tuff_as_muz

I recently found a bunch of old journals from high school through to mid-college, and I have to say, I'm a little embarrassed.  I look at high school students today and whisper under my breath, "life really isn't that bad in high school," and I saw things I wrote about being lost, not knowing why, and not really knowing myself, let alone too much about the world around me. So to any of you kids who are complaining, fear not: life does get better, despite the fact that most adults complain about having to go to work, and personal lives still spawn heartache, pain, and suffering. As long as you can remind yourself of the little things that have made you happy as a kid, and translate them somehow into your adult life, the regression is progression.

Remember how you used to run around aimlessly in the park until you were so tired you didn't think you could run anymore ... and then you ran home? Those days were FUN.

Remember when you used to ride bikes in the local church parking lot until it was almost too dark to see? Those outings were fun too.

Do you remember hide and seek? We used to play in and around our neighbors' houses when I was little and growing up in a nice, safe community (kids, please don't do that now) .Let's make an adult league and remind ourselves how fun that was.

At my next birthday, I want a pinata, because I remember how fun it was to hear the snap of the bat against the cardboard, and knowing that I actually had enough hand-eye coordination to do that.

All these things we did without television, without computers, without cell phones.  And yet we lose track of how to be happy most days and opt to complain instead about something that doesn't feel right.

Regression is progression.

Tomorrow morning, I'm embarking upon my 5th journey down the path of the Nike Women's half marathon in San Francisco.  In a pink tutu.  As  my amazing boyfriend, Ryan Anderson.  He busted his feet, knees, and hips walking 150+ miles to earn a spot specifically for me.  So it is with a heart full of love and pride for him that I say these three words:

I. CANNOT. WAIT.

If you've ever had the chance to run this race, you know why I'm so excited: the course is breathtaking, the race sponsors are fantastic, and the best part is, you're running with thousands of women who are cheering each other on in the most genuinely encouraging way.  With smiles on our faces and a little extra oomph in each step, we will take on the streets of SF, taking in the breathtaking views of the Golden Gate, streaming tears of joy turning around the corner to see the ocean along the Great Highway, rejoicing in setting our sites on the finish line where women from all over the globe reconnect to celebrate their amazing accomplishment.

And if you've never had a chance to run this race, you should allow yourself the opportunity at least once.  You'll see more than 20,000 smiling ladies waiting to give you a few words of encouragement when you start feeling your legs turn to lead, and you'll find the purple TNT mentors motivating not only their running groups, but anyone else who needs a gentle nudge.

I promise you'll never forget the experience, and you'll look back with pride welling up in your eyes when you realize what you've achieved.

You ran to be.

It occurred to me that I have quite a few friends who are dissatisfied with the hand of cards life has dealt them.  While I completely understand that there are certain things in life over which we have no control, we do have the capacity to control our own happiness.  There is a serious flaw in the belief that the situation you're born into dictates your satisfaction over the course of your life.  Change is entirely possible, no matter who you are, where you live, what you want.

If the idea of change terrifies you, then you clearly have another obstacle standing in the way of you and happiness.  Change can be amazing.  Altering one little detail in your daily routine can open your eyes to an entirely different way of life.  There are days I get down from stress, or from how long my commute is, or just from general fatigue, and I have to physically pull myself out of those valleys during the course of a given day.  It might entail dragging my feet down a different side street on the walk into work, or noticing a new set of flowers growing outside my window, or just paying attention to the crazy squirrels that dash around chasing after each other on a daily basis.

Paying close attention to details isn't something new to me (just ask my sister), but diverting my attention to new details really does help change my attitude and gets me out of the treacherous cycle that routine can often dump us into.

I've decided that, due to the fact that these emails are seemingly unavoidable, I'd let you all be entertained by my new "Spotlight" series on spam emails.  Once a month, I will post a random message from a long-lost pseudo-cousin, "friend," royal relative, strictly to allow everyone to partake in the fun I have in glossing over these ridiculous emails.  Without further ado, here's the latest from my buddy Aljandro, the recovering druggie, who is now asking me for money.

Greetings and peace of the Lord unto your household. As you read this, I
don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone will die
someday. This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we
have not met or seen before. Please accept my apologies in bringing this
message to you. I have to say that I have no intention of causing you any
pain or harm.

I was into hard drug business for 19 years my wife died in the year2006
and we were married for ten years without a child. My wife died after a
brief illness that lasted for only four days. Though I am very rich, I was
never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focus on my
business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this
as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make
all the money in the world.

I have been diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia which was discovered
very late, due to my laxity in Caring for my health. It has defiled all
forms of medicine, and right now I have only about a few months to live,
according to medical experts however due to my health deterioration have
since lost my ability to do anything on my own as presently I’m in a
hospital in Spain where I have been undergoing treatments.

I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would
live my life a different way from how I have lived it. I have willed and
given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family
members and as well as a few close friends. I want God to be merciful to
me and accept my soul and so, I have decided to give alms to charity
organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on
earth.

So far, Like I said before, due to health deterioration, it became
necessary for me to seek your assistance. I got your email through a
reliable internet source and i hope to confide my trust in you to help me
carry out this obligation that i vowed to God as my last help for
humanity. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts
and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in
Libya and Pakistan; they refused and kept the money to themselves.

The last of my money which no one knows of is the fixed cash deposit of
Twenty Four millions Five Hundred Thousand United State
Dollar($24,500,000,00) which is that I have with a foreign Bank. I will
want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity
organizations know to you. I am in Spain, for medical treatment, If you
are willing to help me, Please reply with this. Email address
k67541@live.com for further details.

Yours Faithfully,
Aljandro