Just one step...

How do you accomplish your goals? What steps have you taken to reach your goals? Do you even know what your goals are? Many people have goals, or ideas of goals they would like to have. Most are too afraid to write them down. People figure if they write them down, and then don't achieve them, they will be all disappointed in themselves. But perhaps it is better to look at from the other side. If you don't write your goals down, how will you remember what your goals are. We only get one shot at this lifetime, and I would hate to think that I missed out on something because I forgot it was something I really wanted to do.

And seriously, life is very busy. We all have way more on our plates than we really have time for, and there are many things that get pushed to the side and forgotten about. Near the top of that list, of course, is our dreams and goals. We get caught up in the here and now, and forget to think about the things we always wanted to do or try. Goals don't have to be huge. Maybe there is a style of food you've always wanted to try but never have. What is stopping you from making that reservation and trying it out on Friday night? Or maybe you always wanted to learn how to tap dance. Take a lesson, seriously, then you will know if it's something you want to do more of. But maybe your dream is to scuba dive off in the Cayman Islands. It seems like a big huge goal, but is it really? Maybe this summer you can take a scuba course. Just search for scuba lessons in your city. And, then sign up for the course. In the fall or winter, maybe you'll head to an all inclusive, or go on a cruise. Look into the excursions, or plan one on your own. Suddenly, it's next year, and you really did accomplish one of your big goals.

So, take one step towards a goal you have. Write down that goal. Make it visible in your home. Put it on your blog. Make it part of your facebook profile. Tell a supportive friend or family member. Suddenly, your goal has life. It's one step, but it will make you excited to take the next step. And, each small step leads you one step closer to actually reaching your goal. Don't be afraid. You can do it. You should do it. You WILL do it!!

Life's List...

Lately, I have been focusing on my list of things to accomplish in this lifetime. It is a fairly lengthy list. I began the list about fifteen years ago, and have added to it over the years.

Travel is a big part of it. There are many different places that I want to see and things I want to do in some of these places. I have accomplished some of them, like walking across the Golden Gate Bridge and going to the Love Parade in Berlin, but there are many more. I want to visit Norway, Sweden and Finland. I want to go to Machu Picu. I want to take the Orient Express. I want to go to Egypt and see the pyramids. I want to scuba dive in the ocean somewhere. I want to climb to the top of some mountains (I've done a few smaller ones, but need a bigger challenge sometime).

And then, aside from places, there are things. Like learning to play the piano better. I want to work my way through some of the piano grades. I want to learn how to knit a sweater. I want to speak another language well, and more than just French (which I was okay at, at one point in my life). Russian, German, Spanish, etc. I want to take another photography course. I want to earn a fine arts degree. I want to live in the Caribbean.

As for fitness, I have run a 3km, 5km, 10km, half marathon, marathon, and even the marathon and a half challenge. But, next up it's triathlon. And then I'll want to do the Escape from Alcatraz one, and of course at some point an Ironman. And I'd like to try paragliding. I saw this once about twenty years ago, and thought it looked so neat, but still have yet to try it. The goals never end.

And this is just scratching the surface. It's fun working on this list. It is nice to see that I have done some of my goals, and it's fun taking steps towards the next ones. It's been neat hearing other people's goals as well. And let's face it, I might not accomplish everything I set out to, but if I even do half the stuff on my list, then my life is kind of neat, and my sons will see that they can do whatever they set their minds too (and will likely be coming up with their own lists in the meantime).

So, feel free to share some of your dreams or goals. I'd love to hear them and be inspired by you.

Finding a trainer...

In so many areas of life, when we are not sure how to do something, we will find an expert to help us out. Not sure how to fix the washing machine? Call a repairman. Don't know how to decorate a cake? Buy a book. Want to learn to play the piano? Take piano lessons. So, when the time comes to embark on a new exercise program, it would make sense to hire a personal trainer. I have goals and I want someone who can set me up on the road to achieve them.

I am excited because I think I found the perfect company to go through. I once did a class with the owner of the company and it was tough. I mean, we're talking Jillian on the Biggest Loser tough. So, when my husband suggested that if I wanted a trainer, to try her company, it made perfect sense. I've been learning about it through email and just the emails have got me excited. Just the idea of having a trainer has me pumped and ready to hit the track. So much so, that I am even dreaming about exercise now. How scary is that.

So, although I know a lot about running, and a lot about exercise, I know there are still many things that I could learn. And, because of that, I will let an expert set me up on the road to success. That way, in six months or a year, when I'm looking back on this post, with a faster running time in my arsenal, and my first set of goals achieved, I will know that I made the right decision.

The snow falls down... and the hug...

Sometimes life just gets busy. And, when life is busy, it can be hard to notice the little things. We get so wrapped up in getting things done and being behind on laundry and cleaning up, and we look around, and see toys, clothes, whatever, all over the floor. It seems like we'll never catch up on the cleaning and projects that we have built into our minds that need to be done. And because of all this busyness, we fail to notice the beautiful parts of life around us.

Take for example the snow. Today I am looking outside and the snow is falling. It is really beautiful, and I'm trying to appreciate it. It's easier to do that today, because I don't have to go anywhere, so I don't have to drive or be on icy roads. But even in my life, it feels like there is so much to do that often I don't take time to enjoy these moments.

Another example was this morning. My 2 and a half year old son was upset because I wouldn't let him bring a bunch of toys up from the basement. It was time to eat and I was focused on getting breakfast into him. He's a skinny little kid and needs every calorie I can get into him. I made his breakfast, but he didn't want it, and proceeded to cry. I was being stern with him, and then he said "give me a hug mommy" between his sobs while clutched to my leg. I looked down at this little boy and immediately stopped being the mean mom trying to get him to come sit for breakfast, picked him up and gave him a big hug. It was great. Of course he continued to cry, so I told him he didn't need to eat if he didn't want to. Then he asked for another hug. This time, I knelt down and gave him a hug at his level, and wiped away his tears. It made him feel better, and truth be told, it made me feel better too.

I had a rough night last night with the baby being up for what felt like most of the night, and I just wanted to get the day going and start in on the mammoth list of things that never seem to get accomplished. But, my son reminded me that sometimes you need to just stop and have a hug. That sometimes it doesn't matter how much needs to get done, nothing can be more important than a simple hug. So, thank you Sebastian, for reminding me. Thank you for giving a hug in return. I am so lucky to have you!! And now, back to my regular scheduled program... with maybe a couple more hugs thrown in, because really, that is what it is all about anyways!!

You must see this movie!!

Today I had the pleasure of seeing "slumdog millionaire" and I absolutely loved it. It was the ultimate feel good movie. You will leave the theatre feeling good. It was fabulous. So, I say, take the time and go to it. It will be worth the money you pay to see it, and it will be worth the time you spend to watch it. The soundtrack is fantastic as well. My personal favourite song is "Paper Planes" by M.I.A. but really, all the songs are fantastic. Everything about the movie is fantastic and I truly hope it wins some of the many Oscars it was nominated for. So, if you see no other movie this year, take the time and see this one, you'll thank me for it!!

Melissa's Road Race registration...

So, I am hoping to once again do the road race in Banff. I must remember to sign up online. It fills up really fast. Probably, because it is one of the most beautiful runs out there. So, I will mark my calendar for February 25th, and make sure I sign up. Well, I might mark my calendar for the 24th, just so I don't forget to sign up on the 25th. It's a great race, and it offers a choice of 10km or 22km. Only once have I done the 22km, it was my first half marathon and a huge learning opportunity for me. I was totally ill prepared for the energy I would consume and it took me forever to finish. Someday I may do the 22km again, but I didn't find it nearly as scenic as the 10km. Of course the 10km has a huge hill and it's rather humorous watching some of the people reach their limit on the hill, not realizing just what was involved, but the view at the top, is so totally worth the climb. So again, this year I will hope to sign up for the 10km version of the run. And we'll go out in September, and spend the morning enjoying the mountains, getting in a run, and having the world's greatest cheerleaders at the finish to cheer me on (thanks Jeremy, Sebastian, and Sullivan!!)

Want to learn more? Check out the website by clicking here!! And if you are running it, let me know because hopefully I will see you there!!

Being inspired...

There is inspiration all around me. I love it. In the form of television shows, in the form of people I know, in the form of books. It's easy to find some inspiration to get motivated on something. 

My next big plan is to start running (gee, there is a shock, I haven't mentioned that before!!). It's now less than three weeks until I can run again (provided the doctor says it's fine, which I am sure she will!!). So, gearing up to that, I have begun to do a little bit of walking, and it is just fantastic!! It's so nice to be moving and sets an excellent example for my boys. I plan to walk again today... we'll see. My mom is making it even more possible. She gave me a very cool gift, in the form of a new seat for our stroller. I had a one kid stroller, but the beauty of it, is, with an extra seat, it becomes a two kid stroller, so now, I can put both boys in it and head out the door. I think maybe we'll go to the park, or maybe to the gym so that Sebastian can run around a bit. All depends on if they have the open time for toddlers. 

I hope to find myself a trainer in the next couple weeks. My husband gave me personal trainer money for Christmas, and I intend to put it to good use, with someone who will push me like Jillian on the biggest loser. I want someone to help me put together some goals and a plan to achieve them. For now I need to start researching which races I want to train for. 

I need to get inspired to eat better. I'm not sure where that motivation will come from. I will still enjoy little treats, in moderation of course, but need to find some good meals that are quick and easy to make and full of veggies and other good stuff. I need to remind myself that the higher quality fuel (food) I consume, the better I will be running as a person. And, the easier the exercise becomes since I have the most efficient fuel going in. And really, I should clean out my cupboards and get rid of some of the less efficient stuff...