Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Everything is HAIRY!

     "Just wanted to stop by to say good luck this weekend. Also, wanted to say thanks. I used your
      blog mantra....be great today at the half in New Orleans last Sunday. It really helped me through
      the race. I kept telling myself, "the weather is great, I really have NO reason, NOT "to be Great
      Today." (and I was great in my own slowish way) Thanks!"  - Happy Feet 26.2

Thank you for the kind words Ginny!  Congrats on the great race, and "your welcome".  You have no idea how much that means to me.  Believe it or not, you just helped me through my next race! (P.S. if you don't already, please follow Happy Feet 26.2 ... its a great read that I really enjoy, and you will too!)


Do you have a dog, cat, hamster, or mountain lion?  We live with Jack.  He's a pretty cool 4 year old chocolate lab ... and the apple his "mommy's" eye! (Michael ... who's not his biological mother of course, 'cause she's a human.)  But right now Jack is shedding like a banshee!  He's losing his thick winter coat and there are piles of dog hair on everything we own.  Pillows.  Rugs.  Shirts.  Toothbrushes ... don't ask.

Jack B. Weatherly
Within 5 minutes of running the vacuum, Jack's at it again.  Leaving furry follicle impressions of his brown-butt everywhere he goes.  It's easy to trace his footsteps.  Like he's sayin',
"Jack B. Weatherly in da house!"

Running has left several impressions on me as well.  I'm thinner.  My legs are muscly.  And my lungs have morphed into two big balloons.  But it's not just physical.  For one thing, I'm more self-assured.  Not in a cocky way ... millions of people can out-run me, and it has nothing to do with speed or a clock.  But self-assured in a way that I believe I can do anything I set my mind to.  I'm also so thankful and appreciative of my good health.  Plus, the perseverance and patience running has shown me is priceless.  It's helped me better understand to never give up because I know "after I get over this hill, it gets a little easier".

Ryder & me
But often I wonder what kind of impression I am leaving on those around me.  Not necessarily a legacy ... I have an awesome family that loves me, and they will carry my legacy.  But how did I affect people around me on a daily basis?  Are my finger-prints easy to trace?  Is there a positive reminder that I was here?

I want to be a runner that sets a standard that others can mimic to become stronger, and helps them find true joy in the sport regardless of finishing time?  But more than anything, I want to be an encouragement to others.  As a stranger, do I offer a kind word or smile ... that leaves you thinking, "Man, that guy was nice"?  As a friend, am I someone you can call in the middle of the night?  As a father, am I full of love and forgiveness?  As a husband, am I the closest companion?  And as a leader, am I worthy of joining on the journey?

I hope I'm growing daily in all of these things.  Becoming more encouraging and less critical.  And offering a little hope when someone needs it most.  I've been blessed with so much, and there is no way I can keep it all to myself. 

Thank you to everyone who has stopped by and read my daily ramblings over the past few months.  All of the kind words are very humbling, and uplifting!  Hopefully today, you will leave an impression of your own personal greatness on someone.  Just like Jack leaves everything he touches really hairy, I hope that every life I have the opportunity to touch is changed ... for the better.
... be great today!

21 comments:

  1. You are definitely leaving a legacy, and not just with your family. You are one of the most encouraging people I have "met" in the blog world. I strive to be as encouraging as you, but it is still a little hard as I need to continue to encourage myself. Thank you for all you do and say!!

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  2. I love coming here and reading every day - you always have something great to offer up, and you inspire me. Thanks!

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  3. To echo "Happy Feet 26.2", I to, have begun to use "Be great today" as a mantra! Thanks-you're legacy is growing....

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  4. dog hair on your toothbrush - ick..... :) I think if you maintain the positive outlook, you are bound to influence for the good whether you realize it or not. Now, go be great today!

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  5. Great deep thoughts so early in the morning for me. Thanks for things to think about today :-)

    I totally get the dog hair thing. I have white huskie hair all over my house 365 days a year. Before any guests leave my house, I have to sticky roll their body to get off all the pooch they've accumulated during their visit.

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  6. Good post! Very inspirational! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Definitely things to strive for and so far, you've been successful! Keep up the great work.

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  8. Your way of verbalizing this stuff is a gift...to all of us. Thank you for that!
    If you had froofy dogs like mine who need haircuts everytime I turn around you'd at least avoid the shedding issue. Oh but chocolate labs are so yummy!

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  9. I think you are doing a great job at least in the blog world. I look forward to your posts and "Be great today" is a mantra I strive for everyday.

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  10. Wow, just wow, I am really intrigued with your journal, I think this is awesome!!!

    What race and state have you circled to be #50? It has to be a special one

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  11. You are definitely being great today!

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  12. Your legacy - well I'm a runner, triathlete and blogger...um mostly because of you :)

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  13. Great post! Your slogan of Be Great Today really is awesome. I really like your positive message. I don't have a race for a while, but I might think of your message as I'm approaching the finish line and gasping for air!

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  14. beautiful post! i want to pet you hairy dog! my german shepher, rhett butler, also sheds like a banshee too(and i thought i was the only one to use this phrase!) not sure why i bother to vacuum some days.

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  15. Great post. I do feel I leave an impression. I have a huge number of girls in my class signing up for Girls on the Run. I love it! They ask me for running tips. I love that they see running as a fun thing one wants to do!
    I also like your mantra. May use it this weekend!

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  16. Ohhh. I just saw what your wife put!!!

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  17. Dude you and Michael have touched me and changed my life....I really enjoy the 'Be Great Today' motto....I actually love it.

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  18. You are truly one of the most amazing men I know...and I'm NOT just saying that because you're my bro...I'm saying it because you continue to amaze me with ALL you are..I love you..Good luck this weekend will be thinking about you lots!

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  19. Thank you so much for the kind words everyone. You have no idea how much they mean to me!

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  20. thank you, keep inspiring, and on Sunday - Be Great that day too!

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  21. I have a dog who LOVES to run. He is about 20lbs and can run a 5K without stopping.

    Kevin
    HalfTRIing.blogspot.com

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