“How long is a half-marathon again?” I inquired.

“13.1 miles.”

“Only,” I replied sarcastically, “13.1 miles.”  And then, “at least I have good shoes.”

I left her home that evening with a little seed planted in my heart and my mind opened to possibilities.  So, I started to do research.  I asked several of my running friends for tips (which they offered freely and for which I am soooooo thankful!!!!).  I looked up training schedules.  I read, scheduled, ran, and committed myself to this endeavor.  But I still wondered….

My training went a little like this:  Day 1–run 30 minutes; Day 2–rest; Day 3–run 30 minutes; Day 4–a brisk walk; Day 5–rest; Day 6–run a specified distance; Day 7–rest.  Week in, week out, mileage on Day 6 increasing every two weeks.  About seven to nine weeks into my training, my friend and I started looking at schedules to sign up for our half.  And I still wondered….

Well, with encouraging text messages, rocking music, Facebook posts, phone calls, and with sacrifices and support of my family, I was able to get to race day.  I awakened early (like 3 a.m.), which was probably good because I wouldn’t have slept well anyway, and traveled to where I rode a bus up to the starting line.  Unfortunately, our bus driver kept going…and going…and going…(and let me tell ya, riding a bumpy bus at 4:00 a.m. is motivation enough for me to run back to where my car is so I can get home…but I digress).  ”Aren’t you running the full marathon?” the bus driver asked after we had driven for awhile.

“No,” came emphatically from a bus full of half marathon runners.  So she turned around and got us safely to the starting line.  Then, we waited…and stretched…and waited…and hydrated…and waited…as I still wondered….

Finally, we were ready.  The starting time had come, and we were still in line for the bathroom.  So, we took off asap and headed on our journey.  At times, I felt a rush of energy.  Other moments were full of pain.  Some times I felt so emotional looking at the beauty of the world around me and the clouds above me, floating and wispy in the blue.  At some point, I gave into the voice that I couldn’t do it any longer as I struggled with an out-of-joint hip on one side and a twisted ankle on the other.  My friend would remind me, “you can do this!” and I would make it a few more steps.  My sister would text me, and I’d go a little farther.  Then, everything went numb (except my emotions).  My friend had encouraged me to finish strong, but I didn’t know if I had anything left to give.  I tried and I tried, and finished running across the finish line.  The volunteer put a medal around my neck.  I had finished!!!!

I don’t wonder any more if I can run a half marathon.   I have done it.  Thanks to the help of family, friends, and personal determination, I made it to the finish line.  After this week, when I lost my first toe nail as a result of one of my longer runs, I can declare, “It was worth it!”  I have run a half marathon.  And I am a better person because of it.

I had another of those “aha” moments this week. We have adopted a friend whose husband passed away and her family lives far away, so she needed to have a family here. We became that family. She called me Monday morning to ask me to take her to the doctor. I live an hour away from her, but the timing of her appointment was such that I could go to her house and get her to the doctor on time.

After the doctor appointment, it is our custom to go to lunch. She always takes home the extra to eat for dinner. This way, she has two meals that she doesn’t have to prepare when she is not feeling well. We did this on Monday.

As we were driving home, she apologized for “bothering me.” I assured her that she didn’t bother me and then the absolute truth poured out, “I just love you.” She knew it was true. I knew it was true. It was an empowering moment.

There is a song which speaks about remembering a moment in our life. This was one of those moments that I will remember and treasure.

Love is empowering. As we share our love and give our time and attention to others, they are empowered. Who will you empower today just by showing love?

Thomas Leonard said, “Love is a way to gift yourself to others.” I have thought about the gifts of others I have received in my life through their loving words and actions. I had a friend who would bring dinners to my family, sometimes when I was sick or others were not feeling well. Sometimes, she would bring me dinner for no reason at all. I had another friend who always remembered my birthday. One day, I came home to a big balloon bouquet at my front door. I have friends who call and chat. I have friends who support me when life is hard. I have family and friends who show love to me in countless ways.

I have thought about how I could give more gifts of myself through loving words and actions. My resolve is to be more purposeful in showing my love for others. It is empowering!

Well, having friends brings great joy. Friendship is kinda like motherhood…it’s hard but so much fun; you learn give-and-take, when to speak and when to listen, when to hug and when to hold back, when to offer advice and when to allow the other person to figure it out, when to hang on and when to let go, when to laugh and when to cry.

I enjoy my friends who are positive influences, who are people I can talk to, and who call me on my behavior when I get a little out of hand…! I have friends I live close to (like my friends across the street) and friends I live far away from geographically. I have friends who have varied interests, come from varied backgrounds, have contrasting skin colors, religions, political convictions, families, and careers, but they are all my friends.

This last week, I have found myself in conversation with four wonderful women in my life. Though I do not see them often, they are a part of my life; though we miss the details and day-to-day of each other’s existences, they are still very close to my heart.

A few weeks ago, I thought that one of them might be upset with me. I couldn’t figure out a sound reason (but, as some friendships go, sometimes you don’t need a “sound” reason). My heart broke. Our friendship occupied my thoughts. I didn’t know what to do. My whole week felt “off.” Then, the reconnection was sweet. As bitter as my sadness was to think I had lost a good friend, so was my time laughing and speaking with her as joyful and flavorful as dinner from The Cheesecake Factory.

So–my Monday challenge to you this week as we conclude this month of love is to reach out to your friends–especially reconnecting with someone you haven’t seen or spoken with for awhile. Your reward will be more than the riches of the world…I promise. Will you do it? Let me know….

How often does an inconvenience or negative experience help us in a positive way? Anthony J. D’Angelo said: “Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”

How do we do this you ask?
 

1. Focus on the good things in your life. I overheard a conversation recently between two people who were having difficult struggles. One said, “No matter what else is going on, we really have a good life.” As we look at the good things around us, we are able to remember to be happy.

2. Record your gratitude. Being grateful for the good things in life, helps us stay positive. Each day, record at least 5 things for which you are grateful that day. Keep the list in your journal or planner so you can refer to it often.
 

3. Spend time with those you love. Being with our family and friends helps us to stay focused on the good things in our life. Surrounding yourself with love just makes you feel good.

4. Make a list of your accomplishments and the good things about you. Looking realistically at who you are and what you have accomplished is a good thing. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a religious leader, said: “…It may seem odd to think of having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can’t get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves. May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God’s creations…” As you spend time with yourself, you can find peace.

So, back to cleaning the kitchen. The kitchen is the center of our home. We gather for meals together, we prepare those meals together and we clean up together. But, sometimes, usually early in the morning when the house is still quiet, I clean the kitchen and spend time with myself. Ahhh, the joy of cleaning the kitchen…

I sat in a friend’s living room last evening, and over a delicious bowl of bread pudding, we watched our children around her dog.  The dog would brush his tail against the children, and then he would lie down on the rug while they would reach out to pet him.  When he rose each time, the children on either side of him would look toward each other and giggle.  Their laughter was contagious.  My friend and I laughed just watching their simple joy.

One of my children has a particularly high amount of energy, which can lead to some issues when the child doesn’t feel loved and accepted.  Lately, this child has found a friend among one of his or her siblings.  Having this friend has made a huge difference in the life of this child, and the sibling who reached out to the child has also benefited from their relationship.

Another child has shown particular attention to apology and forgiveness.  This child still shows emotion, and sometimes will act with force or anger, but–once the moment passes–the child shows great remorse, along with an almost immediate “I’m sorry” accompanied by a sign of affection like a hug or gentle kiss on the cheek.

As I watch their examples of love, laughter, friendship, and forgiveness, I am in awe.  I want to be like them, and I wonder what I can do to find more joy in my journey through life.

What lessons do you learn from your children?  What helps you become more like them?

As I watched the two characters, played by Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey, I wondered if I, two, would have a friendship that would see me through years of ups and downs, marriage and children, love, loss, and life. (Just so you know, I have.) I loved to hear and sing the music, and I would always weep through the final rendition of “The Glory of Love.”

So–I was singing along with my Barbara Striesand Pandora station (my mother loved her…and I still love to sing along with her…it reminds me of singing with my mother), and guess what song played after Barbara’s cover of “Moon River”?!?!?! Yep, you guessed it…”The Glory of Love” and guess what happened to me?

Well, I started to cry. I felt surprised as I haven’t seen that movie for probably fifteen years or more…& I haven’t heard the song for probably that long either…yet, the music brought me to a place of reflection, of thought, of gratitude for the stories of and the glories of love.

I have had many opportunities to love and be loved in this life, for which I am eternally grateful. I have many stories of love, from my own experiences and those which have been shared with me. As I reflect on this week where we celebrate Thanksgiving, my heart overflows with gratitude for the glory of love.

What stories do you have of the glory of love?  Will you share them with us?  Hearing stories of others helps us to MPower those around us!  I look forward to hearing from you!!!

“For Good” from Wicked. Now, I confess that I haven’t seen the musical (& after numerous posts on a recent Facebook status, I imagine I won’t ever read the book), but this song was introduced to me a couple years ago, & has grown in meaning through experiences I’ve had singing it & teaching it to others. (Isn’t music wonderful that way?…like an old friend that keeps becoming more dear as the years pass & experiences increase?)

Anyway, I began to sing–vacuuming, sweeping, and crying as I saw faces pass though my mind of people who have influenced my life for good. I know I am a better person because of the empowered people who strengthen my life each day.

Thank you for touching my life. “Because I knew you, I have been changed…for good.”

My own mother, my grandmothers, my husband’s mother and grandmothers, my sisters and sisters-in-law (who I count as my sisters) and my friends and neighbors (who I also number as my sisters) have made my life possible.  They have strengthened me when I felt I had no strength to move.  They have shared perspectives that have broadened my view of the work I do everyday.  They have increased my desire to work toward my goals and keep going in the midst of great adversity or challenges.  They have offered physical nourishment, emotional support, and laughter through tears.

Recently, I have had great changes in my life; still, these women have stood beside me as I’ve cried some tears, mourned previous experiences, and have helped me find the blessings that are all around if I will just lift my eyes.  I had dinner with one of these women lately.  She loves my children as I love them, looks at others with a non-judgemental eye, and stands with strength even when she doesn’t want to keep going.  She is amazing.  She fed my body, but more importantly, she nourished my spirit.

I am happy to say that I could not survive happily without these superb women in my life.  If you are reading this, you are probably one of those women, and I would like to say, “thank you.”  I do not want to live without you, and I am so grateful for you!!!!

So, here are some questions to ponder as you walk through this happy Monday:  Who mothers you?  And, who do you mother?  You are much more important that you can imagine!

Anyway, she called me later on that week, said they were replacing the dryer, too, to match her washer (the old one was a discontinued color) with the extra credit and would I like her dryer. She said she would much rather send it down the street on a dolly with my husband than to pay someone to haul it away…! I was so grateful.

For her, giving us her dryer was a small action. Her generosity required only a few phone calls, knowledge of my need, and her kind heart, but this gift of love meant the world to me.

So, recently, we came home from the beach, started our usual load of sand-laden, salt-watered clothing, towels, etc., and hooked up the dryer. We loaded it full of wet, washed linens and swim suits, and let the dryer work its magic. Truly–it was magic! We left the house to have an amazing evening among family–and I didn’t worry about coming home to wet clothes because the dryer door had popped open again! Hooray!!

All around us, on a daily–even hourly–basis, we have others who need the gifts of love we can give. Some of them aren’t as large or heavy as a clothes dryer…but the smiles, baked goodies, notes we drop in the mail, or phone calls we make can extend our love to those around us who are lonely or left wanting. Some of those we see don’t even know they are suffering (like we just made our dryer work), but when they feel the relief of our hugs or the strength of our hearts, they find themselves empowered through our gifts of love. I dare say that I become more empowered, too! How about you?