Jeff and I are in peak week, running our longest run on Friday, three weeks before the Grand Rapids Half Marathon. We've 15 miles planned, complete with course picked out and water and Gatorade stashed along the route.

Tuesday morning we ran 5 miles, once again, or at least for the second day in a row, missing the rain (which is coming down as I write this post). The run was great...sprinting along through the city and seeing some ArtPrize pieces.

This morning we faced the rain, consequently running 8 miles or 56 laps on the track at the YMCA. If we have nothing, we have commitment!

Best Week Ever (or at least in recent memory)

What makes a great week? 1. Staying in touch with new and old friends who make a difference. 2. Getting miles in, even when it's hard, and I'm by myself--because we promised. 3. Getting clarity at work--knowing what to do and why-even when it's a lot. 4. Being with friends who get promotions and make progress with their professional goals. 5. Meeting new folks who are so inspired that they are inspiring. 6. Getting to a race that is struggling for runners...debating whether or not to run it (even though we're registered); running the race (which was laughably unorganized--brimming with sincerity, but drowning in confusion)--and finishing in the top 10! 7. Going to Founders Brewery to celebrate the triumph of an acquaintance who is outrunning cancer--and while there, bonding with other caring runners who each have hearts bursting with love. 8. Getting a very long run finished after all the above (16 miles in 24 hours) and having a remarkable conversation along the way. 9. Being with friends who have lost loved ones and feel stronger because of those transitions. 10. Finding deep friendship over peanuts and beer.

I learn by going where I have to go

The Waking

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me, so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.

T. Roethke

August

The longing is like
a fever
which I hope soon breaks

Allowing Awareness

"We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit."
— E.E. Cummings

Is this not enough?

This photo was actually taken by my friend, Art. We were at Ravinia last weekend to see and hear Jennifer Hudson, who was amazing!

Lately I've been inspired by the metaphor of "dancing." It all began with a spontaneous urge at a Pink Martini concert, then Jennifer Hudson at Ravinia, and yesterday I remembered Matt Alber's perfect video of End of the World.

I also often think of dancing while I'm running...rhythm, staying in step with my running buddy or our small (but mighty!) group of early morning runners.

This morning I chose some music at random and up popped DMB's terrific song, Pig.


Oh, isn't it strange
How we move our lives for another day?
Like skipping a beat
What if a great wave should wash us all away?
Just thinking out loud
Don't mean to dwell on this dying thing
But look at my blood
It's alive right now,
And deep and sweet within
Pouring through our veins
Intoxicate moving wine to tears
And drinking it deep
Then an evening spent dancing
It's you and me...

This love will open our world
From the dark side we can see a glow of something bright
Oh, there's much more than we see here
Don't burn the day away

Is this not enough?
This blessed sip of life,
Is it not enough?
Staring down at the ground
Oh, then complain and pray for more from above,
You greedy little pig
Stop, just watch your world trickle away
Oh, it's your problem now
It'll all be dead and gone in a few short years

Just love will open our eyes
Just love will put the hope back in our minds
Much more than we could ever know
Oh, so don't burn the day away
Don't burn the day away

Come sister, my brother
Shake up your bones, shake up your feet
I'm saying open up
And let the rain come pouring in
Wash out this tired notion
That the best is yet to come
But while you're dancing on the ground
Don't think of when you're gone

Love, love, love, what more is there?
'Cause we need the light of love in here
Don't beat your head
Dry your eyes
Let the love in there
There's bad times
But that's okay
Just look for love in it

And don't burn the day away...

Look, here are we
On this starry night, staring into space
And I must say
I feel as small as dust lying down here

What point could there be troubling?
Head down wondering what will become of me?
Why concern "WHAT" we cannot see
But no reason to abandon it
The time is short but that's all right
Maybe I'll go in the middle of the night
Take your hands from your eyes, my love
All good things must come to an end some time
But don't burn the day away
Don't burn the day away...

Come sister, my brother
Shake up your bones, shake up your feet
I'm saying open up
And let the rain come flooding in
Wash out this tired notion
That the best is yet to come
But while you're dancing on the ground
Don't think of when you're gone

Love, love, love, what more is there?
'Cause we need the light of love in here
Don't beat your head
Dry your eyes
Let the love in there
There're bad times
But that's okay
Just look for love in it

Ten Tuesday Thoughts (Written on Wednesday Morning)

Looking through a garden gate in Saugatuck, MI

Tuesday was quite the day. I'm just settling back into my work routine after enjoying two weeks (mostly) away from my office (I say "mostly" because I am almost never free from my self-imposed monitoring of email...but that's another post).



John was away for most of the first week, which gave me some time to be alone and putter...going to Saugatuck, Barnes and Noble, and playing the piano. The second week we enjoyed the company of John's mother and father and niece and nephew as well as my mother who all stayed with us.

But, upon their return to southern Illinois this past weekend, I began to reflect on their lives. So my mind became a jungle for monkey mind...thinking about aging, caretaking, retirement, financial planning...all those adult things.

To make matters more complicated, Toonces, our precious cat of 18 years seriously declined and we had to allow him to transition...and then Monday afternoon we endured a harsh storm that took a large part of one of our maple trees down.

Here's what I've been reflecting on:

1. If you cannot adapt to change, you cannot grow.
2. Letting go of something or someone you love allows the heart an important opportunity to expand. That's why it hurts.
3. Motivation is nice, but one must be able to do without it.
4.  If you choose do something, do it with your entire being. If you find the time isn't right (for whatever reason), let it go completely. Your actions are important. Don't be half-assed about them.
5. Empathize before speaking. Think of what it would be like to be the person hearing your message. Always leave the door open for more conversation.
6. If you are closing the door on future conversations, do that with respect and grace. 
7. Avoid drama. It's old and predictable to many of us. Be original with your kindness.
8. Say what you mean, but do it respectfully. Challenge yourself to find the right words even when delivering a critical or difficult message.
9. Plan, but be flexible. Let life unfold as it does...learn to ride the waves.
10. Give more than you get...make generosity--in goods, friendships, family relationships, with colleagues, and strangers robust and filled with energy.