Wait Management

Or how to avoid living an unfulfilling life;

I’ve been away for quite the while–I’ve got no answer as to why, maybe I just wasn’t compelled to write. I’ve continued to run routinely, entered in a few races and I’m still enjoying running’s many benefits. I guess I had the need to keep certain thoughts and feelings to my self. This past year I’ve witnessed a good deal of loss, and changes. I needed time to work these things through before I could write my thoughts and share them with you.

As I said 2018 and 2019 has been difficult, I’ve lost friends, had friends lose spouses, pets, and jobs. Some of my friends battled various serious illnesses, some won others didn’t. Generally change is not unusual at the end of a decade there seems to be more loss, and change for everyone during this period (out with the old in with the new). During all the added stress life went on, we went to work, paid the bills and got ready to do it again each and everyday.

Some may call this a rut, I call it poor wait management. Let me clarify this with an explanation that will hopefully provide perspective. About this time a year ago the younger brother of one of my students was diagnosed with bone cancer. Nothing seem to go his way, and despite, incredible treatment, and support from his family he passed away this past Wednesday at the age of 11. I bring this up as a not so subtle reminder that everyday is precious. We can’t think that illness only comes when we are old. You have to live proactively not reactively.

I have a bracelet that has the word Purpose on it to remind me to live with purpose every moment. My purpose is to share my experiences, to help people grow, to help others, to spread kindness, to create laughter, to learn to experience life fully the good and the bad.

So if you’re waiting for the right man/woman to complete you know you are a complete man or woman. Perhaps you’re waiting for children to leave home before you start working on your dream–you maybe waiting until they’re 50, can you wait that long? You may want to be starting a new career or business but the economic climate is wrong. There are as many waiting scenarios as there are people procreating. I’m here to say don’t wait! The only time we have is this moment, you need to take action NOW! No one is promised tomorrow.

We only regret what we never tried–not what we did! Manage your wait, ask yourself what is the dream? What is my purpose? If you’re having difficulty determining a goal go for a run, I hear there’s a lot of thoughts during a run…

Hug someone, tell someone you love them, call an old friend and keep the young boy I mentioned in your thoughts any time you think you have more time…

Run on,

Off The Rails

I’ve been off from work this last week of December. It’s a time I celebrate the holidays and take inventory of the past year, while looking ahead to goals for next year – It is a time for me to go “Off The Rails.”

Yes, I leave my very scheduled disciplined life to experience the art of unscheduled nothing. I get up when I want eat what I want; for example sleep until 8:30am and eat homemade cookies for breakfast. I even went to the gym in the afternoon! Okay my off the rails isn’t exactly going over to the dark side, but I did go to see the Last Jedi. The bigger point is I’m letting go of my need for structure and control to clear my vision. Often routine prevents us from seeing other options or opportunities. Like reading a book verses watching a rerun, enjoying holiday treats without feeling guilty, spending evenings watching game shows with an elderly neighbor instead of surfing the net. I have managed to get things done – Necessary things. As the week nears the start of the New Year, my disciplined self is contemplating goals and structuring my schedule to fit them, but at least I still have cookies for breakfast.

Here’s wishing you a great 2018 on or off the rails,

Gin

Looking Forward…

What do you do after completing or reaching a goal? For me I look forward to the next adventure or challenge…

I was tested for my sixth dan (6th degree black belt) this past Saturday. The training and preparation were fairly intense. To say I was focused would be an understatement! I loved the challenges this test brought. I wondered how or if my age would be a factor either with the training or the test – Other than a few nagging injuries that could have cropped up at any age the effect was minimal. In fact the experience benefitted me. I was better prepared for this test than any of the previous tests I’ve taken.

So with the test in my rearview, what’s next? First I need to get over this mild sense of post test let down. After training so hard for so long I feel a little at loose ends… It’s not like I haven’t anything to do – Believe me there are plenty of chores and projects that were put on hold that I need to get to – It ‘s the Looking Forward to and working toward something big, that I miss. Which means get myself in gear for the next challenge – Does a half marathon seem big enough? I’ll let you know August 20th!

Ginnie

Serving…

I’m spending a rare evening at home. Most nights I’m at my martial arts school. Some of you might think this was where I work, on the contrary its where I DO my work… Sitting at this computer gives me a whole different perspective of what my life is about; Its about service. Helping others learn how to set and reach goals gives me great pleasure. To have students gain confidence with each level inspires me to provide more energy and passion into what I teach and how I teach.

I also know as a master teacher that I must teach by example, to train how I want my students to train. So as I sit here reviewing my upcoming sixth dan exam I’ve come to realize the exam is not only a test of my martial art skills but a lesson for my students…

Namaste…

Ginnie

Using Your Gifts…

We are all given special gifts, knowing what they are can be a tricky proposition. However if and when you find out what your gift is, you must share it.

Somewhere between 1987 an 89 I realized I had a gift for teaching. It started with assisting with martial arts classes and since has grown into teaching students with learning disabilities martial arts and how to read and write. Believe me there is no greater feeling than doing what you were meant to do. I feel like an NFL quarterback throwing the winning pass in the Super Bowl.

Today was one of those days. I was able to find a way to connect with one of those very bright kids who doesn’t learn conventionally. Finding how he learns was great but seeing him learn and the way he stood tall – That was the touchdown! Confidence that’s what he learned…

Use your gifts. Score a winning TD,

Ginnie

Growth Chart

After a brief hiatus to get my body some rest, and my brain cells recharged. I decided to blog on the final evening of 2011. I’ve also decided to make this about my growth this past year.Since I’m no longer growing physically at least not vertically and hopefully not in circumference. This is about my emotional and spiritual growth…

First what I did well; I reached my goal weight and maintained it! This was largely impart to Weight Watchers.com and scheduling my workouts early in the morning. I guess you can say my discipline improved. I also set a goal to write and I’m now writing two blogs. Writing has always been a passion of mine wether it was letters or maintaing my journals it was and is something I enjoy. I’m happy with my results and will continue to work on improving my skills. I also had adventures, I travelled to Arizona, attended a Red Sox game, a WPGA tournament, and concerts. I was more active in the community, participated in the Relay for Life, did the Walk against Bullying and joined the committee. I entered my business in a tree decorating contest for charity (which we won).

What I improved upon: I spent more but still not enough time with my family. I was more disciplined with book work on my business but still plenty of room to grow. I got better at taking time to rest but usually waited until I was fried.

What I need to focus on; Saying No, not to be mean but for self preservation. Volunteering, spending more time being part of a solution rather than just writing a check. Doing nothing – Sitting quietly, daily yoga practice is good but I need to go further with meditation. Following through in a timely manor – Stop procrastinating!

So that’s my growth chart, I still have a lot of room to grow – Which is good it means I’m not finished!

Happy New Year!

Ginnie

Up and At’Em…

Today I was booking an appointment and noticed it was on my father’s birthday, or what would have been his birthday. I then realized he would have been 82 and I couldn’t wrap my mind around that – He passed when he was 59. Time is so innocuous until we stop and put it into perspective with an event or seeing someone or something we haven’t seen for a long time. Then the realization shakes us to our core. We’re getting older, and I’m not who or what I imagined myself to be…

In the past I would just be unsettled for that moment and continue on, but today it was different. I’m rethinking a few things and writing down some new goals. Because I’m not settling for who I am but, for who I imagined myself to be…

Funny, it was as if dad told me to “Get Up an At’Em” , which was his wake up call all those years ago…

Thank’s for the wake up call dad,

Ginnie

Starting Over…

It was only twenty seconds out of every minute, but I was running! Something that I haven’t done in six weeks. It doesn’t matter how far,fast or what my splits were. The only thing I cared about was I ran and I was pain free! This small start got me thinking about how I’ve taken my health, my body and my life for granted. This small detour has given me better perspective on what’s important to me. Yes, running a half marathon would be a wonderful challenge and accomplishment. However, just being able to run to enjoy the miracle of my body, is far more important to me. Not that I’m no longer setting goals for myself,but now I’m reevaluating which goals are most important. I’m focusing on the one thing that will allow me to accomplish the many… Simply put I’m taking care of me, when I am centered and healthy, the life I want revolves around me.

Starting over with my running and how my life runs…

Peace,

Ginnie