Manners

I don't know about you, but I think that people have really gotten rude and inconsiderate lately. And today's smart phone technology is a big contributor to that. Personally, I believe that when you are with a person, you should be with that person. I just hate it when I'm in a conversation with someone and they aren't really all there. They are half listening to me and half watching their phone for the next text alert or email. Or even worse, they are caught up in the latest candy crush saga and cant give me (or anyone, for that matter) their full attention.

What happened to good old fashion curtesy? You know...Manners. I cant say I've always been on the receiving end of that scenario either, shame on me. But I do try to be considerate of the person I'm with, especially if they have given up part of their day to be with me. I've decided, one of my goals for the year is to be more considerate, courteous and a better listener. I believe that not only will this help my relationships with my family and friends, but I truly think it will increase my business and help make me a better communicator. Here are some of the things I am pledging to work on.... will you join me?

1. Put my phone on silent before I meet with someone, or better yet, leave it in the car. (Gee, I wonder if the world will collapse if I don't have it right by my side or in my purse for a little while?)

2. If I happen to have my phone with me (and have forgotten to put it on silent mode), and it rings, I will apologize to the person I'm with and immediately silence my phone. I will not answer it. (It's so nice that the iPhones now have an auto-response option. Now there is no excuse.)

3. If I'm in a public place, like a restaurant, and feel the need to use my phone (obviously I will be alone), I will be as considerate as possible to those around me, and keep my voice down or leave the room. (Have you ever been in a restaurant, when someone starts talking on their phone at about 40 decibels above everyone else? It's so annoying!)

4. When I am in a conversation with someone, I will give that person my undivided attention. I will look them in the eye and listen to them. Not for an opportunity to jump in with my opinion, but to really hear their heart.

I know that there are lots of ways to show good manners and common curtesy. These are just some of the ways I'm going to start. Can you think of any others that would help us all to become better communicators and better friends? Please share.

Have a blessed day.

Debbie

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Gratitude

This was a little blessing in my path yesterday

While running PF Chang's race in January, I hurt my hip. I was complaining in my mind about the pain and whining to God. Then, at about mile 10, I came upon a beautiful, strong, little woman, who had no use of her polio ridden legs. She had done the entire race on crutches; the kind that are strapped on at the shoulders. I could only imagine how painful it must have been for her arms and shoulders. But as I passed her, she looked up at me and smiled the most radiant smile. Suddenly my little ache in the hip didn't seem so big. I began to count my blessings. Which also prompted me to pray for her strength. Wow! What a lesson for me. Praise God for two good legs!

In that same race I kept intermittently passing a man and his son. You want to talk about determination! This man ran pushing his grown son in a wheelchair the entire race.  The poor man was so exhausted you could just see it all over him. But he never quit, he just kept pushing. Wow! Thank you God for my healthy children, for my healthy body. How could I complained about a little pain in my hip!

Next time I start to feel sorry for myself, I will remember how truly blessed I am. No matter how bad things get, there is always someone who has it worse than me. I am so blessed to have been born at this time in history, in this country, to loving, godly parents, and to have good relationships with all my family members. And have a strong, healthy body and capable mind.

True success,  happiness, wholeness and peace in life are impossible without gratitude. When a person looks around them and counts their blessings instead of complaints, the complaints seem to fade away.

Will you take the time today to count the blessings in your life and pray for those less fortunate than you?  I think you will be glad you did.

My newest little blessing, Justin Max

Have a blessed day.

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The Narrow Branch.

I'm an average woman; a woman no different than any other..  Average abilities, lower than average height and higher than average weight (for my height).  I step out of bed one foot at a time, I don't function without a cup of coffee in the morning.  I've lived a less than exciting life (with a few moments of shear ecstasy woven in).  I have a less than average education (one year of college), less than average job excitement (Ive changed jobs an average of every three to five years most of my adult life).  And I have raised 3 healthy (thank God) adult children, (not sure how they turned out so good.)

I'm just saying that there is nothing in my life that marks me as special, gifted, wise, etc.  And yet I have done some pretty amazing things that I never thought I could or would ever do.  It really makes me wonder why other people wont step out on that narrow branch and spread their wings to fly.

I know that there are those gifted people who shine in their area of expertise ( the Michael Jordan's of the world), not that their achievements aren't hard earned, but they do seem to have an edge over the rest of us.  But, I'm talking about overcoming the fear, procrastination, laziness, time constraints, etc and all the other excuses (because that's what they are) and doing something they have always wanted to do.  Just throwing off the constraints; yelling to the world "Screw it!!!" And plunging in with everything they have!!!

I never thought I would be a runner.  I'm too short, too slow, too fat, too old, to whatever! But at 40 years old, 5' tall and 180 pounds, I decided " Oh what the heck!  I'm tired of all the excuses!  I'm tired of being fat, I'm tired of being tired!  I'm too poor to join the gym, and don't have time anyway!"  So I started running. well, walking first.  There was no way I could run more than a few feet a that point in time.  But I decided to move my butt!   (Why don't people decide to move their butts?!!!)

Yes, I had to make some sacrifices!  I had to get up earlier in the morning.  I had to endure sore achy muscles as I added more time and speed.  After quite a long time and humiliation (being passed by an 80 year old man), I worked my way up to 3 miles of jogging.  I lost 50 pounds and eventually moved o Arizona ( from WA state), where my darling sister spurred me on to add more and more mileage.  The first year here, every run brought a new milestone.  First 5 miles, then 6, 7, 8 (this one was huge!)  I ran my first half marathon in 2006 and I felt like I had accomplished a flight o the moon and back   We continued to add events and worked up to 3 half marathons per year.  Until 2009 -   When my Friend and coach convinced me to run a full marathon.  She told me that my sister said she would if I would and told my sister the same about me.

We ran the Tuscon half in December, the PF Chang's Rock and Roll in January and the IMS Arizona Half in February.  Then 2 and a half months later or first full marathon.  26.2 miles in San Diego California (which was totally awesome!)  But the 2.5 months of training just about killed me!  You want to talk about sacrifice!  We were on the road by 5 am two mornings per week and ran 5 to 20 miles on those days as well as 2 medium sized runs during the week in the evenings.  We ran in freezing rain (on the 18 mile day), we ran in the heat (101 degrees on the 20 mile day).  We got dehydrated, chafed, blistered, sick, sunburned, and chilled to the bone.

Yet we continued our practice runs long past when we hit the wall and were ready to quit, long past throwing up on the side of the road, being chased by dogs, getting lost in the desert and screaming at the top of our lungs (mine in particular) "I'm done!!!  Bring me the truck!  I'm not taking another step!"  (that was on the 101 degree, 20 mile day.  Thank God it was our last long practice run!)  We continued.

What made it all worth it?  What made it so good?  It was crossing that finish line in San Diego  with a smile on my face!  I had endured the hard parts - those practices.  The real race, in 62 degree San Diego was a breeze!  tI not only was physically easier (because of climate), but it changed me.  I learned some things about myself.

I learned that I'm not just an average, short, chubby, girl.  No!  I elevated myself  into a whole new bracket.  I am above average!!  I have accomplished something that 95% of people will not even take the first step to accomplish.  That puts me in the top 5% of people in the world.  If I can run a 26.2 mile foot race in a short, chubby, average, 49 year old body, what else might I be able to accomplish?  The sky's the limit!

I've started to raise my expectation of myself.  I've continued to run at least 2 halves every year and I've run in some really neat places like Seattle.  I've also hiked the Grand Canyon, North to South rim.  I've changed careers yet again and have doubled my income in the last 2 years!

I've learned that "average" is a state of mind.
And everything worth having or accomplishing is worth working for.

And the doors have continued to open for me.  Sometimes taking a step toward the door is all it takes to open it.  As long as they continue to open for me, I'm going to walk, or Run, through them.

I hope you will too.