Guest Blogger: Savanna writes about Moving Forward



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)!

Push Play

It seems lately that my life has been put on pause. It is waiting for the next “big step” in life. My husband is finishing up graduate school at Washington State University in Spokane and we are still jobless. So imagine that every time the phone rings you hope it is good news, or every email is a “can we have an interview?” email, but alas nothing. I have envisioned myself already living in seven different states before he even got a rejection letter. I didn’t want to buy a deeply discounted jacket for my baby for next winter because “what if I live in Arizona?” crossed my mind. I am silly that way. That is just one example though, of how I have been putting my life on hold lately. 

My family recently had some major changes happen in it (I will spare details, let us just say it changed the career path of several people) and all of the sudden I was left thinking that everything I knew as normal was suddenly well not normal. I thought, they should just stick it out, just let it blow over, just hit pause. Now I see though, that by pushing that play button of life and making things happen they found out how much happier they really can be.



Playing with a toy any way she wants!

I have found that if I hit pause on my life and wait for something to happen I often miss the most important parts of it. I miss the opportunities to hang out with my friends, continue to explore a city I have grown to love, and even the little moments with my small family. I have put off big decisions because I am waiting for the next scene of life. Like a movie, I am paused. I had the thought, “why am I not enjoying this life I have? Why am I waiting for life to happen?” Think of it like the lottery, you won’t win it if you don’t play it (granted your chances are very slim). Isn’t our life like the lottery though? Think of all the amazing things that you and I take for granted every day, hello we have running water! I just think of how we sit and wait for a trial to pass, or sit and wait for the rainy day to be over, or sit and wait for that clock to slowly click to 5:00 p.m. so we can leave only to rush home and sit in front of a TV. I love to watch my 18 month old daughter play. If she gets frustrated with something she just throws it down and moves on to something else. She doesn’t just sit there and wait, she reacts, and she moves on, she finds something else! We are not meant to be stagnant. Either we are moving forward or moving backward. There is no pause. So if we live life in this limbo we really are doing ourselves a disservice. Today I went to the store and I bought that discounted jacket, because even if I do live in Arizona, California, or Alaska I did something progressive. I planned for the future, I embraced this pause in life, I recognized it, and I decided to push play.

 Follow Savanna's blog Savanna's Saga's

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Tuesdays Training Tip: Read something inspiring

That’s right, I said READ something inspiring.  I’m not talking about a fortune cookie, or a subway print found on Pinterest, or even this blog – although I am grateful you are here!  I’m talking about reading a book that inspires you and leaves you wanting to do and be more.

My daughter sent me a text to tell me her six year-old can read Green Eggs and Ham.  It’s one of my favorites, 1) because it is challenging and entertaining to read aloud, and 2) its message is to try new things.  I love to read it to my grandchildren and now they can begin to read it to me.

I once read “Mary Kay” by Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics. It left me feeling encouraged and capable.

The Hobbit brought my nightmares to life and taught me that everyone has talents and purpose. I haven’t read it as many times as I’ve read Green Eggs and Ham or my favorite book of scripture, but it’s a repeated read.

I am currently reading Running the Edge loaned to me be a cousin of one of the authors.  I’m learning some things about running that I did not know.

Why read as part of a training plan? 

Reading something that inspires, uplifts, or encourages doing ones best helps her stay on the path both mentally and physically. Sometimes we need a mental or emotional boost to keep doing things that are hard, and running is hard, but it’s worth it!

Question: Have you read a book that truly inspired you?

Tune in every Tuesday for more training tips and visit my Training Tips page to find all the tips you may have missed.

Happy Running!

Guest Blogger: Kristey writes about love

Hello! I'm Kristey. I love to write, it soothes me, and some of it may interest or even help someone. I gave birth to 4 amazing people, and I live in a sleepy little town outside of Boise Idaho, where I drive a school bus! I am an active member of the LDS church. I love to laugh and tease, but I have a mean streak that most people will never see.  I can be a little eccentric at times. I love to look at train tags, and I can never get enough chocolate. I dream of water often, and love to be in it or near it. My favorite beach in the world (so far) is Point-No-Point Beach near Kingston, Washington, where I lived for 8 years. I am constantly at battle with a weird, re-appearing black monster in my head and I am prone to addictions. I love to help people talk out their problems, and feel better.  I am not big into animals, but I can appreciate them.  I hate spiders, bullies, and seafood. I hope to be a published writer someday!

 

BIG GIRL

I am a big girl. I have always been a big girl.  I spent a huge chunk of my life hating myself, for that reason. I hated the fact that not only was I ashamed of the way I looked, but I felt powerless against the people constantly pointing out my size, or ignoring me because of my size.  I felt powerless to stop my self-loathing - always wishing I was thinner, trimmer, smaller.  I was never happy with my appearance, and always watching for someone to give me that "ewwwwwe" look.  Always looking for the perfect outfit that would make me look good.  Always wanting to be beautiful.  Always wishing for guys to pay attention to me like they did the thin girls. Never wanting anyone to really look at me, because they would see all my insecurities bulging out of my skin. 

 

It is ironic to me that being "more" of a person (aka fat) can make you feel like "less" of a person.  Less valued.  Less worthy of love.  Less than human.  Less feeling.  It is one of the most looked down upon, prejudiced conditions that a person can be in.  Big people get discriminated against all the time.  Big people are often stereotyped as lazy, smelly, gluttonous, without discipline, and unattractive. Here's the thing: is being big REALLY the worst thing a person can be? What about a liar? A cheater? A mean person? Think about it … people don't snicker and point when a mean person walks by!

 

Okay, let’s get to the point . . .

 

I'm not advocating that we shouldn't take care of the bodies we are blessed with; we should be doing all we can for our health.  I am saying that when all is said and done, EVERYBODY deserves love!  Yep. We can love ourselves no matter what!! Too thin? You can still love yourself. Too tall? Yep. You can do it.  Stinky? Love yourself. And guess what? Iit works for other things, not just body types!! Missed a deadline? Love yourself anyway.  Are you a sinner? Love is the answer.  Bad hair day? You guessed it. . . love. Ate half a cake?  You know the answer! 

 

Every person in the world has a problem.  Fat is my problem. (One of them, anyway) but everybody deserves to love themselves.  Everybody has a DUTY to love themselves.  Most of the true and lasting changes I have made in myself were because I loved myself!!

 

Love is a VERB, an action.  Something we DO.

 

How do I love me? Let me count the ways   . . .

 

*I try to workout and take a walk every day, because it makes me feel better - physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.  It’s just good for me.

*I limit sugar and processed foods because they make me feel worse - in every way. 

*I remind myself that everyone has flaws and insecurities. Mine just happen to be really obvious.

*I do the best I can. (Most of the time.)

*I tell myself "I love you.”  I just look in the mirror and do it.  Then I smile because I feel good.

*I am kind to myself.  Would I say the things I tell myself to another person?

*I remind myself over and over as many times as it takes that my Father in Heaven loves me too, and it’s all going to work out fine.

 

Love is power! If you really want to improve yourself, try starting with loving yourself unconditionally.   If you are a big person, take that big restroom stall! Take the front seat in the car because you can't climb in the back!  Smile at those people who are looking at you from the corner of their eye when you eat in public! It doesn't matter what they are thinking! You know something that they don't. You know you are every bit as important, special, and worthy of love as anyone else on the planet! And that's true no matter what your problem is :)

 

Kristey Jensen

 

 

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Happy Running!

 

 

 



Tuesday's Training Tip: Take a rest

Believe it or not, athletes and wannabe athletes can benefit from taking a rest.  In fact training plans for any race length from 5K to marathon incorporate rest days into the schedule.  Rest days allow your body to recuperate from the challenges of a training schedule.  I have found that even a short break or rest during a run can sometimes help me run farther.

Catch your breath. A beginning runner, or even an experienced runner adding distance to her routine, can benefit from a short walk break.  For beginners a walk break is a chance to catch your breath and discover that you can recover and run a little farther.  Use these breaks to push yourself that extra half mile.  Next time you run, shorten the break but cover the same distance.

Rejuvenate your muscles. It’s okay to give your muscles a day off.  In fact, rest days may help to prevent injury, especially stress injuries.  If the schedule says to take time off – do it.

Take a brain break. I have found that rest days are as important to my mental commitment as they are to my physical well-being.  When I take time off I miss running and missing something, at least for me makes it all the more appealing. I miss the feeling of accomplishment I get after a good run. I miss the feeling of physical exhaustion and the relaxation of recovery.  I miss my running buddies.

Take a rest.  It’s okay.  In fact, it’s recommended!
(Runners World 10 Signs you need a rest day)
 
Read more about rest days HERE.

Visit this page every Tuesday for more training tips! I would love to hear from you. Comment below or message me on Facebook.

Happy Running!

Guest Blogger: Carlos writes about overcoming weakness

Meet Carlos, an educator, photographer, and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is also a husband, and a father. He and his wife, Bridgette, have one daughter. (Well, she is expected any day now!) Carlos is a Spanish high school teacher, and loves to photograph, spend time with his beautiful family, and be active in his church. You can visit Carlos’ photography website and personal blog at http://www.carlosrendonphotography.com 

 

Overcoming Our Weaknesses  

 

What are your weaknesses? What are your strengths? What are some things that used to be your weakness but are now strengths? How did you change? Who have you become?   Who helped you? 

  

Jesus Christ taught: “If [you] humble [yourself] before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto [you] (Ether 12:27, The Book of Mormon: another testament of Jesus Christ). 

  

I have found tremendous strength and comfort in knowing that if I place my faith in Jesus Christ I can do the impossible. And so can you.  

  

What are you willing to do to be who you want to be? 

  

Our whole existence in this life is to be happy! Yes! Happiness! So how do you do it?  

  

There’s a small phrase that I have told many people and I believe it to be true:  

  

  

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight 

 

To be happy you must work for it. Put your body into motion and that emotion will come. 

Be kind to the fellow that everyone hates 

Lift someone up 

Serve, serve and serve. 

  

A dear friend of mine taught me this powerful lesson:  

 

You love those whom you serve and you serve those whom you love.   

  

 True Love is true happiness. And serving everyone will give you that love, which love transforms our being into who we want to be.   Service is an expression of love and love, a powerful source of change. 

 

So why talk about happiness if you want to make your weakness, strengths?  

  

Happiness is that force that will drive you to believe and push yourself to be better and better. Happiness is a gift available to all that will do more for you than you have ever thought. 

  

Go home and write down the things you wish to be better at. Then next to those weaknesses find a way to love someone in the process of seeking to do better. For example, if you want to be a better husband, or child, you might consider making dinner for your wife, or cleaning the entire kitchen for your mother. 

  

In all, we are endowed with the seeds of greatness, so trust in God and go and make your weakness strong as you serve, love and be happy. 

 

Follow Carlos at CarlosRendonPhotography. Give him a visit and show him some love.  He's going to be a daddy soon!

 

Visit my Guest Blogger Page to get to know all my blogging friends!

Happy Running!

Guest Blogger: Rebecca writes about making changes

Meet Rebecca Martin, the founder and CEO of dear jane Inc., a career services company. Her mission isn’t simply to get people hired but to help them discover their calling and turn it into a career they can be passionate about. She has helped newcomers to retirees find meaningful work and has coached successful business owners through career-changing transitions.

  

Hope Springs Eternal!

A Time to Rediscover, Renew & Change

Do you ever stop and take an inventory of your life? Or are you on auto pilot? We rarely step back and reflect on how we operate in our daily lives.

We just keep plugging away and sometimes wake after five years and ask ourselves, “Who am I? What am I doing with my life and career?” Sometimes we might even ask ourselves, “Do I even like my life?”

We can get into a rut, and lose our passion and joy.   

I recommend to all my clients to rediscover their passion and joy. How to do this? By conducting an assessment about what they like and dislike about their jobs, careers, relationships and lives. Once they find this out, they can make changes and get themselves back on the right track. 

If someone wants to improve a skill, change a negative behavior pattern, or just get another job, this exercise will also help them get back on track. 

It’s your turn.

Take a moment to think about what you like and dislike about your current relationships, job, career or even your life in general. Now, imagine YOU are the BOSS of your own life. How can you change your dislikes into likes? What are the next steps you have to take in order to make those changes? 

 

Once you define what you need to do to make the changes in your life, CAN YOU?

Let’s talk about what motivates people to change.

It could be a number of things. Everyone is different. 

However, in general there are two things that motivate people to change.

1) You’re either in a lot of pain and/or fear.

2) You’re passionate about a goal and have a vision about doing something.

Most people don’t make changes easily; they usually go along with the status quo.

Change can be challenging! Stepping outside of your comfort zone and standing outside of the crowd isn’t always easy. But if you want to be true to yourself, you have to!

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD!

Individuals feel that they can’t make changes because it comes down to taking care of their basic needs: food, water and shelter. It’s overwhelming just to take care of the basics, so they ask how they can do more. Some people feel trapped in their lives because of their responsibilities, i.e., paying the mortgage or rent, taking care of children or spouses, or taking care of elderly parents.

It is easy to get overwhelmed. Figuring out where to begin to make the changes is sometimes too hard for people.  It’s really an internal struggle. But individuals need to know that they can make changes. 

But how?

They need to imagine themselves in other roles. Open their minds up to other possibilities. For example, if you have been a stay at home mom for the past twenty years, you might not feel like you can go back to school to get your teaching credential. Or you might feel that if you have been a Realtor your entire life that you are meant to stay in that profession until you retire. This is not true.

“All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination and then works its way out. Imagination is more important than knowledge.” 

Albert Einstein

Learning to daydream is so important. Don’t give up on your own dreams. 

Take the first step.  Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. 

Satisfaction and joy come to those people who figure out who they really are (their true selves) and not who they project themselves to be (their ideal personality, which puts a lot of stress on the individual). Find out about WHO YOU REALLY ARE. 

Life is a Marathon.

Think about a marathon. It is a grueling, 26.2-mile race. It takes a lot of preparation and work, and most people cannot run a marathon at a sprint pace. It is slow and challenging, but really owning it is a rewarding experience. Just think about all those months of preparation, and then the final moment of crossing the finish line.

Life is a marathon. It’s challenging at times. Gaining control one day at a time in your life is so important so that you, too, can cross a rewarding finish line.  Let’s say you are ready to look in your new field of vision, about yourself. Focus on are your core competencies, skills, personality traits, core values, aptitudes, etc.

Build a Foundation based on your core values, i.e. family, security, challenges, and lifestyle. 

In a world of constant change, building a foundation based on your core values is more important than ever.

“In this era of dramatic change, we’re hit from all sides with lopsided perspectives that urge us to hold nothing sacred, to fight chaos with chaos, to battle a crazy world with total, unfettered craziness. Everybody knows that the transformations facing us—social, political, technological, economic—render obsolete the lessons of the past.”

Jim Collins, Author

Change Is a Choice.

The secret to an innovative life and career is to first recognize that you are in control of your destiny! You are the master of your ship. You are making the decisions, and no one else is in charge of You! Isn’t that refreshing? You are in the driver’s seat. 

Accept a new way of life for you. Accept that change is inevitable. Set new goals. Believe that CHANGE EQUALS OPPORTUNITY.

Change doesn’t have to be a crisis. 

However, some of us may go through change and some of us may see it as a crisis, but I can guarantee you it will be for the betterment of you and your life. 

You Have to Let Go to Change.

As human beings, we have all feared change as negative.  Just like the earth revolves around the sun, just as humans continue to evolve, it is part of life.

Just change.

You may think, "I made a change and got this promotion I asked for, and now I am scared and don’t think I can really do the job." Take a breath. It’s ok, it’s part of life, and everyone goes through what you are going through. Give it time, and allow change to come into your life.

Amazing things will happen when you welcome change.

Change is an opportunity for growth. Everyone I have ever worked with has told me that it might have taken them three, six or nine months, or maybe even years, to overcome the fear, anger or resentment that came with changing. But they pressed on anyway. And whatever the obstacle or adversity they faced while changing, in the end it was the best thing that ever happened to them.

Hope for a better way, which leads to change which leads to excitement and growth. 

Enjoy your new journey!

Rebecca Jane Martin, CDF

Catch up with Rebecca at Dear Jane Inc. www.dearjane.info

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Happy Running!