That is Why I Write

I write because putting thoughts on paper makes room in my head for more thoughts. I also write because I want to share little pieces of wisdom and great lessons I have learned throughout the years. Often, the simple act of writing brings satisfaction enough. Book sales are rewarding, too. The greatest reward, however, is when someone takes what they have read from your writing, puts it into practice, and thanks you for helping them grow. That is why I write.

My friend, JoEllen, decided to do just that. She recognized a need to improve her health through activity. She honored me by trusting my experience as a mature runner to help her in her fitness goal. She purchased my book, Run at Any Age: A Beginner's Guide for Adults, and began putting the things I share into practice. Each time she shares her experiences in a Facebook post, blog post, or personal text message, it warms my heart. That is why I write.

As we discussed a discomfort she was experiencing, she indicated that she knew it was temporary. If she endured it for the first mile, it went away. I reminded her of one of the lessons regarding pain one must endure in, The Hard Run, which she has also read. She replied, "That's right. It makes so much more sense now!" That is why I write.

Each time a reader comments, "I can hear your voice when I read your work," or "I get it. That is exactly what I needed to hear," I am encouraged. My most recent favorite comes from JoEllen, "I was going to underline the important stuff, but I would have to underline the whole book!" That is why I write!

If you are looking for words of encouragement and practical advice - and if you are a little bit brave and wish to begin running - Run at Any Age can help. Get over your fears and put one foot in front of the other. I want you to be around and able to play with your grandchildren - that's why I run. I want you to be able to be successful at any age.

That is why I write.


Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green

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Fate or Agency?

I believe in agency. Our lives are not destined to follow a predetermined path no matter our choices. We have the ability to choose how we will act and react at any given time.

That's one reason I enjoy a good fortune cookie like this one. It offers advice rather than inevitability. If and when a "bold beginning" presents itself, these words of encouragement will echo in my mind and urge me forward. Of course, bold beginnings are often intimidating like the start of a big race, a new employment opportunity, or the release of your first book - or third, or ninth! (It never gets easier!) However, I've heard many times that courage and bravery are not the lack of fear, but the strength to move forward in spite of fear.

I'm not a fatalist. I believe in agency. Still, I do enjoy words of wisdom wherever they are found - even in a fortune cookie!

Be bold!

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green

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Guest Blogger: Savanna writes about taking the plunge toward your dreams

My name is Savanna Taylor. I was born and raised in a small town called Parma, Idaho (perhaps you have heard of it?) After getting my degree in History Education, my husband Brycen got accepted to the Healthcare Administration program at WSU in Spokane, WA. We have one crazy daughter named Addlee who is smart, spunky, and has a lot of curly hair. I love a good book, anything that has to do with Real Housewives on Bravo, my family, shopping, and my religion. I love to blog, it is such a great outlet (even if being a mom might come first to updating it)!

Taking the Plunge

Last time I was a guest blogger for Carol, my life was totally different. I was in this limbo of where I wanted to go next. It is amazing how life works out, we moved, my husband got a job, and we bought a house. That is a significant amount of change I would say. It has been a crazy adventure, but a fun one. When we were in transition we lived with my parents in Parma, and it was a really awesome experience. I loved living with my parents, and Addlee loved that she got to see grandma and grandpa every day! My life has transformed even more lately, and I have taken an incredible journey of starting my own business.

While living there this summer we got invited to a LuLaRoe party. If you know me I really am not a fan of home parties. I just feel so much pressure to buy something, and I don’t like that. LuLaRoe is a clothing line though, and I LOVE clothes! When I went I was impressed with the sizes and variety. As a curvy girl finding clothes that I love and that look good on me are pretty much impossible. I make it work though, and after finding LuLaRoe, I fell in love. Soon I was on Facebook trying to find more clothes. Here is the catch of it, each consultant has the same styles but different prints. So if you want a pair of leggings with purple dots you have to search, and then you become obsessed with finding it. It is so crazy! Soon I was in 100 different groups trying to find a certain dress or leggings. I needed an intervention!

I shared my obsession with my mom, who loves clothes probably more than me. She’s an amazing dresser, finds the best deals, and her outfits are on point (I learned from the best)! We helped each other find our “unicorns.” Yes, a unicorn, not the mythical creature of fairy tales, but a print that is rare or highly sought after. Side note – people are OBSESSED with finding their unicorn. Anyway, I started to think,” You know I could totally sell these clothes.”  Then I thought, “No, I don’t do direct sales,. I don’t do things like that.” The more I kept searching for more LuLaRoe, the more I thought I could totally sell it. My mom thought the same thing. Together with my sister-in-law’s and financial backing from my brother we took the plunge! We have been so successful, more than I ever dreamed.



The Rivercity Roe Team



The whole reason behind this whole story is the continuance of my last blog post, the point of not standing still or waiting for life to happen, but to dare to push yourself. Have I been busier than before? Yes. Am I potty training my two year old at the same time? Yes. I have also found something that I love to do, and as my husband told me, you found that spark you’ve been missing. I was happy, but I think I just needed to find something else that I loved and share it with others. It has helped my confidence grow, and seeing other’s confidence grow is the best feeling. I get to sell clothes that I love to other women who love it just as much as me!

So find something that you love to do, and share it with others! Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t be afraid that no one will support you, and don’t be afraid to push yourself. Those are the most important things I have learned. Mostly, don’t be afraid to push play on your dreams. You can do it! Don’t just put a toe in either. Jump in. ALL in! Even if you aren’t successful to the world’s standards, you pushed yourself and that reward is the best reward! 

Follow Savanna's blog Savanna's Saga's

 Rivercity Roe on Facebook

Visit my Guest Blogger page to get to know all my blogging friends.

Happy Running!

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I got a WIN!

 

I got a win!  Not the kind you are thinking of.  Many years ago some friends and I attended a “positive thinking” seminar.  I thought most of it was bogus, but I do remember one thing I brought away from it.  The instructor told us to list our “Wins.”  Wins were defined as:  Something positive that happens to you that day.  For instance, you find a great parking spot – you got a win!  Your favorite running shoes went on sale – you got a win.  And so forth. My friends and I hung on to that thought and when we had something positive to share we prefaced it with, “I got a win!”

Here is my win. 

An old school mate of mine, now a friend on Facebook, asked for running advice!  Advice from me?  I’m just an old running grandma.  But then, she is probably a grandma, too, and we have our own little concerns when it comes to taking up hobbies like running.  What if it hurts?  What if I can’t do it?  What if somebody sees me and thinks, “What is that old lady doing?”  What if it kills me!

I’m grateful she felt like she could ask and that I would have something to offer.  I’m grateful that I did have some bits of wisdom I have accumulated since beginning to run 4 ½ years ago.  Here are a couple of them.

• Just start – Even if you only go a few hundred yards that is farther than you ran yesterday.
• Good Shoes – A must!
• Running buddies – There is nothing more helpful.
• Music – If there are no running buddies to be had.
• RICE – Rest.  Ice.  Compression.  Elevation.

I’m excited to see her progress, and … I am grateful that she is the one just beginning this journey and not me!

Question: Have you been able to offer advice and encouragement to someone because you have already travelled the road?  How did that make you feel?

HAPPY RUNNING!

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