If Only (for) a Moment
Posted: August 26, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: biking, blogging, Blue Jay, compassion, cycling, exercise, Faithless, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, Gravel Worlds, happiness, health, hipster, Horticulture, kindness, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, nebraska, Oak, Omaha, passion, trail running, Tree, Walk, walking, whole foods, Willow, WOD, writing, yoga 12 CommentsFaithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens-
Often in my writing, I’ve mentioned my thoughts about nature and exploring the world outdoors. For me, there are few things as inspiring as gazing at a white tail fawn taking a drink from a stream or witnessing someone riding along on a trail with the wind dancing in the leaves, the branches of the willow trees playing a velvety note …
Do you have a space that sings to your heart as much if not more now than in the past? What created the change for you?
When I finish a long ride, I often sit and gaze out at the view I had come to love one last time. Then, suddenly I take notice … the bluest of Blue Jays confidently perched in a nearby oak tree. In all my years of being outside, looking, I had never seen his equal, in both color and presence. I watched him for what seemed like a long time, seconds in all actuality … and then he dropped from his perch, hurtling at top speed toward the earth before catching a gentle breeze and ascending to the tree tops.
I sat in this spot for a long while, appreciating the gift nature generously brought it to me. In this moment I traveled back through the years, the many miles I have ridden, run, walked … To the many opportunities that nature had presented kindly to me. Often I answered, more times than naught I didn’t.
Notes:
Driving to work this morning, gazing at a different face of natures beautiful presence. I’m reminded of the Blue Jay I recently met and the message he shared with me. We are here only for a moment, surrender to it.
Be well and have an A1 day!
Back (to) the Start
Posted: August 21, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, crossfit, cycling, exercise, failure, family, fitness, happiness, health, hipster, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, natural, nature, nebraska, Omaha, passion, running, success, trail running, whole foods, WOD, yoga 7 CommentsDon’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth-
Modern society has taught us that we have either “winners” or “losers.” How often have you witnessed a teacher, yoga instructor, life coach, personal trainer and dare I mention parents … teaching us how to approach failure, how to accept loosing as part of life? We often spend more time focusing on the less important lesson – Winning, succeeding at all costs, no matter what the consequences and outcome(s) may be.
People who fail repeatedly develop persistence in the face of difficulties and only those folks with an extensive history of failure could survive the difficulties that they endure during their lives. Such dogged persistence is not a universal trait we share. If it were, everyone would be in shape (whatever this means), trim, happy, healthy, super flexible during yoga class, 14 minute 5k time etc.
Success, only teaches us to keep on doing the same thing … Failure teaches us to adapt and change, to overcome. Speaking of overcoming obstacles … Gravel Worlds Premier 2013
Notes:
The practical power of failure is not restricted to work, school and getting the sweetest parking spot at Whole Foods. Failure applies to all aspects of simply being a human being, including the crass activity of bragging about your weight room stats and run times.
Failure has taught me more in life than I can possibly begin to imagine and accepting failure helps me to get the old creative juices flowing once again … Success breads and harbors contentment – How utterly boring!?!
e(Tude)
Posted: August 16, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, compassion, exercise, family, fitness, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, running, walking, WOD, yoga 9 CommentsWrite it. Shoot it. Publish it. Crochet it, Sauté it, whatever. MAKE-
Best of luck to those of you participating in these awesome events this weekend!
Omaha Corporate Cycling Challenge
Are there times during the day when you wish you could tap into your creative side? What does creativity mean anyway(s)? Is creativity “something” through which you express yourself during yoga class or while enjoying an evening ride, or is creativity “something” that keeps you feeling connected to the earth and those around you?
During a few periods downtime today and throughout the weekend, brushing and flossing your pearly whites or taking a walk in the local market, explore the opportunity to tap into many of the great ideas we have that often get overlooked during the rush of the day. Consider brushing your teeth with your opposite hand … There is “something” happening in these special moments too, which are equally significant in our lives, if we pause and listen.
Notes:
The creativity many of us search endlessly for, is already there … Maybe we need to learn how to sit back, feet up, relaxed – chill and allow “things” to happen?
Have a brilliant weekend and please be well!
The Circle
Posted: August 14, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, compassion, exercise, family, fitness, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, perspective, running, whole foods, WOD, yoga 9 CommentsI like this place and could willingly waste my time in it-
How often has a monarch butterfly alighted on your arm while riding your favorite path? Not this morning … Yet I do notice that when a certain quiet descends within, the blue jays and wild grouse venture close, still somewhat hesitant in their flight and chatter, although closer with less apprehension.
As I write this morning, my mind is populated by what is happening out on the surrounding roads. My daily routine has taken on its normal seasonal rhythm, the ebb and flow of gliding past bending branches, alongside randomly arranged rows of this seasons harvest.
Suddenly, there is a change.
My pulse quickens and I become alert when sparrows begin their anxious chorus then fall deadly silent. Without looking, I know they perch themselves, arched and frozen. Seeking to blend in with their surroundings, to avoid the searching gaze of a brown snake who lurks below. I know it is the silent one who mutes the sparrow, chatter does not break when I drift along the road like early morning fog.
Sadly, (for many of us) nature is clipped neatly into slices that fit into a weekend’s back country hiking trip and a fenced in playground, riddled with signs warning us of one hazard or another.
Notes:
What does my little rant have to do with practical matters in your neck of the woods? Nothing really, although I do have a feeling that cycling, being immersed in nature is precisely the solution to so many of the issues that have taken a hold of us.
La Ola
Posted: August 12, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: biking, blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, fitness, freshly pressed, friends, Gravel Worlds, happiness, health, hipster, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, nebraska, Omaha, passion, pilates, running, walking, whole foods, WOD, yoga 5 CommentsLove and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive-
Developing and using our new-found self-compassion does not mean we have to stop working hard and aiming for success, daily. Rather, self-compassion is a change in attitude and can be directly linked with greater well-being as well as outperforming even your wildest dreams. Nor does self-compassion imply self-indulgence. Quick example, an “athlete” who cares about their health and performance will insist on eating properly and putting in the required amount of training, no matter how unpleasant these experiences are for them. Similarly, taking it easy and being kind to ourselves may be appropriate in some (all) situations, although in times of over-indulgence, over-training and utter laziness? Self-compassion involves toughening up and taking responsibility for our actions.
Notes:
By heading-off and preventing the defeating effects of self-criticism, self-compassion allows us to maintain peace of mind, control, allowing us to retain our energy for some cool/fun “things” in life – Energy to put to good use during a 150 mile-ish “Gravel Grinder” event …
CultFit 