Today's Inspiration

Today's Inspirational Quotes:

"Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not quite, the not yet, and the not at all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists. It is real. It is possible. It is yours."

 -- Ayn Rand

“Having the world's best idea will do you no good unless you act on it. People who want milk shouldn't sit on a stool in the middle of a field in hopes that a cow will back up to them.”

 – Curtis Grant

Volleyball Tryouts

Today is the first day of volleyball tryouts.  Good luck to the girls who made as much of an impact on my life than I did on theirs two years ago!

Dave's Blog

There is nothing I love more than someone else's story.  I started my blog as a way to cope with the loss of my dad, and it has evolved into a series of posts about where I am in life.  A friend at Team in Training (she's actually the director) told me to check out Dave's blog.  I don't know Dave or his story, but I found out real quick.  Dave has been battling a rare form of Leukemia for 10 years.  Thinking back ten years ago, I was 18 and getting ready to head to college.  What a difference 10 years can make...

In my last blog post, I said I was going back to school for a nutrition degree.  My mom and I sat down one afternoon to work out the logistics of this decision—cost of tuition, books, fees; where I’d live; types of jobs I could have while putting myself through school, etc.—and we also looked up types of jobs I would search for after becoming a Registered Dietician.  It was a long afternoon and there were a lot of tears, but I finally decided that is not the path for me.  To be in a clinic dealing with patients everyday isn’t my passion.  My interest is more in how food affects the body, and that would take a Masters degree and possibly a PhD to live that so-called dream. 

I have debated going back to school to teach time and time again.  I loved the kids, creating good lessons, and many other things, but the current state of public education is so bad that I can’t put myself through the frustrations of teaching.  Not to mention, my former principal and a good friend both told me that I need to consider myself lucky that I’m out of the classroom.  How can the most important part of our society—the education of children—be so bad?

I auditioned to become a head personal trainer at the number one outdoor fitness camps in Dallas.  Not only did they tell me I’d be a great trainer, I spent two-and-a-half days in Austin learning the business.  But then things got weird, people quit responding, and I didn’t know if they wanted me to be part of their company or not.  I see it now as God’s way of helping me close the door on yet another “dream” that wouldn’t fulfill me in the long run.

So, here I am.  Completely and totally lost.  What’s next?  Where do I go from here?  People have always told me that I am capable of being whoever and whatever I want in my life, but I don't know which way to turn.

And then God smacks me in the face when I read a blog about a man battling cancer.  His optimism is apparent, but what choice does he have?  Fighting cancer is just as much a mental battle as it is physical.  I say this knowing my daddy fought like a champion, as did the rest of his family and friends.  But Dave, the cancer victim for over 10 years, is still fighting, still trying to get through the chemo and the radiation, always thankful for the morning when God gives him another day to live.  I have never met Dave, but I can honestly say he’s one of my heroes.

If you’re feeling down, or you simply want to read about Dave, please visit his blog: http://www.adventureswithleukemia.blogspot.com/ 

I Was Here

Music has always been my therapy.  Lately, "I Was Here" by Lady Antebellum has been my song of choice, so I wanted to share the lyrics.

You will notice me
I'll be leaving my mark like initials carved
In an old oak tree, you wait and see

Maybe I'll write like Twain wrote
Maybe I'll paint like Van Gogh
Cure the common cold, I don't know
But I'm ready start 'cause I know in my heart

I wanna do something that matters, say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better with the time I've been given
I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
Leave nothing less than something that says 'I was here'

I will prove you wrong
If you think I'm all talk, you're in for a shock
'Cause this dream's too strong and before too long

Maybe I'll compose symphonies
Maybe I'll fight for world peace
'Cause I know it's my destiny
To leave more than a trace of myself in this place!

I wanna do something that matters, say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better with the time I've been given
I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
And leave nothing less than something that says ?I was here?

And I know that I, I will do more than just pass through this life
I'll leave nothing less than something that says ?I was here?
I was here

The Funk

I never finished writing about my trip to Solvang.  While I covered the bike ride and the events leading up to it, I left out the fun we had on our day of traveling back to Texas.  We got up at the crack of dawn (no, really!) for the third time in four days, left the hotel at 4:45 a.m., and drove the long, windy, dark roads back to Bob Hope Airport. 

Why didn’t I write about the fun we had on the airplane, the pictures we took in the engine (the plane was off, obviously), and the gambling we did in Las Vegas’ airport?  It’s actually quite simple… the let down of the event being over created a sadness I can't begin to explain.

Yesterday, I came across a quote that said, “”You can’t focus on your Blessings and your Problems at the same time.  The one that has your focus will shape your thinking.”  I am more blessed than I sometimes remember, and this quote reminded me it.  I rode 104-miles in memory of my dad, raised over $5,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and had the best support system I could have ever asked for.  Talk about blessed!  My sister-in-law also sent me a poem she reads often, and it was what I needed to pull me out of my funk.

First Lesson, Philip Booth

Lie back daughter, let your head

be tipped back in the cup of my hand.

Gently, and I will hold you. Spread

your arms wide, lie out on the stream

and look high at the gulls. A dead-

man's float is face down. You will dive

and swim soon enough where this tidewater

ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe

me, when you tire on the long thrash

to your island, lie up, and survive.

As you float now, where I held you

and let go, remember when fear

cramps your heart what I told you:

lie gently and wide to the light-year

stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.

Today, I counting my blessings while I lie gently. 

Solvang Trip- Day 3-- THE CENTURY RIDE!

Saturday morning at 3:30 a.m. came quickly!  No, my alarm wasn’t set to go off at 3:30, but that is about the time I gave up on trying to sleep.  We were supposed to be in the lobby at 5:10 a.m. ready to load the buses, so it was going to be an early morning regardless.

There were a million reasons why I couldn’t sleep.  My mind was racing, I was afraid I was going to miss my alarm, and my daddy was on my mind.  I was reminiscing about the day I decided I wanted to do a Century Ride, and the time when a Navy Seal said “Your body can physically do anything, it’s your mind that stops you from living your dreams.”  How could this adventure be coming to a close?

About 3:45 a.m. is when I got out of bed.  Because I needed to kill some time, I took a shower, did my hair, and put on makeup.  Yes, I was that girl wearing makeup for a 104-mile ride.  My poor tummy was feeling the effects of nervousness, but I choked down a bagel with peanut butter and banana and headed to the lobby.

Unfortunately, Team Texas missed the bus.  By bus, I mean a yellow school bus where we had to put our bikes and bodies.  It was a 30-minute ride to the start line, so the team was forced to hang out in the lobby for the next hour.  A lot of people were upset because they could have gotten another hour of sleep, but I was thankful to be with company.  Seriously, what would I have done with another hour confined to my thoughts?

Mom and Casey planned to be at the start line, so they weren’t very happy when we missed the bus.  They hung out with us in the lobby, taking pictures, making jokes, and practicing some of the stupid P90X moves that Casey’s golfers hate.  I was as hyper as could be with only a couple hours of sleep under my belt and no coffee.

Getting on the bus was amusing.  Each bike got its own bus seat while we had to double up on the other side of the bus.  Once the seats were taken, bikes lined the aisles of the bus.  The 30-minute ride didn’t go fast enough, so when we finally got there, I was ready to go! 

We started as a team, riding in a single file line through the beautiful trees and scenery of Solvang, California.  Somehow, I lost my riding buddy in the pack, but we found each other around mile 10.  It was really foggy and cold, but I knew it wasn’t going to be long before the weather turned beautiful. 

 

Riding up to the first rest stop is probably one of my favorite memories for the entire ride.  Team in Training was well represented and as we rode in; they were cheering loud and proud for Team Texas.  My mom and Casey were there, and Casey had made posters for Misty and me.  I can’t describe the moment simply because I will never do it justice.  Saying that I felt blessed is a huge understatement.

We continued to ride through beautiful and not so beautiful scenery.  At one point, we rode by a landfill, and the nasty fish smell lingered for about five miles.  But, every time we came to a rest stop, there was my mom and Casey as well as other TNT supporters.  As much as I typically dislike spending time at rest stops, I LOVED them in California.  They would have snacks for us, sandwiches, and a thousand encouraging words for motivation.

Mom and Casey also would stop on the side of the road to cheer for us.  They booty-danced to some rap music (a little embarrassing but hilarious) and Casey made up cheers (she was channeling her inner cheerleader) about cycling, 104-miles, and many other things.  She even ran up the huge hill at mile 85 next to me.

By the time mile 95 rolled around, I was starting to get tired.  The sun was starting to set, so the temperatures were getting a little chilly.  But, at the same time, I didn’t want the ride to ever end. I loved every part of the experience, and I wasn’t ready for it to be over. 

I learned a lot through my journey with Team in Training.  Being surrounded by a group of people who had also been affected by Leukemia or Lymphoma helped in the healing process.  Listening to someone give their mission moment every Saturday at practice showed me that I wasn’t alone in the hurt and pain caused by cancer. 

This event was probably the best thing I have ever done.  I smiled through the entire ride because the environment, atmosphere, and people made it so special.  At times, I could hear my dad laughing in my head (as I was climbing hills), and I could feel his presence with me.  I can’t wait to sign up for the next event to keep my daddy’s memory alive and living in me as well as helping fund research to get rid of this terrible disease.

Solvang Trip - Day Two

Friday started after a really long, hard, deep sleep.  Needless to say, we were all exhausted from traveling the day before. 

Because we had to put our bikes back together, Coach David scheduled a practice ride for us.  It was only 10 miles, but it was a chance to make sure we wouldn’t have any bike trouble the next day and to see part of the course.  As we got on a major road (I can’t remember what it is called), I was amazed at the beauty of rolling hills and countryside.  As “city” as I like to say I am, the countryside is really where my heart belongs.

After our ride, Mom, Casey, and I went into Solvang to have lunch.  There really aren’t words to describe Solvang… it’s a small town with a lot to do, and I, once again, loved every part of it.  We settled on a little café where we could eat on the patio.  From where I was sitting, I took a picture of the windmill in the picture below. 

Then we were off to Cambria Winery and Vineyard.  Talk about beautiful!!  It was a 45 minute car ride, but worth every ounce of expensive gas we spent. 

Friday night was the Inspiration Dinner and our last team meeting.  It was a carb-intensive meal, and I was amazed at how much I could actually put in this body.  I think I ended the meal with 2 cookies… or was it 3?  I figured I’d work everything off during the ride, so I ate past the point of being full.

As we had our last team meeting, I was recognized for raising $5,425 when I only had to raise $2,900.  The emotions really started flowing when Nate (the coordinator) presented me with a Team in Training jersey that said “THIS ONE’S FOR DAD.”  All of the team members also signed it, and it was both humbling and overwhelming.  Nate also talked about how this was my first TNT experience since losing my dad, and while it would be difficult, Dad would be proud of me.

By the time I got in bed that night, my mind was racing with memories of my dad and the past year.  I wasn’t afraid of 100-miles, I was ready....