Off to Alcatraz...

As I'm writing this I have one brave soul (actually two - one is just for moral support!) traveling to San Francisco. One of them will

hit the cold San Francisco bay water on Sunday morning with about 2,000 other brave souls. Even during my days of participation (mostly I coach now), I always had time for reflection as to why some human beings choose to push their physical limits. Call me crazy but all I can comprise regarding this question is that there is a since of freedom that comes from participating in such events. Truth is, it's a bit dangerous. But the other truth is that for many people these types of things make them feel more free and more alive than most anything else they do in life. I know...I've been there, and upon reflection of this post, I can tell you my heart, and I think even my body, desires to be back there again some day. But that's not the catch of this comment, the idea here is to challenge anyone who reads these humble words to realize life is what you make of it. If you want freedom and excitement then you have to find it. If you want something that challenges you, then you have to pursue it. In my best guess this kind of stuff doesn't come looking for us. We go looking for it. For you, it might not be triathlon. In truth it doesn't have to be. It just needs to be something, anything, that makes you feel alive. Whether your escaping from Alcatraz or painting your own Picasso, if it gives you a since of freedom and since of being more than just something that consumes oxygen then my guess is you've found your personal freedom. You've found what makes you feel alive. As one of my favorite quotes goes..."we all die, but not all of us really live."                    

Patience Pride & Pain

Over the years I have run a lot of races, literally and metaphorically. In both instances you can feel like you're beat around and kicked around. I think it takes a balance of patience, pride, and pain to move through gracefully. Now just because I'm writing about this, don't draw any conclusions that I'm about to give some secret insight on how to get it done. I'm not. What I am going to tell you is whether you're running a race, tackling a triathlon, or facing life head on, God gives you the grace, and through that grace you can find patience, set aside your pride, and endure your pain.

I remember my first marathon. Fourteen years ago I stepped to the starting line and began a journey of self-discovery that continues today. In those 26 miles I was prideful, and had to swallow my pride. I became angry with pain, and then realize pain was part of the process. I lost my patience and gained it back again. But if there's any coaching advice in this entry it's this. Stick it out. Don't give up. Push through. What lies right before you could be the best path you've ever been on. It's gonna get hard, you're gonna get frustrated, and you might even decide that quitting is a better option. But remember this...having patience, swallowing your pride, and enduring some pain is the mark of a true veteran. As a runner, a triathlete, or in life.

So don't ask me, because I still become prideful, I still lose my patience, and I still endure pain. All I know however is if I keep training and don't quit, someday it all comes together and I run that perfect race. On that day we realize that the effort, the cost, the gain, and the loss was worth it. You'll cross the finish line..slowly turn, look back and smile. Because your heart will say "See, it was worth it."        

Oh Christmas Tree

So you might be wondering why I'm blogging about Christmas after the Christmas season is well behind us. Well the truth is my holiday season is just wrapping up. I had extensive travel over this holiday season, visiting family and friends, and recently returned home. But through all of it, one thing is prominent in my afterthoughts of the 2013 holiday season and that is the Christmas tree.

You see, I am a single dad and spend limited time with my kids. Prior to Christmas, they were visiting and I had the notion that we could put up the tree while they were with me. It was a great moment for them and a glorious one for me. I watched as my eight year old and four year old directed the Christmas tree decoration ceremonies. Now as some of you parents know, and some who don't, these moments create an indelible impression within our memory. Watching my four year old little girl stretch her arm as high as it would reach to place a glimmering ornament on daddy's little imperfect tree, while her slightly older brother acted as the foreman elf, directing the ceremony with exact perfection. I stepped back and watched, and in that moment everything seemed perfect and right. In just a short time the tree was up and decorated quite nicely.

Just this past Wednesday I returned home from our holiday travels. I returned to an empty house. All the presents were gone and it was time to adjust to the New Year. Yet as I turned the corner the Christmas tree remained. So that evening, I turned on some music, made some tea, and turned on the Christmas tree lights one last time. I stood frozen in time, gazing at the tree, and as I slowly starting removing all of the ornaments, I felt a happy sadness (sure...it's an oxymoron..but I like it.) gently settle in. Happy that with the removal of each ornament it brought back wonderful loving memories of all the sweet moments of the holiday season. Sad because dismantling the little tree made me realize that all too often we lose those wonderful little moments a midst the craziness and chaos of our busy lives. In a single solitary moment my Christmas tree made me remember the meaning of life. So gently, and softly I spoke..."Oh Christmas tree...thank you."