As we get closer to Marathon Monday and the one year anniversary of Team McManus' running of the Boston Marathon, I thought I'd write a post about overcoming fear and summoning courage.
F E A R = false evidence appearing real
Fear - a block to steppin' out and going for our dreams. As my friend, Inez Bracy of "Over Fifty, Fine and Fancy" told me recently, we can learn fear and it can short circuit our actions. Our parents teach us how to be safe - don't touch the hot stove or you will get burned. But wanting to be safe can result in what Ricky Powell refers to on his Masterminds of Happiness community as a state of "contraction". When we view the world as a hot stove, it can short circuit our sense of happiness and well being.
I've known fear and I've known terror. I have transformed those beliefs with the power of God's Love. I am blessed to be surrounded by so many loving and supportive people. I know that I attracted them into my life because I peeled away the layer of fear and unveiled who I really am & meant to be. I summoned courage into my life.
Without courage, I never could have run 26.2 miles. Without courage, I never could have left my full time job to heal my life. Without courage, I would have missed out on so much of living and life. As a polio survivor, I was taught a lot of fear -- fear of falling and breaking a bone because it would be a complicated healing process, fear of testing my body's capabilities and fear to embrace winter because of cold intolerance. But in the winter of 2009, I wrote the poem
Courage - January 5, 2009
The fear of ice and snow and slush embedded in my soul
A training run in winter - the path to Being whole.
A winter scene - Jamaica Pond - a feast for eyes' delight
To witness nature's splendor and behold this glorious sight.
A leaf - a tiny dancer - skating free without a sound
God's breath directs her movements, as She guides her twirling 'round.
Families of ducks decide to walk or take a dip
A comedy of errors into icy water slip.
The branches now bejeweled with ice bend with loving Grace
Sparkling diamonds' anchor water's surface hold in place.
God's hand a glove of glistening snow hugs rocks along the wall
Their heads peek out reminding me I'm answering God's call.
A scene I'd never witness if I let my fear take hold
Courage triumphed, steppin' out with footsteps sure and bold.
Knowing that the pain subsides and Spirit can prevail
The Marathon is beckoning - through those miles I shall sail.
And if you need a little boost of courage do what Rodgers and Hammerstein recommend - Whistle a Happy Tune Go ahead and sing along --
For more inspiration, purchase a copy of my book "New World Greetings". Remember I donate 20% to Spaulding Rehab's International Rehab Center for Polio.
With all these wonderful events happening this Spring, why purchase a card that comes close to what you want to say. At New World Greeting Cards we create an original poem that breathes life into the words you want to say.
Be sure to check out the exciting News and Events page.
Showing posts with label 2010 Boston Marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 Boston Marathon. Show all posts
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Exercise as an Expression of Love
This morning I had an aha moment while doing my morning workout. Exercise is an expression of love and I want to lavish this kind of love on my body every day. As a polio survivor I would see exercise as a drudgery. I hated my body and disconnected my head from my body for years! Gym class was always a nightmare for me - well except for that one day when everyone moved in from the outfield chanting their usual 'easy out' when I came up to the plate for kick ball. I connected with the ball and bam out it went only no one was in the outfield to make a play so I ended making a home run. But I digress.... I know many people struggle with making time to exercise, embracing exercise as a part of life and either push themselves to exhaustion or injury or don't even get off of the couch. I'm here to say - let's celebrate the gift of our bodies - the sacred temple that God gave us and take time each day to express that love through exercise.
As I lifted the weights I imagined building the muscle, nerve and bone connection. I imagined my bones as strong and healthy (especially in my spine and hip where the doctors say I 'have' osteoporosis). I focused on my form and compared myself to an Olympic athlete - yes this 56 year old woman can imagine herself to be anything she wants to be and so I steadied myself on the pilates ball with the spirit of a champion - right here in my own house. I am limited to a maximum of three pounds; my physical therapist and I designed a lower body strength training program which uses gravity and body weight to strengthen muscles since we want to protect the cervical spine. Regardless, I am loving and honoring this sacred temple.
When I conceptualize exercise as an expression of love, all the drudgery melts away. It becomes a celebration of life and love. I look at my record which I keep to track progress and look at how far I have come since I began upper body strength training last October. When training for a marathon, it's easy to mark progress - speed, distance but strength training is more subtle to measure. I love it when I feel sore because that's telling me I've worked the muscles. I also look at where I began - no weights, only a few reps and now I'm using weights. I could hardly hold myself in good form on the pilates ball and now I feel like a champion!
This weekend I will be at the Hyannis Marathon Race Expo I'll be signing copies of my book of inspirational poetry "New World Greetings" and sharing my journey from post polio to the Boston Marathon finish line. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by. If you cannot attend the Expo, you can purchase copies of my book through my website and remember I donate 20% of book proceeds to Spaulding Rehab's Polio Fund where I took the first steps on my healing journey.
Remember for every occasion, reach in and reach out to someone you love with a New World Greeting Card Easter is April 4th and engagement and wedding season is right around the corner!
As I lifted the weights I imagined building the muscle, nerve and bone connection. I imagined my bones as strong and healthy (especially in my spine and hip where the doctors say I 'have' osteoporosis). I focused on my form and compared myself to an Olympic athlete - yes this 56 year old woman can imagine herself to be anything she wants to be and so I steadied myself on the pilates ball with the spirit of a champion - right here in my own house. I am limited to a maximum of three pounds; my physical therapist and I designed a lower body strength training program which uses gravity and body weight to strengthen muscles since we want to protect the cervical spine. Regardless, I am loving and honoring this sacred temple.
When I conceptualize exercise as an expression of love, all the drudgery melts away. It becomes a celebration of life and love. I look at my record which I keep to track progress and look at how far I have come since I began upper body strength training last October. When training for a marathon, it's easy to mark progress - speed, distance but strength training is more subtle to measure. I love it when I feel sore because that's telling me I've worked the muscles. I also look at where I began - no weights, only a few reps and now I'm using weights. I could hardly hold myself in good form on the pilates ball and now I feel like a champion!
This weekend I will be at the Hyannis Marathon Race Expo I'll be signing copies of my book of inspirational poetry "New World Greetings" and sharing my journey from post polio to the Boston Marathon finish line. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by. If you cannot attend the Expo, you can purchase copies of my book through my website and remember I donate 20% of book proceeds to Spaulding Rehab's Polio Fund where I took the first steps on my healing journey.
Remember for every occasion, reach in and reach out to someone you love with a New World Greeting Card Easter is April 4th and engagement and wedding season is right around the corner!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Blessings of New Beginnings
The first month of 2010 is over and life is amazing! I thought that I would be getting ready to pack up my house and move to Florida this October but life takes interesting twists and turns. I believe in my heart that God stepped in and opened our eyes to the realization that my husband and I need to stay put. I mentioned in my blog a few weeks ago about a sign of two robins outside my window. My husband and I will be 'empty nesters' once my daughter flies off to Tennessee and now is our time to feather our nest with love as we plan for retirement. I so wanted my husband to be his own boss and go into semi retirement but I am so incredibly grateful for his job. He discovered through this past six month journey how much he appreciates his job and all of the benefits it affords. We realized that we cannot rush into anything and chase after something we believe to be 'better'. The life's lessons we have learned and how we have grown is absolutely priceless and I am so grateful for all that is wonderful in my life.
I did learn about the world of health insurance as we set forth to explore what options are available for a self employed person. My husband has two pre existing conditions which preclude him from getting health care in Florida unless he were to go on COBRA and have COBRA expire. There is a state plan available but coverage is minimal. We are so blessed that we have excellent health care coverage. Although the premiums increased by $150 this year per pay period, we are blessed to know that whatever health and dental care we need, we can receive at minimal cost. And I am going to be eligible to receive Medicare beginning in May. God has truly blessed me and showered me with abundance.
So what do I with the gratitude that is overflowing in my heart? I pour it out into the world. I am so blessed to be a patient partner for Spaulding Rehab's Race for Rehab Team. Russ Smith who is also a former Spaulding patient is running the 2010 Boston Marathon in my honor. Visit his Firstgiving Website and make a donation in my honor. Let us help others celebrate in the victory of Remarkable Recoveries.
My dear friend Darien Marshall, host of Its All About You and City Enlightenment and I have been providing support and spiritual counsel to each other as we continue to expand and grow in our gifts. He enlisted my support for his new show City Enlightenment and I discovered I am writing my 3rd book of inspirational poetry. He asked if I would be a guest co host and then I felt the stirrings of asking him about being his 'regular' co host for the show. I had been offered the opportunity to be a radio talk show host for my own show several months back and it just didn't feel right. I felt as though I had been interviewing people for years as a social worker and did not want the responsibility of hosting my own show. I also enjoyed being a guest on shows to share my journey. I feel as though Darien has pulled me from being a back up singer to being in the spotlight (to use an American Idol analogy). I must admit, I am so excited about this opportunity. I will have the opportunity to research the fabulous guests for the show as well as share my gift of poetry. I feel such joy and gratitude in my heart for what God has laid at my feet.
Last week I had the blessed opportunity to speak at the Dedham Rotary Club. Last Sunday and Monday my energy was low but I decided that I needed to push past the feelings and follow my bliss. I email'ed the Secretary of the Dedham Rotary Club and she called me to tell me that the speaker who was scheduled for last Thursday cancelled at the last minute; was I available to speak? The members of this Club warmly welcomed me. I sat with the President of the Club who did not tell me until I began my talk that she too is a polio survivor. I always ask if anyone has been touched by polio or post polio syndrome before I launch into sharing my journey. I did notice that she had slender legs and a tremor but didn't connect her to being a polio survivor. Members came up to me after the meeting; not only did they purchase copies of my book (and I donated 20% of the proceeds to the Club's Polio Plus or End Polio Now campaign) but told me how much I inspired them. They are going to share my information with other Clubs in the area.
And there you have it! So many wonderful new beginnings none of which I foresaw when we toasted in the New Year. I had envisioned the new beginning happening in Florida but instead it's happening right here in my own backyard in Brookline, Massachusetts. And I am so blessed and grateful.
Valentines Day is just a few weeks away. Reach in and reach out to someone you love at New World Greeting Cards It's more than a card it's a gift from the heart. And give the gift of inspiration by purchasing a copy of "New World Greetings:Inspirational Poetry and Musings for a New World." Remember I donate 20% of book proceeds to Spaulding Rehab's Polio Fund.
I did learn about the world of health insurance as we set forth to explore what options are available for a self employed person. My husband has two pre existing conditions which preclude him from getting health care in Florida unless he were to go on COBRA and have COBRA expire. There is a state plan available but coverage is minimal. We are so blessed that we have excellent health care coverage. Although the premiums increased by $150 this year per pay period, we are blessed to know that whatever health and dental care we need, we can receive at minimal cost. And I am going to be eligible to receive Medicare beginning in May. God has truly blessed me and showered me with abundance.
So what do I with the gratitude that is overflowing in my heart? I pour it out into the world. I am so blessed to be a patient partner for Spaulding Rehab's Race for Rehab Team. Russ Smith who is also a former Spaulding patient is running the 2010 Boston Marathon in my honor. Visit his Firstgiving Website and make a donation in my honor. Let us help others celebrate in the victory of Remarkable Recoveries.
My dear friend Darien Marshall, host of Its All About You and City Enlightenment and I have been providing support and spiritual counsel to each other as we continue to expand and grow in our gifts. He enlisted my support for his new show City Enlightenment and I discovered I am writing my 3rd book of inspirational poetry. He asked if I would be a guest co host and then I felt the stirrings of asking him about being his 'regular' co host for the show. I had been offered the opportunity to be a radio talk show host for my own show several months back and it just didn't feel right. I felt as though I had been interviewing people for years as a social worker and did not want the responsibility of hosting my own show. I also enjoyed being a guest on shows to share my journey. I feel as though Darien has pulled me from being a back up singer to being in the spotlight (to use an American Idol analogy). I must admit, I am so excited about this opportunity. I will have the opportunity to research the fabulous guests for the show as well as share my gift of poetry. I feel such joy and gratitude in my heart for what God has laid at my feet.
Last week I had the blessed opportunity to speak at the Dedham Rotary Club. Last Sunday and Monday my energy was low but I decided that I needed to push past the feelings and follow my bliss. I email'ed the Secretary of the Dedham Rotary Club and she called me to tell me that the speaker who was scheduled for last Thursday cancelled at the last minute; was I available to speak? The members of this Club warmly welcomed me. I sat with the President of the Club who did not tell me until I began my talk that she too is a polio survivor. I always ask if anyone has been touched by polio or post polio syndrome before I launch into sharing my journey. I did notice that she had slender legs and a tremor but didn't connect her to being a polio survivor. Members came up to me after the meeting; not only did they purchase copies of my book (and I donated 20% of the proceeds to the Club's Polio Plus or End Polio Now campaign) but told me how much I inspired them. They are going to share my information with other Clubs in the area.
And there you have it! So many wonderful new beginnings none of which I foresaw when we toasted in the New Year. I had envisioned the new beginning happening in Florida but instead it's happening right here in my own backyard in Brookline, Massachusetts. And I am so blessed and grateful.
Valentines Day is just a few weeks away. Reach in and reach out to someone you love at New World Greeting Cards It's more than a card it's a gift from the heart. And give the gift of inspiration by purchasing a copy of "New World Greetings:Inspirational Poetry and Musings for a New World." Remember I donate 20% of book proceeds to Spaulding Rehab's Polio Fund.
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