Dear Grandpa (Creative Writing)

This week's writing prompt was: Letter to a Lost Loved OneWrite a letter to someone in your life that has passed away. You can tell that person the things you wish you’d said, tell that person some of the highlights of your life, whatever you want.

----------------------------- Dear Grandpa,

It has been years since you passed away. I trust you are somewhere in the afterlife enjoying Grandma's cooking. I never had the chance to tell you how much you truly meant to me. As I've grown older, I've come to realize that you were the one true father figure in my life...the dad I never had. I was just a teenager, about to turn sixteen, when you died. This knowledge and understanding of what you truly meant to me, were not all that clear to me then.

You taught me so many things, just by being you.

You taught me how to garden, a passion that is near and dear to my heart now. Whenever I see marigolds, I think about the time you showed me how to grow them from seeds. I try to plant marigolds in my garden every year, it's my way of having a little piece of you nearby. I smile every time I see the warm orange or yellow glow of the petals. They represent love, they represent you.

You showed me that with hard work and determination you could run a business and be your own boss. I remember the instant I realized such dreams were possible. I was sitting in your office and spinning around and around on your chair; as eight-year-old's often do when in the presence of a swivel chair! I remember spinning and spinning, looking around at your office. In that moment, I had realized you were the boss. I was in awe and admired you. I wanted that some day.

I also learned that sometimes laughter is the best cure for a bad day or a bad mood. A joke about peaches still manages to bring a smile to my face and to the family's – over 20 years after it was originally told. Your jokes transcend your life on earth.  Whenever one is told, it reminds me of your unrelenting sense of humor.

The most important lesson I learned from you was the overwhelming love you had for family and the willingness to be there for them. Family is life and family is love. You loved your family, you were hardworking, you offered support (emotional and otherwise) when one of your children or grandchildren needed it. The clearest memory I have is when you and Grandma would leave bags of groceries and fresh bagels on our doorstep; back when my mom was a single mother raising three children. Every Wednesday, like clockwork, the bags would be on our door front when we got home from school. You never left a note or mentioned it to us, but mom knew. We knew.  I was only about 6 or so..for me I was just happy to get fresh bagels! Looking back, that was just one very clear example of helping family. I am grateful.

Years later we visited you in Florida. By this time, you had been diagnosed with cancer. We were visiting around your birthday and you ended up in the hospital. We gathered around you in the hospital and sang happy birthday to you. We had learned from you,that family doesn't just mean to be around in the good times, but the hard times too.

When you passed away, I cried. I was sad, but the loss really hits home more now that I older.  You were an amazing person, father and grandfather. Yes, as a human I am sure you had made mistakes in your life. But, as far as I am concerned the good most certainly outweighed the bad.

I like to think that you are somewhere in the sky looking after us and we are making you proud. You helped mold me into the woman I am today. I am so very proud to have had a chance to know you and call you my grandfather.

I miss you and I love you.

My First Hi-Res Photo Monday Post (Free Download)

I have been doing a lot of creative exploration lately - first by finding my writing voice again, next through stop motion video and finally by starting a video podcast. Expect more from me in all of those areas. However, another creative outlet I've always wanted to experience was photography. I don't mean iPhone camera photography. Although I have seen some pretty fantastic images taken on today's smartphones, not taking anything away from the awesome iPhone photographers out there!   I wanted to experience what it was like to take photos with a camera, use various lenses and express myself in a completely new way. On somewhat of a whim, I purchased a Canon DSLR camera. I got it last week and have had photography on my brain ever since. In fact, anything I look at now is a photo. It's a little unsettling, quite frankly. But, in a good way! Today when I awoke, I was trying to decide what to write about as my blog post this week. That is when I started connecting the dots. I have lots and lots of photos. So many, that I won't know what to do with all of them. I also committed (to myself) to write at least one blog post a week.  That's when High Resolution Photo Mondays was born. Every Monday, I will post a hi-res image I shot the week before. You can download it, use it on your website, in a flyer or as the background for your computer.  It's my gift to you! Attribution is encouraged, of course. ;)

Below are two versions of the same photo. It was taken at a lake nearby. I shared the Grayscale one on Facebook and it was unofficially voted as the top favorite. This is why I decided to share it on the blog.  Enjoy!

Click on the image to open the high-resolution version in a new window.

Footprints in the Snow - Color Footprints in the Snow - Grayscale
FootprintsinsnowColor FootprintsinsnowBW

Why Digital Media Management?

I wanted to take this opportunity  to tell you what digital media management means to me and why I offer it as a service. What is Digital Media: Digital media is anything a person, company or brand places on web for the purpose of connecting with others. I have been creating podcasts, videos and web content and connecting with people since 2008!

My Personal Preference (for my business):  I produce podcasts, write short stories,  and create YouTube videos. They are my media of choice because they allow me to express myself in such a way that connects to the people that I want drawn to me - my audience or prospective ideal clients.  The digital media I prefer also provides me with various outlets for my consistent creative energy.

Your Preference: When it comes to digital media, select something that allows you to put your best self forward, a medium that you enjoy and can get across the message that you intend.

Value & Powerful Marketing Tool: I know firsthand the value digital media holds for a business. Prospective clients see, hear and watch your digital media content. It gives them insight as to who you are and what you do. It helps them connect with you, way before you even have your first consultation.  Back when I was producing my podcast, A Virtual Perception, I had countless people contact me for podcast and audio help - all because they happened to hear an episode of the show. They got to know me through the podcast and experienced my product (the podcast), firsthand.  Talk about a powerful marketing tool!

Digital Media Management and You: I am passionate about helping you maneuver the realm of online content. You don't have to got at it alone!  If you are struggling with podcasting, posting to your blog or getting that Mailchimp email to look just right, stop. Hand the reigns over to me and relieve yourself of the stress! Helping you with your digital media is my passion and I look forward to assisting you!

The Worst Day (Creative Writing)

Writing Prompt for this short story was: Note on your Car - There’s a note on the windshield of your car. The note says, “I’ve taken your most prized possession. If you want to see it again, intact, meet me tonight at baseball field around the corner of the local high school. And bring your glove.” What makes this note so curious is that you’ve never played baseball, though you take no chances because your most prized possession is extremely valuable to you. Write this scene. ------------------------------------------------

Today was shaping up to be the worst day of my life. I had woken up late and stumbled into the bathroom, only to realize there wasn't any hot water. I had forgotten to call the plumber for hot water heater service the day prior…crap. I had to endure the worst shower of my life; it was like standing naked in front of a fan pelting ice cubes at my body.

Because I was running late, I had to skip getting my morning coffee. If you think that’s bad, what happened once I got to work – well, it was just icing on top of the fan-freaking-tastic day I was already having. I had just set my laptop bag on the top of my desk when my boss, Joe, asked me to come into his office. I obliged, of course, and followed him into this office.

“Have a seat, Laura.” He said.

I sat down on the chair facing his desk. It was very small and made of white resin. Almost like a child's chair. It did not have any cushion either, so I kept shifting my butt from side to side in order to get comfortable. No luck.

“Laura, there isn't really any way to break this to you easily, but we have to let you go. It has nothing to do with you and is strictly a business decision. I am sorry… you don’t have to finish out the day. You can go home now.”

I sat there for a moment, shocked. Hell, I had thought he had called me into the office about the advertising project we were working on. I still hadn’t moved when Joe cleared his throat… and nodded sullenly to me. Basically code for – “You can go, now. This is awkward enough.”

I had slowly gotten up from the chair and left his office. I grabbed my laptop bag from what used to be my desk and high-tailed it out of the office. I bumped into a few people as I made my way to the stairs, mumbling, “Sorry,” as I passed. I finally made it to the stairs and took them two-at-a-time down to the first floor. I flung the door open and stepped out into the cool air of the corridor and turned towards the exit.

The air outside was hot and clammy. The bad morning slowly fading behind me, I began walking towards my car, trying to think about what I was going to do next. As I approached my car, I noticed something white on the windshield. As I got closer, I saw that it was a piece of paper. Freaking great, a parking ticket, I thought. It wasn’t a parking ticket though, it was far worse.

It was a note that read:

“I’ve taken your most prized possession. If you want to see it again, intact, meet me at the baseball field around the corner. And, bring your glove.”

I looked into my car and immediately noticed what was missing.  “Dammit,” I said out loud.

Unfortunately, I did not own a baseball glove. The best I could find was a pair of mittens stuffed inside of my glove compartment. They would have to do. I hopped into the driver’s seat; mittens stuffed inside of my pockets and started up the engine. At first the car didn't start. I began to panic, thinking that my car battery was dead. Fortunately, the engine roared to life on my second try. I slowly pulled out of the parking lot and made my way to the baseball field around the corner.

This morning I had woken up late, was forced to take a cold shower, showed up at work without my morning coffee and was fired; I was not  going to let some jerk-face get off with taking my most-prized possession. No way in hell that was going to happen!

I made it to the field and pulled into the first parking space I could find. I jumped out of the car and slammed the door, hard. The sound echoed throughout the park. I looked around; the park was almost empty except for someone far off in the distance, standing in the outfield, just behind second base.

“Is that the creep?” I thought.  And, then another thought came to me… I didn't tell anybody what happened or where I was going. What if this person truly was a creep, intent on attacking me or worse?

“Hey!” the person yelled and nodded towards me.

“Did you bring your glove?”

It was, indeed, the creep. I couldn't see him because the sun was too bright. He was taller than I was and wore a hat. I couldn't make out his face. It was like a shadowed man standing in the outfield, somewhat sinister looking, at least to me.

I stepped onto first base. “I don’t have a glove, but I have some catching…er..um…mitts?” I mumbled.

“I am prepared”, I said more loudly and with confidence.

I pulled the mittens out of my coat pockets and made a show of putting them on. For effect, I punched my right hand into my left palm when I was done, like you see boxers do right before stepping into a boxing ring. “Let’s do this.” I said.

What the hell was wrong with me? Why on earth was I encouraging this idiot?

“Good! I got your most prized possession right here. All you have to do is catch it. Ready?”

And with that, the creep threw my Rambo Bobblehead towards me.

“Nooooooooooooooo”, I shouted. As Rambo Bobblehead  catapulted towards me, his head shook back and forth as if trying to decide his fate, “Yessss, she is going to catch me!” and then, “Noooo, I am doomed!”

“Rambo, I will not let you down.” I whispered. As he made his way towards me from across the field, I rooted my feet to the ground and got into a squat for some leverage. I reached my hands out towards him. As he landed into my  hands, I felt his head stop shaking.  I caught him! It was an absolute miracle.  He was safe!

“You jackass!” I screamed towards the creep behind second base, but he was gone. What the hell?

I cupped Bobblehead Rambo, as I so adoringly referred to him, in my hands and looked into his eyes. I began to cry.

My brother Todd had given me the bobblehead just before being sent overseas to Iraq. His last words to me were, “You are one tough woman, Laura. Don’t forget it. When in doubt look at Bobblehead Rambo, remember who you are. Then, kick ass and take names. See you soon sis.”

With that, he had given me a hug and left. A few months ago, we received word that the aircraft he was in during a mission crashed and they don't believe there were any survivors. However, because they could not locate the aircraft, my brother is currently listed as missing in action. While today hadn’t been a good day, the day we got that news was the worst day of my life. I miss my brother so very much. He was my best friend. Bobblehead Rambo is how I connect with him, in my own silly way. If I had lost bobblehead, oh god, I just can’t fathom the thought.

I look around one last time, the field is deserted. I make my way back to my car. There is a note on the windshield.

It reads, “Laura…I felt like you needed to be reminded of how strong you truly can be when the chips are down. You have it in you to fight for what you believe. Kick ass and take names.”

Exploring Stop Motion Video

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I watched the movie, The Box Trolls. Stop motion animation has always intrigued me; the work that goes into one tiny movement, it's amazing. The movie got me wondering if I could do it (on a much smaller scale, of course). I gave it a try a couple of weeks ago. My first video can be seen here. It's kind of "meh.". While I have a lot (like a lot) to learn, it was still fun trying! And, I've decided to keep it up. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to see my progress. Comment on this post if you have any topic ideas for future videos! Here is my second attempt:

Junglonia

Recently, my friend wrote a post on her blog. It was a short story she came up with from a writing prompt and I really enjoyed reading it! It got me thinking though. Where had my creativity gone? It's been a while since I wrote anything creative, in fact. So I decided to take her prompt as a prompt to me to get my creative juices flowing.  I ended up spending about 2 hours last evening, hunkered down in front of my laptop writing the piece that follows. It's far  from perfect, but for the sake of keeping up with my blog, I wanted to get it out and posted.

Writing Prompt:  As a child, you and your best friend made a pact to go on an real fantasy adventure. After growing up, starting your separate lives and families, and losing touch, one day he/she bursts into your office, throwing you a sword and insists you accompany them.

--------------------

The door bursts open; staring at me is Jonathan, my childhood friend. His hair is a mess and he looks at me with wild eyes.

I haven't seen him in years, but he looks exactly like the last time I saw him. In fact, he looks to be wearing the same black and red flannel shirt, blue jeans and beanie hat he had on at his going away party, over 10 years ago. I remember it clearly, because he was getting ready to go off to Princeton. We joked that he looked like he should be going to university in some hipster town like Portland or Seattle, instead. Funny how some things never change.

Then I realize although his outfit is the same, he is carrying a sword in one hand and strapped to his waist is some sort of utility belt. On the belt I see a small blade and a stone attached to a string. How puzzling.

He throws the sword towards me and says, "Rob, take this. We have to go, quickly! There is no time to waste."

My sword catching skills are lacking, so rather than reach my hand out to grasp it, I jump away. It falls to the floor with a loud clatter.

Without hesitation, Jonathan picks it up and mutters, "This is not going to be as easy as I had imagined."

He steps towards me, takes my hand and says, "Here, take this." He places the sword into my palm. It feels cold and heavy. It is much heavier than one would imagine a sword to be.  I almost drop it, but don't.

"Is that all you have to wear?" he asks.

Looking at my reflection in my large corner office window, I take note of my attire. I have on a blue Calvin Klein suit, shiny gray tie and black winged-tip shoes. After college, I worked my way up the corporate ladder and am now a CEO of a Fortune 500 company. I take my job seriously and that includes dressing the part.

"No, I do not. Jonathan, what is this all about? I am very busy, I haven't seen you in years and quite frankly, do not appreciate being bombarded at work like this."

"If the situation were not dire, Rob, I would not have come. Believe me. What will it take for you to come with me?"

"I am not going anywhere until you tell me what this is all about."

He sighs. "Fine, I’ll try to give you the abridged story…for the sake of time.” He looks at me for approval to continue.

"Go on..." I say.

"This is going to sound completely crazy, but please hear me out. It all started 10 years ago, the night of my going away party. After everyone had left our house, my parents went to bed. I was still wide awake from drinking one too many Red Bulls that night, so I decided to play Minecraft. I had just started to create a new world when all of a sudden I heard this loud bang from downstairs. I ignored it at first, thinking it was just Jax. You remember, Jax, our Jack Russell Terrier?" He continues on, not waiting for a response.

"Well, then I heard it again. A loud, BANG! So I put down my Xbox controller and decided to investigate. I turned on the lights in the upstairs hallway and approached the staircase slowly, listening for any noise from the floor below. It was eerily quiet. I took a very step slowly onto the top the staircase. I stood there for a moment, determining whether or not I should descend.  My stomach growled. Deciding I could use a snack, I figured I may as well get something to eat and check out the noise."

"I started going down the stairs, this time hopping them two at a time. Just as I reached the last stair, the banging started again. Only this time it felt like the entire house shook. And, then it happened again."

“BANG!”

"It was someone or something banging on the front door. BANG! The bang was so loud; a vase on the entryway table fell and crashed to the ground. I tried calling for my parents. But all that came out of by mouth were a few gasps. I was freaked the hell out, man."

"Then it happened, once more..one final...BANG! The front door flew open and what I saw... I still can't believe it. It was like something out of Jumanji, man. Instead of looking across the street at Mr. and Mrs. Peterson's old white Victorian house, I saw a jungle. Not just saw a jungle, I felt it, smelled it and heard it."

"There were sounds of baboons screeching, birds singing and the soft rustle of rain dripping from the tree tops. The smell…It was a mixture of early morning dew and sweetness, like Starburst candy. Yes, man like freaking rain and candy.  And it was hot, but not NJ humid hot. Warm, but inviting. That's when I realized I had to be dreaming. I must have fallen asleep while playing Minecraft. And then, I heard her voice..."

"Jonathan...please help me." It was like a whisper floating to me from the clouds. "Please, I need your help." The voice beckoned me to follow. Well, I figured I was dreaming, so why the hell not? After all, maybe it was a hot chick. I stepped across the doorway into the deep, dark, sweet smelling, and sauna-like jungle. BANG! The door front door closed behind me. And as it did, vines, moss and weeds quickly swallowed the front door to my childhood home."

I look at my watch and cough. Jonathan stops talking.  I think Jonathan's gone mad. Either he has gone off the deep end or he is hooked on drugs. Either way, my childhood friend has been through some pretty heavy stuff over the years.

"Jonathan, it's been great seeing you. Really. Your story..well, uh it's unbelievable."

He cuts me off, "But, I am not done. There's more."

"I don't need to hear another word. Jonathan, I am really a very busy man. I hope you don't mind me being blunt. I can recommend a good therapist or even an addiction program. You’re an old friend, whatever I can do to help in that way, I am happy to do so."

"Rob, I am NOT crazy. I am not a druggie. Hell, sometimes I wish either one of those were the case. But no, for the last 10 years I've been stuck in an alternate jungle universe where a beautiful princess needed my help. That voice that beckoned me forth, it wasn't a hot chick. It was an evil troll. It tricked me to leave my home and venture into the deep dark jungle.”

God damn, he is certifiably insane, I realize.

He continues on…

“He captured me and held me prisoner in a cage made of vines, for months. Months! He rarely acknowledged my existence. He talked to himself a lot and laughed. I was freaking a prisoner to a troll! Then one day a man with a sword showed up. He told the troll he would trade a beautiful princess in exchange for me. And man, was she beautiful. She had long black hair, skin as white as pearls, soft pink lips and damn her body was banging. The troll couldn't believe his luck and he agreed to make the trade. The man took his sword and slashed through my cage made of vines. I fell to the ground. He gave the princess over to the troll, turned to me and said, "Let's get out of here...fast." He ran towards the jungle and I followed after him."

"Wait, stop!" the stranger said to me, "Look."

"We kneeled behind jungle brush and watched the troll with his new captive."

"Uggghhh...  aren'ta you a beautiful huuman." the troll said.

"The princess just stood and stared at him without saying a word. I remember thinking how odd, she didn't even seem scared or all that concerned. The troll started laughing, hard. I guess he couldn't believe his luck. Then, it happened. A dark green mist started rolling into the troll's den and surrounded the beautiful princess. It completely engulfed her, her black hair, translucent skin, pink lips and awesome body disappeared. Then just as quickly as the mist rolled it, it rolled out.

However, when it did...the princess was gone too. In her place was a large boulder dressed up to look like a woman...it had twigs for hair and a face drawn on it -- it looked like something a five year old would have drawn.

I then heard laughter beside me...but it wasn't from a man. No, it was laughter from a woman. Not just any woman, it was the princess."

"What the hell?" I whispered.

She laughed some more and said, "Come on, let's go before the troll comes after us."

"But..."

"Come on..."she giggled.

I cut Jonathan off. "This is taking much too long..."

"Ok, ok. I'll speed things up. Turns out this chick was some sort of magical princess. Her father, the king of Junglonia, had been captured and a curse was put on him. It turned him into a stone. The only way to reverse the curse was to kill the evil wizard. The thing is, the evil wizard wasn’t that easy to kill. The only way to kill the evil him was for two men from an alternate universe to pierce his heart with two sterling silver, magical swords. Moira, the princess, and I have been searching for months to finds the swords. We finally did. You are holding one of them.  I then needed to find a way back here to get you."

"Me? What are you talking about?"

"You know, two men from an alternate universe? That's you and me, man. Like from our childhood adventure pact, remember? Somehow, some way, the adventure is real, dude.  I need your help. Moira needs your help. Her father, the king, needs our help!"

"Whoa. That is enough!" I yell.

"I don't know what has happened to you in 10 years. But, I have a life now. I have a very important job, a family, children and many people depend on me. We had a great childhood together, but whatever you are mixed up in, I want nothing to do with it. I can't have it. Please, leave."

"Rob, please, we need your help. I love her.. Moira. I fell in love with her. That's why I never tried to leave. But, time is running out. If we don't kill the evil wizard in two days time, her father will remain a stone forever. Just take my hand, I'll show you." He steps towards me.

"No! Leave!" I walk towards my office door and thrust it open without looking.

All of a sudden I feel warm air, smell something sweet and hear water trickling. I turn towards the door and cannot believe my eyes.

There before me is a jungle. Just like in Jonathan's story. How can this be? Did he somehow slip me LSD or something?

"What the hell?" I whisper.

"Rob, please we need your help..." a female voice whispers.  "Please..." It gets louder, until standing before me, with the jungle behind her is a beautiful woman. So beautiful she takes my breath away.

She is wearing a green dress, looks to have been made of leaves and twigs; her hair is long, dark and lustrous. But it's her eyes, there is something in them; a mixture of grief, hope and love.

"Please come with us. You’re our only hope."

I look from her to Rob, who is still standing in my office. The difference between my office and the world beyond my office door does not befool me. Do I defy all logic and step over into the jungle and go on this wild trip (drug trip, for all I know) with Jonathan or stay in my expensively decorated corner office, crunching numbers for the 1st quarter budget?

Maybe I am dreaming, I think. Yes, that has got to be it! I really didn’t sleep all that well last night.  If so, stepping over to the jungle side can't hurt...right? And, I'd be accompanied by a hot chick and my childhood friend. Why not?

"Jonathan, I bet I am dreaming."

He smiles at me, knowingly.

I step through my office doorway into the jungle, in my Calvin Klein suit and wing-tipped shoes, magical sword in hand..."Let's have that adventure."

"I never thought you'd say that. Come on, this way!" Rob yells.

As I start to follow, my office door bangs shut behind me. It is quickly swallowed up by vines and jungle brush... to be seen no more.

It's me, again

It's been quite some time since I posted something on my blog or on my website. So first, "Hey, how are you doing?" Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, let's get real. I haven't posted in a while for a few reasons. The main reason being that I wanted to take a step back from posting on the web. My husband and I are looking to start a family and as a future mom, I just felt like I needed to take a step back from sharing (and sometimes perhaps over-sharing) with essentially the whole word. I still feel that way, but I think I've also lost a little bit of myself over the last several months and attribute that a lot to suppressing my creativity. I stopped writing.

I stopped podcasting.

I stopped volunteering.

It's not all bad, of course. I started going to the gym a lot, continued running and threw myself head first into starting a family with my husband. Get your mind out of the gutter, we are adopting. Not bad things by a mile. In fact, all three of those things do make me happy! But, I am predominantly a "right-brain" kind of girl and also someone that likes to help others. Podcasting, writing and volunteering were my outlets for doing just that. I guess life just got the best of me and time for all of those things got pushed to the side. I know once baby is here, that will happen yet again, of course.

However, I feel like I need to get some of that mojo back. Which is why I decided writing via my blog worked for me in the past, lets give it a go one more time...with feeling. We'll see how things go.  Don't expect my posts to have any kind of theme or schedule. In fact, some days they may not even make sense.

This is me taking another stab at writing and being creative. I will do my best to write for you as that's the main point for having a blog. I hope you want to come along on this new journey. It should be an interesting and enlightening one.

 

Top Secrets

Facebook is all a flutter with…“XX number of things you don't know about me,” updates. I have no real idea why, probably another one of those viral private messages going around. Since I am not a cool kid, I truly have no idea!   I decided, “Why not make a few unknown things about me blog post?”   So here it goes:

    1. In 2007, I was *this close* to going to culinary school in New York to become a pastry chef.
    2. I can be overly dramatic.
    3. I am very shy in-person. But, give me a microphone at a Karaoke Bar and I’ll belt out a tune like no tomorrow.
    4. I admire both of my brothers for their artistic ability. One draws like nobody’s business and the other designs and builds the most amazing homes and home improvements.
    5. I never really wanted to be a hair stylist growing up, but the idea of it was still cool. I often tried to mimic my mother’s talent for hair design by chopping off all of the hair on my Barbie dolls. I also "colored" one of my Ken dolls' hair (brown) with a magic marker. I had one blonde Ken and one brunette Ken. I thought that was the coolest thing ever.
    6. I am easily amused.
    7. I am a book nerd. I’d much rather read a book than play video games, watch tv or anything else people do for fun.  Reading is fundamental. I love it.
    8. I love ice cream. Not just love. I mean I LOVE ice cream. Vacations are not vacations without ice cream. Dinner is not dinner without dessert. And, dessert has to be ice cream.
    9. I am very comfortable with technology, the internet and computer software. But, I still have trouble using the television remote.

Seven Months of Running

If you know me personally or have spent any time on my blog, you probably know I've started running over the last several months. For my husband and I, race season has officially ended for the year. The weather is getting colder and quite frankly – we're cold weather sissies. In fact, I usually start wearing gloves in October. You'd think after living on the East Coast our entire lives, we'd get used to it. Nope. So, over the next few months we'll continue to run in the warm solitude of our home, on the treadmill. Of course, we'll probably venture out on weekends to do our usual long run at the park; with proper cold weather gear in tow.

A few fun facts about our first seven months of running:

  • We've completed a total of 5 races (4 together and one each on our own).
  • We both had personal bests and beat the time of our first run.
  • My first two races I was super hard on myself and focused so much on time, I psyched myself out. By race number three I learned to take a chill pill and enjoy the stride.
  • We had a blast!
  • We can't wait to do it again.
  • We plan to step up our game in 2014.
  • And, the biggie? We have committed to doing the NYC Marathon.

 

Running ain't easy, but it sure is fun.

Before I dive into this post. I need to set the ambiance. First, go grab a 1980's headband and put it on. You know the type, something Olivia Newton John would have worn in her "Let's Get Physical" video.  If you don't have one, that's okay. Just use your imagination and pretend it's on your head. Go on, work with me here. It will be worth it. Trust me. Now, open your window wide. Breathe in deeply, really getting some fresh air into your lungs. You are almost ready. Now.just.click.play:

Yes! Do you feel it? That rush of excitement? Are you smiling? I hope so. Because that is exactly how I felt the first time I completed my first 5K.

I've always wanted to be a runner. For years I thought I couldn't do it. In fact, over the last couple of years my mind was running with excuses as to why I should not to run. "Oh, I have bad knees," I would say. Or, "I am too freaking fat to run." Excuses, excuses, excuses.

Last year my husband and I participated in a 5K walk. Before the walk, there was a 5K run. As we watched the runners make their way through the finish line, we looked at each other and vowed right then and there to participate again in 2013, but we would run instead. When my husband brought it up in March of this year, I was back to making excuses again.

This time it was, "Oh, I tried running last year. I decided I didn't like it." Yes, I decided I didn't like running. Wrong, I decided I wanted to be lazy. Running is hard work. I didn't know if I was up for it. That's the honest truth. Shame.on.me.

Some time in April, while walking on the treadmill I got inspired. Maybe it was a day in which I was pushing my walking pace into higher gear. Whatever it was, I decided at that very moment, I was going to train to run a 5K.

 

I set out to become a runner.  I completed my first 5K on June 9th. My time, speed and place were terrible. The good news is, I didn't finish last. The even better news?  I completed it.  I set out to complete a goal and I did it. Awesome. I remember getting teary eyed. An entire onslaught of emotions hit me. Fast. Then it was over and I was already thinking about the next race!

Fast forward to July 2013 - our next 5k  race: Glutton for punishment? Maybe. But I had something to prove. That I could beat my time, but more importantly that I could do it again. I didn't beat my time, but gosh darnit, I completed my second 5K race. I enjoyed every second of it. The feeling of running on an airport runway - spectators telling me I can do it, that I am awesome and clapping me into the finish. Just amazing.

Running is still hard work. I am not going to lie.  I am neither a fast runner nor a good runner, yet. I still run, at least 3 times a week. Some days it sucks and I want to stop. But, I don't. I keep going.

Next up? The Survival Race in September. It's a 5K race and mud run with obstacles. For me, this race is less about running and more about challenging myself. We'll do another 5K race later in the month (yes, another one!).

Life is meant to be lived, we are meant to challenge ourselves in so many ways. Running takes a lot of determination to succeed. But the benefits far exceed any temporary huffing and puffing I experience along the way. If everything in life were easy - what fun would it be? Running has affected me both physically and mentally - all for the better.

My advice, challenge yourself to do something you've always wanted to do. Stop making excuses as to why you can't. You might surprise yourself. I know I did. I am now looking forward to 10Ks  next year and a marathon in the years to come.

Happy Trails!

Being happy and present "in the now"

A few weeks ago, as I was getting prepared for vacation, I had an epiphany of sorts. Actually, I finally decided to be at peace with my life and to be grateful for the here and now. Easier said than done. Let me explain. In 2008 I had started my own business. It was a major accomplishment  for me. Having my own business was something I had always dreamed of and when I turned 30-years old I stopped dreaming. I started doing. Having my business opened so many doors for me, allowed me to learn new skills, meet amazing people (of whom I still stay in touch with today) and even helped me find a passion for podcasting. Who knew?

Two years into my business I was offered an amazing opportunity working full-time for one my then clients. Actually, it must have been written in the stars or something, because it was an offer from my first and favorite client. I know you shouldn't say out loud that you have a favorite client, kind of like, you can't say you have a favorite kid. We can just keep it on the down low. Ok? All kidding aside, I really liked the work this client sent me and working with the other individuals that did business with the company made me feel like I was making a difference somehow. So it was an easy decision, in a sense, to accept the opportunity.  It's now three years later and I am still with the company. Awesomeness.

The funny thing is - for the last 3 years - I've secretly questioned if the decision was right for my professional growth. The question continued to be at the forefront for the longest time, as I watched many of my business associates achieving great successes by leaps and bounds.  Part of me wondered, could I have been that successful if I had stuck with my business? Am I a sell out? A worry-wart by nature, the thoughts really started to take a toll.

In fact, I found myself trying to think of products, books or podcasts I could produce to try to achieve some kind of level of success similar to that of my business cohorts. Keeping up with the Jones' is never a good thing, at least I believe so. In fact, I am usually the first person to tell someone to "March to the beat of their own drum."  Alas, there I was ignoring my own advice.

Then two weeks ago, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I am freaking happy and I am successful. It may not be the same type of success as my old pals and associates, but it is success. I truly enjoy my job and the people I work with day in and day out. That in and of itself spells success.  In addition to that I have a few hobbies that keep my creative side happy and fulfilled. I am active, healthy and love my family and husband dearly.  Basically, I had my very own self-aware wake-up call. It was actually pretty darn amazing.

Sure, I still have goals I'd like to accomplish.. but they are my own goals and have nothing to do with measuring up to the success of others. Speaking of which, to all my business pals that have grown by leaps and bounds - my hat is tipped off to you. You are amazing, I am absolutely happy for you and cheer you on any chance I get.

This post is a reminder to take a look at your life, be grateful for all of the good things and know it's ok to be happy for those things. Everyone has their own definition of success, if you are stacking yourself up against someone else right now, stop. Be happy and present in the now. You owe it to yourself to do so.