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Friday, October 19, 2007


I am still on cloud nine.
I have been writing down and finally making a list of all the little things that motivated me to set my goal this year of running a marathon and I decided this morning to go back and read why I picked my word of the year.
I can't believe that as much as I talk about my word of the year, this is the first time I have gone back and read the details of why I picked this word. This is why writing things down is so AWESOME! I had not remembered a few things I wrote down. I can't thank Michelle enough for encouraging me to pick just one little word.
S t r e t c h

My word of the year that I picked for myself is Stretch.

The reason I picked this word for the year is because I feel like there are some things in my life that come really easy to me. I tend to take advantage of these things and settle with them instead of using them as a head start and really push myself and run with them.(amazing that I phrased it like this)
For example there have been many times I have spoken at church or given a lesson where I don't spend much time preparing or may even just stand up with little or no outline. In the end I do just fine, but always feel like if I would have taken those gifts and prepared or really "stretched" myself I would feel better and learned more.
I never stretch out before or after going to the gym. I can barely even touch my toes. I want to stretch myself physically (at the time I was not even thinking of physical goals) this year just as well as mentally
I have Fibromyalgia and always feel like my body is in one big knot anyway and I know stretching would probably help it feel a lot better. I can't stand getting massages but always dream of getting on some stretching board and having 4 people pull me every-which-way.
So, this year I hope to take the talents I have been given and stretch them out a little more and see what they can do.

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes

It is amazing how awesome this quote was to go back and read today, because my mind is in such a "what next mode" .

15 comments:

Unknown said...

i love to read over things i've written in the past. it's amazing how much we forget in just a short time.

i wonder if i'll be able to pick a word for next year. i'm actually stressing out about that a little.

everything pink! said...

lelly, then pick the word stress, then it will help you learn not to.
you can do it and you will pick a great word!

Jennifer (mom of four) said...

What a great word!! What a great way to journal your year! Did you wear your necklace when you ran the marathon?

Have a great weekend!!!

everything pink! said...

Jen,
i did wear it and would rub it every few miles to remind me of my goal. i usually never wear jewelery, even my wedding ring. but i wore the necklace and my ring. i would look at the ring and think of how much jeff wanted me to finish my goal.
so between writing on my feet, beads on my shoes, writing on my hand, my wedding ring, and my necklace, pink bow in my hair - i was full of little things to push me.

Laurie said...

What a great quote! And a great word too.

denise @ little ant design said...

I have been reading and re-reading your posts since the marathon. I want to share so many thoughts with you but haven't had a moment to write them down. I saw the quote for todays post and just had to take a quick minute to comment...you are a great example.

I love the word you chose and the fact that you truly did make efforts to follow that word this year.

Thank you for sharing all your thoughts and feelings - you have helped to motivate more then a few people I am sure.

Lisa said...

Great word and good luck!!

Jan said...

Not sure how I found your blog but loved reading about your marathon. Congratulations! I love your word pick -- mine has to be 'blessed'. I am very blessed and I need to remember that. Thanks for the uplift today.

andrea said...

I'm still on cloud 9 for you. You are such an inspiration. I have loved reading about this whole experience.

Amanda :-) said...

It's amazing to look at what you've achieved when you remember that you suffer with Fibromyalgia.

Incidentally, our church has just started a Fibromyalgia Support Group, and I thought of you as soon as I saw the notice sheet.

You conjure up a funny mental image with your running 'accoutrements'. You must've been quite the trinket lady as you ran along with all your bits and bobs!

kara jayne said...

Yikes!!! This is what I get for being SO BEHIND on my blog reading. I TOTOALLY missed all your posts on one of my FAVORITE things...RUNNING! I am SO PROUD of you. Isn't it the best feeling in the world to cross that finish line? I just ran the St. George Marathon on the 6th. I think its so great that you kept it a secret. CONGRATS KRISTI!!

Jill said...

It's so cool that your word for this year has impacted you so much, and even cooler that you can be sitting at home writing this having ran a marathon the week before! It reminds me that we're all capable of great things, but that we limit ourselves by setting our goals to low (or not at all). You surprised yourself by achieving this and hadn't even originally set out to run a marathon. It's inspiring and amazing!

Jamie said...

You are quite amazing! Your passion and determination are inspiring.
Coming from someone who isn't the least bit interested in running, the marathon is that much more impressive.
Way to go!!

michelle said...

I'm just blown away by how much you have pushed yourself to stretch this year, Kristi. How I wish I had worked as hard to "free" myself from unwanted clutter in my life. I've made a little progress, but nothing even close to what you have accomplished. I am so proud of you!

Bond Girl 007 said...

amazing...this is a complex word...but you can stretch it for sure...