Falling up

On my run today around Greenlake, with the blue sky and birds as my backdrop, I fell. Caught with my hands out... glad I didn't land on my face.

This isn't the first time I've tripped in front other runners, and most likely will not be the last. With a running career that spans over twenty years, I'd say I do it atleast twice a year. Atleast. But as I got up and going again, this may be the first time I've ever reflected on falling in other parts of my life.

Falling is not failing, but quite often I find myself focused on one thing, and then, without warning, I lose focus on that and turn my attention to something else. I fall out of focus. And what happens next? I'll tell you. I end up with all of these unfinished things that I have to reflect on and then figure out how to complete.

As the lyrics, "I get knocked down, but I get up again..." played on my ipod (it couldn't have been better timing) and my latest struggle to stay focused on my to do list on my mind, it occured to me that I tend to fall and get up again on most of the things that I do. I suppose this happens to most everyone. However, there are those amazing individuals out there that can set a goal and accomplish it. Period. They just do it. They don't let anything stand in their way, they don't allow set backs to slow them down, and they can see the finish line no matter how far it is in front of them. What blows me away with this special group of people is that they typically accomplish their goals fast. I wish I could do that.

I set my New Year's Resolution today on my run. After the fall. I decided that, even though it's late in the month of January, I will no longer let myself fall. Falling is no longer an option. I will stay focused. I will see the finish line. I will accomplish. Okay, not in everything... if I went that big I'd be too overwhelmed. I am going to start small. There are two goals I have that I really need to accomplish this year. I am going to focus on them. Once I have succeeded in doing so, I will then set my sight on the others.

Let's be realistic here. I am a faller. I can't tell when it'll happen or what shiny object may trip me up, but it will happen again. My New Year's Resolution mindset merely will allow me the freedom to keep it small and maybe this way, I'll get further. We shall see if it ends up to be true... and I invite anyone reading this to join in and give me their thoughts. It's an experiment of falling up.

JOY

On Saturday I witnessed true joy. It was amazing because it occurred in two separate events and I actually got to feel it. What's it feel like? It feels like a rush of excitement that takes over your entire being. It makes you smile and can sometimes leave you with tears in your eyes. This is what it feels like to me anyway.

The first moment of joy came at the end of my 2.59 mile race. With less than 100 meters to go, I spotted my son and daughter at the end, waiting for me. At that moment I was pulling with my arms and hoping the my stride was long and strong. And then I stopped thinking all together. I heard two little voices, yelling, "GO MOM!" I just smiled and ran. Out of the corner of my eye I saw them, running along side of me, trying to keep up. As I walked away from the finish line, I found them. All bubbly and proud. "We ran with you," they said in unison, just before nearly knocking me over with a full blown hug. JOY!

The second moment came at the football game. Not a pro game. Not a college or high school game either. This team is called the Jr. Sophomores and is made of players between 9-12 years old. Our quarterback threw a pass from the 30 yard line into the end zone, where his receiver caught it and stepped in to make the touchdown. It seemed like slow motion as soon as the ball left the quarterback's hand. He stopped and just watched the ball fly. As soon as it hit the target, real time caught up with the moment, and the quarterback jumped up and threw a huge punch in the air. His face guard hid his expression, but it showed in this body action. That felt good! More joy!

There are so many wonderful moments in a day. I think that often I get too tangled in my own world and miss them. However, when I do catch one, these small moments have an impact on me and remind me of what is important. It's all about catching life happen around you and celebrating it. Embrace the joy.