In less than 48 hours I should be finished with my first bicycle century. For those of you that don't know, that's 100 miles on a bicycle. And the seat's not large! As I sit here contemplating the last few months, I'm amazed at all the hard work and preparation that went into this accomplishment.
Sunday will be the culmination of a physical and philanthropic journey. Two years ago, I joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training to complete a marathon and raise funds for the society’s programs. Earlier this year, I took up cycling regularly for the first time in my life. Wanting to learn more about bicycles and cycling as a sport, I remembered that Team in Training also had cycling teams.
Finding out when then next season started, I signed up to ride in the Intracoastal Waterway Century. As part of that commitment, I agreed to fundraise $2,300 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. What I did was take a personal desire and transformed it into a worthy goal.
In the past five months, I have learned to fix a flat, repair a chain, keep hydrated, eat properly and increased endurance. These were the physical things I earned in my journey to this weekend.
However, I have also learned more about blood cancers, heard touching stories of how people’s lives have been affected by disease and renewed my faith that people are caring, thoughtful individuals who want to help one another.
An added bonus to this whole endeavor are the new people I have met—hopefully some will be friends for years to come. I am honored to have met a wide variety of people from all walks of life.
So after Sunday, my life will return to some semblance of normalcy. No more Sunday rides and back to regular Weightwatchers meetings and yoga. My project for the next couple of months is going to be me!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Importance of Dreams
I am currently reading The Dreaming Universe by Fred Alan Wolf. It is at times confusing, enlightening, interesting and frustrating. Today’s chapter dealt with the brain’s awareness and reaction to stimulus. Apparently, it is possible for a person to react to a stimulus (breaking to avoid hitting an animal running across the road) before becoming aware that the animal crossed the road. Somehow when the brain processes the information, it actually can send signals back in time in order to allow an automatic reaction.
The whole concept seems rather far-fetched until you start thinking about times when you may have reacted to something before you realize what you’re doing. I wonder if this could be the cause of many cases of “foot in mouth” disease. How often have you said something only to wish a split second later that you hadn’t? I think everyone probably has one instance of this in their life.
This relates to one part of the lunch and learn discussion that I posted about yesterday. The speaker mentioned that humans are wired to respond rapidly with the truth when approached.
Example:
“How are you doing?”
“Oh, just terrible! The project is falling behind. I can’t get anyone to finish any work.”
or
“Great! I just achieved a great milestone on my current project.”
While both of the responses above are valid, honest answers to the question, which person do you want to continue the conversation with? The second person, of course. So your attitude can influence others opinions, thoughts and actions.
In the above scenario, what do you think would happen if the person asking the question had an exciting new project ready to get started and he or she was preparing to offer you the project and they had received the first answer? They probably would rethink their offer.
Consider that in your interactions with others and how a fairly innocuous interaction could have larger implications.
And as the speaker suggested, when asked any of the following questions:
“How’s business?”
“How is your health?”
“How are you?”
Simply answer energetically, “Unbelievable!”
This single word can cover everything from “My business is going further in the red every month” to “My fiancé just proposed. I’m getting married!” Whether the situation is good or bad, use this word to convey a positive an upbeat attitude.
Who knows where it will lead?
The whole concept seems rather far-fetched until you start thinking about times when you may have reacted to something before you realize what you’re doing. I wonder if this could be the cause of many cases of “foot in mouth” disease. How often have you said something only to wish a split second later that you hadn’t? I think everyone probably has one instance of this in their life.
This relates to one part of the lunch and learn discussion that I posted about yesterday. The speaker mentioned that humans are wired to respond rapidly with the truth when approached.
Example:
“How are you doing?”
“Oh, just terrible! The project is falling behind. I can’t get anyone to finish any work.”
or
“Great! I just achieved a great milestone on my current project.”
While both of the responses above are valid, honest answers to the question, which person do you want to continue the conversation with? The second person, of course. So your attitude can influence others opinions, thoughts and actions.
In the above scenario, what do you think would happen if the person asking the question had an exciting new project ready to get started and he or she was preparing to offer you the project and they had received the first answer? They probably would rethink their offer.
Consider that in your interactions with others and how a fairly innocuous interaction could have larger implications.
And as the speaker suggested, when asked any of the following questions:
“How’s business?”
“How is your health?”
“How are you?”
Simply answer energetically, “Unbelievable!”
This single word can cover everything from “My business is going further in the red every month” to “My fiancé just proposed. I’m getting married!” Whether the situation is good or bad, use this word to convey a positive an upbeat attitude.
Who knows where it will lead?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Life Evaluation - Part II
The lunch and learn at the office today was another one of those, "Here's a tidbit of information about something... Sign up for more information for a special, one time fee of blank dollars!" While the information was interesting, I refuse to spend $295 on a single day workshop.
Interestingly enough, the concepts they discussed this afternoon are very similar to the Law of Attraction as described by James Arthur Ray in Harmonic Wealth. So I think I'll stick with the book on CD that I borrowed from the library and complete the exercises as suggested.
Interestingly enough, the concepts they discussed this afternoon are very similar to the Law of Attraction as described by James Arthur Ray in Harmonic Wealth. So I think I'll stick with the book on CD that I borrowed from the library and complete the exercises as suggested.
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