On Running

I'm typically not much of a runner.
I don't run marathons, or halves, or even 10Ks (yet!).
I try to conquer the treadmill a couple times a week,
but running seems to turn to walking after the first mile.

But when I read this quote from James Thurber,
I thought to myself:
maybe I am a runner after all.
Maybe we're all runners.

"All human beings should try and learn before they die
what they are running from, and to, and why"

This is a path I plan to venture down, the asking.
And of course, Pastor Doug started a new series on Jonah this week as well.
So I have a feeling there's more of this running business to be uncovered.

Stay tuned.
and share your thoughts.

Why.

I'm loving this quote my friend Tracy posted today.
she always finds the best words to hold on to
and brings thought to paper so eloquently perfect.

“I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless.
I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping.
It doesn’t change God- it changes me.”

- Clive Staples

Soul Mates

People think a soul mate is your perfect match,

and that's what everyone wants.
But a true soul mate is a mirror,
the person who shows you everything that is holding you back,
the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.
--Unknown

6 years ago yesterday,
I went on a first date with a boy.

Starbucks + Christmas Shopping + Dinner

It didn't take me long
to realize we're soul mates.

(our first picture together, January 2005)

Planted in Pennies

My friend, Aubrey,
posted this quote this afternoon.

It reminded me
that picking up pennies is indeed
both noble and necessary.
It encouraged me to continue.

----

An excerpt from Annie Dillard's "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek":

"It is still the first week in January, and I've got great plans.
I've been thinking about seeing.
There are lots of things to see, unwrapped gifts and free surprises.
The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies
cast broadside from a generous hand.
But--and this is the point--who gets excited by a mere penny?...
It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued
that he won't stoop to pick up a penny.
But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity,
so that finding a penny will literally make your day,
then, since the world is in fact planted in pennies,
you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days."

Thanks, Aubs.

Brain Dump

It's been one of those weeks.
I've been trying to be productive all week.
-- "Trying" being the key word --
My brain seems to be so full that nothing worthy is coming out.

Hence the brain dump...

* Whenever someone passes away, I can't help but have a keener eye for the not-a-big-deals that get blown out of proportion.
* The combination of highly emotional and chronic headache has been my nemesis all week.
* I'm trying to dream big, but falling short. Again. I wish I were a dreamer.
* The other day, Jeremiah called me his "little toolbox." And told me he loved me because I responded with "What the heck does that mean?" instead of "Aw, how sweet!"
* I wanna go visit my Papa.
* I'm finding that all my strengths and natural talents are not so natural this week.
* I'm glad Football Season is rolling in, but I'm still highly irritated that summer was MIA for so long.
* I'm short-sighted here and future-minded elsewhere. What's the deal?
* My Mantras this week has been "You have everything you need." via http://jasminestarblog.com and "It is He who made us, and not we ourselves" via Psalm 100.
* I long for a weekend retreat. Or at least a moment. Where I re-encounter myself.
* I'm thankful for my family.
* My Want-To-Do Lists are practically wall paper in my office. The Completed-Tasks Lists are no where to be found.
* I hate, hate, hate when our team misses deadlines.
* My cooking skills (or lack-thereof) reached an all-time low today.
* I'm really enjoying this quote: "But no one’s in your head and by the time you translate your thoughts, some essence of them may be lost or perhaps it is just kept...Cuz if you’re happy in your head than solitude is blessed and alone is okay" via Tracy Le
* And apparently, I'm disgustingly hard on myself. Again.

Kingdom eyes, Kingdom eyes.

Perfectionism

Words of wisdom worth sharing on this lovely Wednesday:

"Perfectionism is the voice of the Oppressor."
Anne Lamott

Don't listen.

Story of my Week

"There are moments when,
whatever the posture of the body,
the soul is on its knees."

Victor Hugo

Thankful

I read this C.S. Lewis' quote
from Mere Christianity yesterday:

"All that we call human history--
money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution,
classes, empires, slavery--
[is] the long terrible story of man
trying to find something other than God
which will make him happy."

And it occurred to me,
that Lewis is so right
and that breaks my heart.

Which is why I am so very thankful
for the group of girls I meet with each week.
Girls that continually long to know God
and to find happiness in Him.
Girls that I pray for
and that pray for me
Girls who are authentic.

I am so grateful for this group
that came at just right time

Happy Thanksgiving

"We are most alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."
Thornton Wilder