Don't believe me.

If I told you that you could live the life of your dreams, would you believe me?
If I told you that you couldn't, would you try to prove me wrong?

As I sit here with a list about a mile long of things to do, anxiety mounting by the minute, for some reason I have a sense of peace in my heart. Peace because I'm excited to be embarking on a new adventure that fills my soul with joy and because I'm giving myself permission to accept that I can't possibly do more than I can do.

Has it taken me a long time to get here? Yes. Do I think this next step in my life is going to be easy? Not at all. Do I feel like it's going to be worth it? Absolutely. How long has it taken me to believe in me? My whole life. There, I said it...MY WHOLE LIFE.

Though I have achieved a lot of things, a lot of really great things, I have never believed that I was worthy. I have never truly given myself credit for any of it. Seriously.

Today I choose to believe that I'm worthy. Today I choose to believe in myself. I choose the challenge it will be to say it to myself every day because I know that's what it is going to take for me to succeed.

November 15th, 2012 is going to be my last day working for Stemilt Growers, a company and people I have grown to love like family! I have truly loved every minute I have been able to work at Stemilt, which makes it painfully difficult to leave! But it's because of them that I'm leaving. Being surrounded by smart, passionate and entrepreneurial people has been an amazing experience and ultimately inspired me to be one myself.

Not too long ago, my Mom was searching for a new path and I asked her what she would do if she wasn't afraid. Typical Mom fashion, she responded "what would you do?" Of course I knew exactly, I recited what the script I've played in my head EVERY day for years! I am happy to report, that she IS doing exactly what she was afraid to do, and so am I :)

It will take work, faith and some tough times, but in the end I would not have it any other way.

What would it take for you to believe me that you can live the life of your dreams too? See, that's the problem. It's not me that can convince you, it's you.

If I can believe in me, trust that you can believe in you too. Start today.

Don't believe me, believe YOU!

Salty Air

There is undoubtedly something magical about breathing in salty air. Breathing in the air, surrounded by sand and ocean waves nourishes my soul.

Running has a similar affect on me, so you can imagine how I feel when I get to run along a beach!!
While in San Diego a couple weeks ago, I did just that. As much as possible.
Since I was exhausted going into the trip, I managed to restrain myself from going over board with the beach running. Barely.
We were able to have a little down time, hanging out with one of Ryan's long-time friends, a little shopping, a little eating, a little running, a little ocean swim...

The main reason for the trip was the USA Triathlon Level 1 Coaching Certification Clinic, also a remarkable experience in it's own right. The roster of presenters was second to none, complete with one of my all-time favorite people in the whole world, Bobby McGee. Bobby has been a huge help in putting together my mental "game". Though it was mere weeks prior to IM 70.3 Worlds, I felt like I had made massive improvements and was armed with a "bullet proof" mental race strategy. Unfortunately that plan was over shadowed by a small (by small, I mean BIG) mechanical mis-hap. The presenters were rounded out with Shelly O'Brien and Bob Seebohar, which are equally impressive.
After 2 days straight, I was a bit overwhelmed with everything I had learned. Overwhelmed and exhilarated. All I wanted to do was learn more. It was 2 days of full triathlon immersion, and I'm addicted.

...if only I could figure out how to transplant to the beach full-time...

Until then, I need to at least figure out how to visit more often!! 

HALLOWEEN HANGOVER (not the drinking kind)

No, I don't mean that I'm actually hung-over.

It's funny when random things smack you in the face with "ah-ha moments"!

This Halloween struck my thought life hard, and completely unexpectedly. Halloween isn't exactly a holiday that evokes emotion, but for some reason, this year it really got me thinking.
Costumes. It's fun that for one day a year, we can dress up and be ANYthing we want to be. Why can't we do that the rest of the year too? I say WE CAN and we should! I don't mean dressing up in silly costumes all the time, but if there is something that you truly want to be, and aren't being just that...then you are essentially hiding behind a disguise every day. Trust me, I get it. I’ve fought that fight, it’s truly and absolutely exhausting!

And then there is Day of the Dead, and the symbolic La Calavera Catrina, reminding us that no matter wealth or poverty, we are all equal in our mortality. Embracing our self expression is how we show our appreciation to be alive and gratitude for all the gifts we've been given. Fulfilling your passion is not a selfish act, it's an expression of gratitude for life everything that makes you uniquely you. We are all created to be absolutely different. On purpose.

I know, all that from Halloween!

Just food for thought. Man, I think I need a little chocolate...