but to the one that endures until the end. I am beginning 2014 with these life lessons articulated in a poem by Rudyard Kipling:
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If, you can trust yourself when all men doubt you but make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, or being lied about don't deal in lies, or being hated don't give way to hating, and yet don't look to good nor talk to wise.
If you can dream -and not make dreams your master-, if you can think-but not make thoughts your aim; if you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, and those two impostors just the same; if you bear to hear the truth you've spoken, twisted by knaves to a trap for fools, or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, and stoop and build'em with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss, and lose, and start again at your beginnings and never breathe a word about your loss; if you can force your heart, and nerve, and sinew to serve their turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the Will which says to them "hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings-nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; if all men count with you, but none too much, if you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, and-which is more- you'll be a Man my Son!
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