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I hate running laps. I hated it in high school. I hated
it in college. I hated it in the Air Force.
Running laps is one of those things that sounds easy, feels
easy when you start and then turns into pure torture when
the muscles in your legs begin to burn. It didn't take
long before experience proved it wasn't easy, and the
thought of running laps was enough to send me running for a
doctor's excuse. But the doctor kept telling me that there
was no reason why I couldn't run laps around that
dang-blasted track.
"Just keep putting one foot in front the other," he said.
Such simple advice, but it was never easy to do. I would
start off feeling fine, feeling like I could run forever at
my nice, comfortable pace. But then I'd notice that others
were running faster than I was. Sometimes I would pick up
my pace and try to keep up with them. It didn't take long
before a stitch in my out-of-shape side left me hunched
over, hands braced on knees, gasping for relief.
Eventually I learned that I needed to run at my own pace.
But even so, after a lap or two I was exhausted. My legs
hurt, my lungs hurt, my shoulders ached, and I didn't think
I could run another step.
"Stay focused," a voice from behind would call. "Keep
going. You can do it!"
"No, I can't!" I'd gasp at the person lapping me for the
second time.
"Oh, yes you can!" he'd call over his shoulder.
And so I kept dragging one foot in front of the other. I
wasn't a graceful runner when feeling fresh. Exhaustion
and knock-knees kept me swerving in and out of lanes like a
drunk-driver on Saturday night. But eventually I finished
my required laps. I wasn't the fastest, and sometimes I
was the last one on the track. But I didn't quit. As much
as I wanted to, I didn't.
Beth's opinion of running is similar to my own. I want to
wrap my arms around her and weep with understanding, but
instead I give her the advice I learned from people who do
love to run. "Stay focused. Keep going. You can do it!
Oh, yes you can!"
The same can be true for any goals you set for yourself in
life. "Stay focused. Keep going. You can do it! Oh, yes
you can!"
This past month has been a marathon of achievement for me.
I completed three major goals: I earned my Masters Degree
in Education, published my book GLOW: Renew Your Spirit &
Release Your Inner Beauty, and finished the Advanced
Toastmaster-Gold level of speaking skill.
As friends and family members became aware of these goals
that were nearing completion-and I admit I wasn't shy about
talking about them-I often heard the same responses:
"I could never do all that!" "I couldn't fit all that into
my schedule," "I just can't seem to get started!"
My response is the same: "Oh, yes you can!"
Are there things you want to accomplish? It may not be
higher education, writing a book, or developing your public
speaking skills, but you probably have goals you'd like to
accomplish. Are you making them happen or are you making
excuses?
When I wanted to return to school, I knew it would take a
lot of my time and focus. Rather than decide I didn't have
time, I took a long hard look at how I was spending my
time. I discovered I watched far too much television. I
realized I spend many hours reading novels, and writing
inspirational stories. So I gave up many hours of TV each
week, I gave up recreational reading for textbook reading,
and I reduced my inspirational writing and increased my
academic writing. By making these changes, I found the
time I needed to return to school.
When I wanted to publish my book, I knew it would take
time, focus, and money. School still demanded a lot of
time, and I no longer watched much television, so I had to
find more time. I started using my work breaks to edit my
book. My husband did more of the household chores. My
children gave up more of their computer time so I could
have more. I carried my manuscript with me so if I had a
few minutes to wait before an appointment or when picking
up one of my kids, I used those precious minutes to work on
my book. I asked friends and family members to believe in
me and in my dream and pre-purchase copies of the book so I
could have it printed.
You get the idea, don't you? You can free up the time,
find the resources, and take the steps necessary to achieve
your goals.
When you look at the people you think are doing amazing
things, you can be sure that they are not just lucky. They
are not extraordinary people. They are just people who are
making choices that will help them reach those goals. They
are people who keep their minds focused on the finish line
and their bodies moving forward-one step at a time.
~~~
Copyright 2003 by Donna Doyon. All rights reserved. You are free to
use material from the A Swan's Song eZine in whole or in part,
as long as you include complete attribution, including live web
site link. Please also notify me where the material will appear.
The attribution should read:
"By Donna Doyon. Please visit Donna's
web site at http://www.donnadoyon.com for additional stories and articles on improving relationships with yourself, your family and the other people in your world."
"Carefree Woman" artwork by Ann Boyajian
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