"Pur-r-r-r, pur-r-r-r."
My cat, Mochi
Mochi is more than just a treasured friend; he’s also my Guru.
As I was sitting in front of my computer screen scanning my collection of profound quotes for just the right pearl to share with you this week, I became aware of Mochi curled up on my lap (his favorite place), purring away. He was the picture of peace, love and contentment. As I tuned in to his soft purring, my cares drifted away and a feeling of bliss came over me. I closed my eyes, turned off my thinking mind and became aware of the true beauty of the world surrounding me – Mochi’s purring, the whispering of the wind, the music of the rain on my window. I sat for quite awhile enjoying it and reconnecting with what life really means.
Then I told Mochi, “Hey dude, you get the quote this week.” He said, “pur-r-r-r, pur-r-r-r.”
The most beautiful, profound messages are always the simplest. And often, they’re the most obvious, yet the ones we completely overlook. Take a moment right now to look around, listen, open your heart and learn from the beautiful wisdom that surrounds you in this very moment.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Life Is a Muddy Trail!
"Struggle ends where commitment begins."
Sumner Davenport
Do you want to know why I love life so much? Because it's like running a long, muddy trail in nasty weather.
Today I went on a trail run to Cable Peak, a rather obscure, out-of-the way peak south of Post Falls, Idaho. In trail running vernacular, my run today can only be described as "epic," meaning that I ran into a whole lot of challenges that I wasn't expecting and took just a tad longer than planned. (Well, okay, more than a tad.) I ran through pea soup fog, got rained, hailed and snowed on, slipped and slid up and down steep hills, and took a wrong turn up a long steep climb that turned my planned 13 mile trek into almost a 15 miler. Oh, and by the way, I also got to enjoy some sun breaks, views that took my breath away and a close encounter with a moose. And of course, there was the reward of bagging a new peak! It was a lot more fun than pounding predictable pavement.
Just like life, there were twists, turns, grueling climbs and unexpected obstacles right along with fun, adventure, stunning beauty and the deep sense of satisfaction that comes with reaching a challenging milestone. And just like life, it was exhilirating!
Through it all, I remained commited to reaching the summit of Cable Peak. The trip up the mountain was tough, but it wasn't a struggle. The challenges I faced are the very reasons I love trail running -- and life! -- so much.
Sumner Davenport
Do you want to know why I love life so much? Because it's like running a long, muddy trail in nasty weather.
Today I went on a trail run to Cable Peak, a rather obscure, out-of-the way peak south of Post Falls, Idaho. In trail running vernacular, my run today can only be described as "epic," meaning that I ran into a whole lot of challenges that I wasn't expecting and took just a tad longer than planned. (Well, okay, more than a tad.) I ran through pea soup fog, got rained, hailed and snowed on, slipped and slid up and down steep hills, and took a wrong turn up a long steep climb that turned my planned 13 mile trek into almost a 15 miler. Oh, and by the way, I also got to enjoy some sun breaks, views that took my breath away and a close encounter with a moose. And of course, there was the reward of bagging a new peak! It was a lot more fun than pounding predictable pavement.
Just like life, there were twists, turns, grueling climbs and unexpected obstacles right along with fun, adventure, stunning beauty and the deep sense of satisfaction that comes with reaching a challenging milestone. And just like life, it was exhilirating!
Through it all, I remained commited to reaching the summit of Cable Peak. The trip up the mountain was tough, but it wasn't a struggle. The challenges I faced are the very reasons I love trail running -- and life! -- so much.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Follow Your Own Vision
"Be driven by your vision or you'll be taken for a ride in someone else's."
Craig Valentine
1999 World Champion of Public Speaking
Wanna go for a wild ride...?
Last weekend at a Toastmasters conference I had the privilege of hearing a couple of awesome presentations by my friend Craig Valentine, the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking. Needless to say, Craig is quite an inspiring, entertaining...and visionary...speaker.
(Visit Craig's website at http://www.TheCommunicationFactory.com)
The quote above really clicked with me. I've been pursuing my own vision for several years now. That vision is to facilitate a change in the way people perceive and approach their health and their lives. Rather than only be concerned with solving problems, I teach people to focus on maximizing their own infinite human potential. A key part of this vision is to help people reconnect with the simple and powerful gifts that Nature has given us to remain healthy, and to continue to grow, evolve and thrive.
My vision drives everything I do. And it's a powerful vision! If you have been reading this blog you know that it has--quite unexpectedly--steered me onto the path of endurance training. It's a transformation in my life that I can only describe as breathtaking! Not only is this transformation a great personal triumph; more importantly, it has become a new vehicle to allow me to serve. (See next week's post for some musings on service...) Now I can stand up and say, "I'm living proof. If this is possible for me, just imagine what's possible for you!" This wonderful transformation happened for me only because I stayed true to my vision.
The key message here is: If you want to go on the most exciting ride of your life, follow your own vision!
Craig Valentine
1999 World Champion of Public Speaking
Wanna go for a wild ride...?
Last weekend at a Toastmasters conference I had the privilege of hearing a couple of awesome presentations by my friend Craig Valentine, the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking. Needless to say, Craig is quite an inspiring, entertaining...and visionary...speaker.
(Visit Craig's website at http://www.TheCommunicationFactory.com)
The quote above really clicked with me. I've been pursuing my own vision for several years now. That vision is to facilitate a change in the way people perceive and approach their health and their lives. Rather than only be concerned with solving problems, I teach people to focus on maximizing their own infinite human potential. A key part of this vision is to help people reconnect with the simple and powerful gifts that Nature has given us to remain healthy, and to continue to grow, evolve and thrive.
My vision drives everything I do. And it's a powerful vision! If you have been reading this blog you know that it has--quite unexpectedly--steered me onto the path of endurance training. It's a transformation in my life that I can only describe as breathtaking! Not only is this transformation a great personal triumph; more importantly, it has become a new vehicle to allow me to serve. (See next week's post for some musings on service...) Now I can stand up and say, "I'm living proof. If this is possible for me, just imagine what's possible for you!" This wonderful transformation happened for me only because I stayed true to my vision.
The key message here is: If you want to go on the most exciting ride of your life, follow your own vision!
Friday, October 26, 2007
An Unfathomable Gift!
"I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving,
harmonious, and happy!"
Jerilyn Whitaker
You have been given a wonderful gift. Have you opened it yet?
I received this quote from my friend Jerilyn in response to my Healthy Thought a couple of weeks ago. It really struck a chord with me because I had just run my first marathon earlier that same day, and I was definitely feeling whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, and happy. (Heavy on the strong and happy; throw in a little bit of sore.)
The Spokane Marathon was my third major event on my quest to run Ironman Coeur d'Alene next June. Every time I finish one of these races it's an emotional and exhilirating experience for me. I remember the many years of pain I've been through, and the times when I could only watch others do such things. I didn't even wish that I could do them; it wasn't even in the realm of possibility for me. And now, here I am -- a marathoner! The healing power of the human body (your human body) is truly unfathomable!
Your inherent and breathtaking potential will continue to amaze you as you allow it to unfold. It's the greatest gift you will ever receive. So go ahead...start opening it!
harmonious, and happy!"
Jerilyn Whitaker
You have been given a wonderful gift. Have you opened it yet?
I received this quote from my friend Jerilyn in response to my Healthy Thought a couple of weeks ago. It really struck a chord with me because I had just run my first marathon earlier that same day, and I was definitely feeling whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, and happy. (Heavy on the strong and happy; throw in a little bit of sore.)
The Spokane Marathon was my third major event on my quest to run Ironman Coeur d'Alene next June. Every time I finish one of these races it's an emotional and exhilirating experience for me. I remember the many years of pain I've been through, and the times when I could only watch others do such things. I didn't even wish that I could do them; it wasn't even in the realm of possibility for me. And now, here I am -- a marathoner! The healing power of the human body (your human body) is truly unfathomable!
Your inherent and breathtaking potential will continue to amaze you as you allow it to unfold. It's the greatest gift you will ever receive. So go ahead...start opening it!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Brick Walls
"The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the
brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how
badly we want something. The brick walls are there to
stop the people who don't want it badly enough."
Professor Randy Pausch
A Dying Professor's Last Lecture.
See an inspiring four minute video highlighting Professor Pausch's lecture at this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQtwEKlUutA
brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how
badly we want something. The brick walls are there to
stop the people who don't want it badly enough."
Professor Randy Pausch
A Dying Professor's Last Lecture.
See an inspiring four minute video highlighting Professor Pausch's lecture at this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQtwEKlUutA
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Amnesia...I Highly Recommend It!
"I run because it gives me amnesia."
An ad for running shoes (I think) that I saw a few months ago.
Ah...nothing beats a good case of amnesia. The ad I refer to above goes on to say that running clears your mind by letting you forget about stresses and pressures of the day. Great idea!
If you're not enjoying a relaxing bout of amnesia every day, give it a try. You don't have to go running if that's not your thing. Do something you enjoy--gardening, dancing, weightlifting, shooting hoops--whatever you love to do.
Just do it. Don't forget!
An ad for running shoes (I think) that I saw a few months ago.
Ah...nothing beats a good case of amnesia. The ad I refer to above goes on to say that running clears your mind by letting you forget about stresses and pressures of the day. Great idea!
If you're not enjoying a relaxing bout of amnesia every day, give it a try. You don't have to go running if that's not your thing. Do something you enjoy--gardening, dancing, weightlifting, shooting hoops--whatever you love to do.
Just do it. Don't forget!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
The Grandest Adventure!
There is only one journey: going inside yourself.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Go inside...deeper..deeper...
The inward journey is the grandest adventure of all. You will travel through valleys that are deep, dark and cold, and climb to vistas that will take your breath away. The path will have long, smooth straightaways as well as treacherous curves and bone jarring rough spots. You will be thrilled, terrified, joyful, sad, surprised, agitated and peaceful. And on the journey you will discover treasures you never knew existed--treasures the likes of which you can't find anywhere else. In fact, you've already found some, haven't you? There is much more waiting to be discovered.
Have a great trip!
Rainer Maria Rilke
Go inside...deeper..deeper...
The inward journey is the grandest adventure of all. You will travel through valleys that are deep, dark and cold, and climb to vistas that will take your breath away. The path will have long, smooth straightaways as well as treacherous curves and bone jarring rough spots. You will be thrilled, terrified, joyful, sad, surprised, agitated and peaceful. And on the journey you will discover treasures you never knew existed--treasures the likes of which you can't find anywhere else. In fact, you've already found some, haven't you? There is much more waiting to be discovered.
Have a great trip!
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