20 September 2011

250th Blog Post




This is my 250th blog post and I'm sitting here amazed. When I started this blog to attempt to stay aware  on my journey as an elder, I really didn't think of how many posts I would write or for how long or if I could continue to write. I just wrote a post and another day I wrote a post and another day I wrote a post and so on until today when I write my 250th. In the meanwhile, I've made new and wonderful friends in the blogosphere, been inspired by them, and shared in significant ways with them. Writing has become deeply important to me. My world has expanded in ways I couldn't have predicted.

Running is similar. I started to run in my 60's. After the initial process of getting used to it, working through the kinks, hating it and wanting to stop and eventually, loving it, and not being able to think of my life without it. Now, I run three times a week, every week. At some point my Nike + iPod announced that I had run 250 miles since I started to wear their chip that keeps track of my runs. Then, a while ago, it announced that I had run 500 kilometers and I was surprised. One step at a time. In the meanwhile, I've run races for good causes that matter to me, met fascinating people who are vital and healthy and I have a way to stay fit. Running has become deeply important to me.  My life has been enriched in ways I couldn't have predicted.

Maybe a lot of life IS about showing up. Doing what we say we will do. Doing what we know to be good for us or important or what we love. Until we find that we're writing our 250th blog post or running our 500th kilometer or, in some other significant way, celebrating a milestone that's important to us. And feeling good about ourselves. More in love with our lives. With richer, fuller lives than we could have imagined.




13 comments:

  1. Amen. Well said.

    I've been riding a month - every day. At first, I'd come back from a ride and my legs would feel like paste. Now I ride and I enjoy 'the burn' - but it's taking me longer and longer to find it. Which is good - it means I'm getting stronger and I have more endurance. At age 66, things like that start to become important.

    I'm glad running has become so much a part of your life. I understand how that happens - how it feels - and I'm glad you found it.

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  2. And in addition to that you raise beautiful coleus!!

    Are you telling me it is not to late for me to start running? very interesting....maybe I should start out walking/ha

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  3. Lou, Nice going! I'm glad I found this too.

    Nanny, Those coleus thrive in this apartment. It started with three little plants purchased two years ago. I keep cutting them back and putting the cuttings in water to root (first photo on the left) and then repotting them. I have them all through the house and have given them as gifts to all my neighbors. I think they like being sung to as well by our iPod. I tell them daily how lovely they are. Those colors...

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  4. I think you're right about showing up and doing what is right and good for us. It can be more difficult than just sitting around, of course, but with any luck there are great rewards. I'm glad you decided to blog. You have a lot to show and tell us.

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  5. You seem to be living your life as an "elder" in a way most wish to live their lives in their youth. You make it happen and that's a lesson for all.

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  6. What a cool thing! Just showing up, doing what you do and before you know it, 250 posts are behind you! Here's hoping that twice or three times that many grace this spot before you tire of it. I love your stuff.

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  7. Congratulations on the posts AND the kilometers! You're an inspiration. Just showing up really is the hard part. (I speak of blogging as I'm definitely not a runner by any stretch of the imagination!) Looking forward to your next 250 posts...and hearing about your next 500 kilometers!

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  8. Congratulations on your 250 blog posts and running 500 + kilometers!

    I am always surprised that I keep coming up with things to write about on my blog -- it has been 4 years since I began! I agree it has been so nice to meet so many people around the world through blogging -- like yourself!

    I don't run any longer as I tore all the meniscus-es in my knees, but I do power walk about 3 miles every day and love it!

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  9. Nancy, The rewards are already great.

    CG, Thanks, it's only in retrospect that I see that. It's just that I have a lot to retrospect on!


    DJan, And I yours- the inspiration goes both ways.

    Lisa, Me too!

    Pat, My husband is a New Yorker and we lived there one year, so I enjoy my time on your blog, too.

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  10. One word, one step, one coleus leaf at a time, and together, they are such a beautiful bouquet. Congratulations. I love being a witness to your life.

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  11. Ruth, What a lovely thing to say. Grazie.

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  12. Yep. Just showing up, whatever that looks like! I've been doing core strengthening exercises for over a month and now I don't dread them.

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  13. Linda, Core strength is so important as we age. Good for you.

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