Dance!

DANCE LIKE NO ONE'S WATCHING
Author Unknown

We convince ourselves that life 
will be better after we get married, 
have a baby, then another. 
Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough 
and we'll be more content when they are.

After that we're frustrated that we 
have teenagers to deal with, 
we will certainly be happy 
when they are out of that stage.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete 
when our spouse gets his or her act together, 
when we get a nicer car, 
are able to go on a nice vacation, 
when we retire. 
The truth is there's no better time 
to be happy than right now. 
If not now, when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges. 
It's best to admit this to yourself 
and decide to be happy anyway. 
One of my favorite quotes comes 
from Alfred D Souza.

He said, "For a long time it had seemed 
to me that life was about to begin -real life. 
But there was always some obstacle in the way, 
something to be gotten through first, 
some unfinished business, 
time still to be served, 
a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. 
At last it dawned on me that these 
obstacles were my life."

This perspective has helped me to see 
that there is no way to happiness. 
Happiness is the way, 
so, treasure every moment that you have. 
And treasure it more because you shared it 
with someone special, 
special enough to spend your time... 
and remember that time waits for no one.

So stop waiting until you finish school, 
until you go back to school, 
until you lose ten pounds, 
until you gain ten pounds, 
until you have kids, 
until your kids leave the house, 
until you start work, 
until you retire, 
until you get married, 
until you get divorced, 
until Friday night, 
until Sunday morning, 
until you get a new car or home, 
until your car or home is paid off, 
until spring, until summer, 
until fall, until winter, 
until you are off welfare, 
until the first or fifteenth, 
until your song comes on, 
until you've had a drink, 
until you've sobered up, 
until you die, until you are born again 
to decide that there is no better time 
than right now to be happy... 
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

So, work like you don't need money. 
Love like you've never been hurt and 
dance like no one's watching.

So today...do a dance! Turn on the tunes and jam or dance to that private tune in your head only you can hear. Today is your day to dance.....just because it is today and you are alive!

Gratitude is a Funny Thing

"I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good"
"For Good" Wicked

Gratitude is a funny thing. The more you give the more you receive. People thank me all the time for things and it makes me uncomfortable. I do the things I do because it fulfills me and makes me happy...not because I look for the 'thank you'. I do the things I do because I feel it is my duty to pay forward every kind deed ever done for me. I do the things I do to make the world a better place.

What I have come to realize is that these simple acts of kindness fill me up. I am the one that should be saying thank you to these people who have come into my life and allowed me to be a better, stronger human being. The girls I coach give me wonderful gifts each and every time we are together. I learn new things about them as well as myself. The students I teach...well...they teach me something new each and every day. I learn from them how to become a better teacher....a more compassionate, caring, flexible teacher. I run to support 2 charities and they are so grateful for the money raised...but it is me who should be grateful to them as the children they service give each and every footfall of my running new meaning and purpose. New runners ask me for advice and training assistance. While I feel totally unqualified to give any advice on running, I repeat advice I have been given. I learn some of the basics all over again just in repeating these words of wisdom. I stand on the shoulders of all the people that have helped me get to where I am....to become the person I am....I did not get here alone.

There are people that come into our lives for a reason....For me that reason is to learn from them and then pay it forward. Gratitude is a funny thing....the more you give the more you get. So to all who have given to me I say thank you. You raise me up....

"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up: To more than I can be."
"You Raise Me Up" Josh Groban