Finding the Balance

Sometimes it takes a village!
My time is limited so I have to find ways to maximize every moment.

I could run alone and leave my family at home...
OR
I could take my family along and make my mile a family activity.

I opted for the latter.

We even took the dog.
(Since she's a pit bull, we don't take her out often.)

The weather was great!

Mystic behaved!

WORK done!

It was a wonderful evening of walking and talking.

It reminded me that we don't always have to tackle our feats alone.

Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Join with others to help you reach your goals.
Join with others to help you stay focused.
Join with others to stay accountable.
Join with others for inspiration.

Who is in your village?

Guest Blogger: Quiara Green

"Sometime you have to be comfortable talking about the comfortable"                                                                               -Yara Shahidi, grown-ish

As a member of the Student Government Association, each year you are required to complete an individual project which betters the school in some way. This year one of my 2 projects is a privilede walk. 
If you are unaware of what a privilege walk is, basically everyone lines up in the center of the classroom. A series of statements are called out and if thy apply to you, you complete the instruction to either walk forward or backward. If it doesn't apply, you don't move. 
I was talking about my idea with my 2nd period anatomy and physiology table. The table is split down the middle with 3 black students and 3 white students. Of the black students, we all identify as female and 2 of the 3 white students identify as male. '
There is one of my table mates who has made i…

Even the invisible can be invincible!
All I remember hearing is "Do you see me?"

They were not my spoken words but it's a question I often ask in silence.

A question I ponder day after day.

When I do ask the question aloud, I usually ask, "Am I really that invisible?"

Dictionary.com defines 'invisible' as "unable to be seen; not visible to the eye." It goes further to clarify "treated as unable to be seen; ignored or not taken into consideration."

Yes, that's the definition that best describes the adjective I often use to describe myself. Invisible.

Of course, I don't use that adjective in a job interview when asked, "Tell us about yourself."
Yet, when I'm being really honest with myself, that's the best adjective to use.

It's because others don't see me.

Nope. They don't really see me.

Perhaps it's my stature. Perhaps it's my aura. Perhaps it's my confidence. (Speaking of which, clic…

Get control of your thoughts!
"Oh... it must have started raining," I thought to myself.

That was my thought as I sat at the table eating my dinner and reading my book.
I was totally engrossed into what I was doing when I heard a sizzling sound.
It had only been ten minutes or so since I'd come in from my evening jog but it's Florida. It can start raining at the drop of a dime.
The sizzling sound persisted.
Finally, I looked over and remembered the pot on the stove.
"Oh yeah! I am boiling eggs, aren't I?!"
Silly girl! Silly me! 
I tell you, I am SO forgetful at times.
Well....maybe forgetful is not the best adjective. Perhaps I simply have lots of fleeting thoughts. You know those thoughts.  - I need to pay my bill. - I need to get my car washed. - I need to dedicate time to writing. - I need to update my resume. - I need to take out the trash. - I need to pick dog food on my way home. - I need to buy that greeting card. - I need to call my relative/fri…

Let competition make you, not break you!
There's more than the actual win. Don't miss the lessons!
I enter the arenas with my head held high and my chest poked out.

The track stadium.
The gymnastics area.
The swimming pools.
The basketball court.
The soccer field.
The softball field.
The school auditorium.
Even the church pew.

Wherever my children compete, I walk in full confidence that they will show up and dominate.

Truth is, we win some and we lose some.
But either way, I always have my kids backs.

Sometimes, I question the coaches.
Sometimes, I question the judges.
Sometimes, I question my child.

I always want to know what happened? How can she/he get better? (Even a win can be better. Yep, I'm THAT mom. More goals. More points. More speed. You get the point...)

I push.
                    I push again.
                                                    I push some more.

Thankfully, my children aren't quite as intense as I am. They balance me out.

You see, they al…

When you stay ready, you won't have to get ready!
The weather was great until I hit the city.

I noticed that it started to become overcast. Then the drizzles. Finally, the downpour of rain.

I just left the store to pick up cold medicine to help nurse myself back to 100% pretty quickly. So, running in the rain was not really on my priority list.

Do I run in the rain now? This way I'll know that it's done.
OR
Do I get situated and figure out a run later? There's a chance I won't go out later.

Do I go change my clothes? You know, put on "running" clothes.
OR
Do I run in what I'm wearing? Cotton pants and a cotton shirt.

I know I packed a hat. Get it out of the trunk.

My phone only has 24% battery remaining. You're only running for 10 minutes. Run faster.

You see, it's mind over matter!

When you are determined to get IT done, you won't allow the EXCUSES to get in the way.

In case you were wondering, Excuses are the tools of the weak and incompeten…