Breakdown of Today's Odyssey

Today was a full day of adventures!  That is why I'm writing at 10pm.  Greg suggested that on weekends(or when my journey's have kept me away from morning blogging), I could do a breakdown of my daily escapades. Well here it goes!

7am:  Run 10.5 miles at Wrightsville Beach with my Y Dub Tri buddies.

9am:  Limp into Target for Baby Shower goodies for my dear friend, Frankie.

10am:  Shower.  Cook delicious breakfast for Hubby and I.  Have fantastic conversation with one of my best friends.

11:30am:  Begin my excursion for my hometown...visions of Fergie Burgers, good hugs and lots of laughter danced in my head for the hour and a half trek.

1pm:  Mission one complete.  Surprised brother, dad, and nephew.  Received some of the best hugs(I was only getting started).  Ate Fergie Burger.  Discover that my Dad is now out of the Dark Ages and has a smart phone!!!!!

2pm:  Arrive at next destination, Frankie's Baby Shower.  Receive more phenomenal hugs.  Laughed A LOT for three hours.  Mission two complete.

5pm:  Take delightful detour to experience Frankie's new home.  Made a work appointment for tomorrow.

6pm: Get back on my path to more hugs(same group from first set of hugs with the addition of my sister-in-law), and some reminicsing.

8:30pm:  On my return vogage home.

10pm:  Late dinner and writing to you.

20 hugs full of love, 15 hours of non-stop adventure, 10 miles of running,  5 marvelous surprises, 1 helluva day!   Ahhhhh....fergitude

Now, I plan to fall asleep in the next two seconds.  I'll see you tomorrow!

Singing in the Rain

"The distinguishing mark of a true adventure is that it is often no fun at all while they are happening" - Kim Robinson

A friend who just happens to be an adventure racer sent this quote to me recently. She said that it described her last adventure race experience to a tee. Just a few of their obstacles were inclement weather(one team member had signs of hypothermia), equipment malfunction(bicycle chain broke, twice), and getting lost in the middle of nowhere. Despite all of this, they are ready to do it again...two weeks later(maybe not the member who got hypothermia). If you want to know more about "adventure racing" check out this website(Greg and I are considering doing this one with our adventure racing friends).

As I was searching for some type of image to illustrate this morning's theme, I came across a blog post that hit home with today's thoughts. This blogger was posting the "The 9 Attitudes of Highly Creative People". The two attitudes that fit perfectly in with this post are below. For those of you who are reading this that do not consider yourself creative, scratch that thought. I strongly feel we all have our own creativity, but that subject will have to wait until another post.

2. Seeing Problems as Interesting and Acceptable: One of the problems of the Western mindset is that we often see problems or obstacles in life as unacceptable parts of life. We avoid pain or suppress it when it comes and in doing so don’t often see and feel symptoms that are there to tell us something important. Creative people see problems as a natural and normal part of life – in fact they often have a fascination with problems and are drawn to them.

3. Confronting Challenge: Many of the most creative ideas through out history have come from people facing a challenge or crisis and rather than running from it asking ‘how can I overcome this’?

My blogs up until this point have been very optimistic...well...they're probably going to stay that way. They've also been about the the happiness, the pleasure, the excitement of an adventure...your/my life. The truth is you can't have an adventure with out some obstacles, some challenges, and points to which you question yourself. There is no one, fictional or in reality who does not experience defeat, hurt, pain, anger, confusion, grief, lack of confidence, discouragement and setbacks. During these parts of our journey it is hard to see out, to remember the joys of our odyssey, and that they will pass. It will be easy for me to write about how they will pass right now, because I am not in the throes of adversity at this moment. It will be interesting the day I sit down to write to you when I am in the middle of a setback.

It is uncanny how much this sentence from the blogger's post above fits in with my blog's theme and more specifically the last post about being present. "We avoid pain or suppress it when it comes and in doing so don’t often see and feel symptoms that are there to tell us something important." Even when it hurts it is important to be present. Why? It's part of our adventure, it's what will take us to our next path. More than likely, you will come out of it better than you were before. There's the theory that these challenges define us, they make us who we are...they are an essential piece to what makes you the magnificent person that you are. I believe that. In a physical sense, I do not become faster(in my races) without pushing myself to discomfort, pain, and self-doubt. It's unpleasant when I'm there, but that doesn't last long.

My Dad is and has been a major force in my life. I remember from an early age our discussions about life on our front porch swing during some fantastic thunderstorms(that was our tradition). He said "Nicky, life is all about the ups and downs. Just know that when your up, you'll be coming down again. When your down, you'll be coming up again.". This piece of wisdom has helped me throughout my life. You will not always be high, on top of the world, happy...and you will not always be low, in the dumps, sad. As all things...it will be a balance of both. Both are very important to reading the map of our life.

A friend of mine who in Kindergarten helped me through one of my first obstacles in school commented on my last post. He spoke to being present even in the "downer" moments. I could not resist incorporating his analogy of his daughter to the post about being present.

"An example of moment-to-moment living is my toddler's way of life. She's right there in each moment. Crying when she falls. Laughing when she feels good. Singing. Playing. Nothing else matters.

The time is now."

Present

I'm being present.

Sounds easier than it really is. What I mean by that sentence is embracing, enjoying, and being aware of how you feel/what you are doing right now. It's 5:55 am. I feel rested, relaxed, and tranquil(what am I doing: writing to you and myself). The tranquility is one of the reasons I've become a "morning person" within the last few years...the calm(quiet) before the storm(adventure). "Being present" is a constant work in progress for me. Why? In between finding that present I am thinking/worrying about the past or thinking/worrying/planning the future.

Some of these are positive thoughts and some of them are negative. There is nothing wrong with either, just as long as you(I) can spend some time in the present. Relish what, how, who you are right now. Then do it again as soon as possible.

I'm scratching the surface of something monumental for me. I'm admitting to myself(and you) that I spend a good amount of my time planning, thinking, guilting, loving, dreading, anticipating my future and my past. Some of this is needed or even essential.

Example of time spent in the future: I have this "day planner" that goes wherever I go. It's like Linus's blanket. I write into it on average every hour. Appointments, events, birthdays, showers, tri club sessions, etc are a few of the items that are found in this planner/journal. This is essential for me. It is how I organize my time as a Realtor, tri-athlete, friend and other roles that define me. All this planning is great! I am able to orchestrate days full of adventures with clients, friends, fellow athletes, etc. It's easy to get so caught up in making this plan and following it that I forget to fully enjoy the present. Ahhh...breathe...I'm back to the present. When I allow myself to be present it feels wonderful.

Examples of time spent in the past: thoughts that make me smile...being proud of an improved race time, figuring out how to solve something at work using my past experience, remembering how cool my Mom was, telling stories of awesome past adventures. Sometimes my thoughts will creep on the negative side as well. Most of these negative thoughts revolve around something I think I should have done better...communicated better with a client, swam better in the pool, been a better friend, daughter, sister, wife. I didn't mention in my future paragraph, but some of those thoughts are negative too...fretting if someone will choose me as their Realtor, worrying about bills, etc.

It is normal to have your thoughts in the past and in the future, negative or positive. The idea is to make sure that there is a balance. One of the goals of this blog is to bring my focus to the present. To make sure I am actually enjoying the moments of my adventures and not just planning or remembering them. Just in writing this entry I was in and out of the past, future and present. The beauty is that I am closer to you, to me and to being more present because of it.

Throughout this day, let's savor every moment we can. That first sip of coffee, each conversation, your drive, your work, your lunch, the obstacle, the love...life...adventure.

The Ice Breaker

To our left is a relic of the past. It dates back to June 10, 2004, from my first speech with Toastmasters; a club devoted to developing communication and leadership skills.

http://www.toastmasters.org/

When you join Toastmasters you receive a manual of 10 speech projects. Each one is designed to develop your speaking skills one step at a time. Project 1 is "The Ice Breaker". You are suppose to choose aspects of your life that will give your fellow club members insight and understanding of you. The name of my ice breaker was..."Adventure".

If you had a chance to read my last post, I mentioned that I met my husband at a Memorial Weekend Party in 2004. Less than two weeks later(we spent every day together) I invited him to come see my first speech for this club. The night before the speech I wrote this definition of adventure on a small piece of paper for each audience member. Then I burned the edges to make it look like it was part of a treasure map. My goal was to let the audience know my fergitude on life. I wanted to share how I viewed my life as this phenomenal ongoing odyssey and that they too were on their own adventure. I told each of them that they were their own version of Indiana Jones. Six years later, here I am doing my first blog on the same thing. Wow. Coincidence...I don't think so.

I didn't know what I was getting into with writing this blog, but with each entry I discover treasure. I feel so much right now, I just do not quite know how to say it. This endeavor has already been enlightening, and very worth it. Maybe down the road I will be better able to convey it. For now, I'll use an analogy. When you think of any of our adventurers(Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Quartermain, Jason Bourne, William Wallace, the Goonies, Bastian from The Neverending Story, Sherlock Holmes), once they decide/realize their purpose(destination, mission, duty, passion, goal) many wonders, opportunities, and realizations start to unfold before them. Well...that is kinda what I'm feeling right now.

The piece of paper above belongs to my husband. He has kept it these six years in a special place that it was only removed from just long enough to take the picture. He said that once I finished that speech June 10, 2004 that I had sealed my fate. He was going to keep me forever. This man, my husband is amazing. As you may know from my last post, I consider him to be one of the most precious "jewels" I have discovered in my journey. For the record, it was he who came up with the word, Fergitude.

Jewels and Clues

Every choice has it's outcome, right? In my world these are the jewels, clues and fruits of my adventure. Imagine Indiana Jones in his quests(the lost ark, temple of doom, etc).

Last night's blog for example was a clue. I saddled up to the computer to accomplish the mission of my second blog entry, despite the fact that my brain was going into sleep mode. As a result, I uncovered a clue...that my blog writing should be done in the morning.

Let's take it up a notch. My choice to go to a Memorial Day party in 2004 lead me to one of the most precious jewels yet, my husband. On a whim, I decided I would say yes to a friend's crazy suggestion to run a 5K in 2005...five years later I am a triathlete. Trying to always walk down the path of love, respect, compassion and integrity has brought riches(love, friendship, family...) that rival any treasure that Indiana Jones happened upon.

Today, my itinerary includes observing people plunging into a freezing body of water, aiding a friend in need, a voyage to Bald Head Island, research/work for my clients and being aware of all the jewels, clues and fruits along the way.

Every decision I make is yet another turn in my exploration of this fantastic life.

The Choice is Yours

"You can get with this or you can get with that." Black Sheep (tribute to 90's Rap) The choice is yours. When you say that to yourself, do you feel the power? I do. I feel like Whoopi Goldberg's hyena character in "The Lion King" when she hears the name Mufasa. Ooh...say it again! The choice is yours. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peEkaiRNZoM Let's just dissect some choices of the average weekday evening adventure.

• try out a new dish ~ could lead you down the path of a new yumminess
• impulsively hug/kiss the closest person to you ~ could bring instant happiness to the receiver and you
• text your brother to tell him you're giving him a wake up call at 5am ~ could bring accountability in both of your workout goals
• write an entry in your blog ~ could learn more about yourself and touch others
• go over your plan for the next day ~ could set your mind at ease and prepare you for tomorrow's adventure
• finishing painting the picture you promised your sister-in-law for Christmas ~ could release some of the guilt
• curl up with a book and fall asleep ~ could bring you bliss
• yoga ~ could elongate your body, bring peace/tranquility and prevent injury in other pursuits such as triathlons, half-marathons, etc.
• long hot bath ~ could be just what the doctor ordered

My mind is a little fuzzy from my expedition today. It went a little something like this...I chose to be up at 5am to arrive for the 5:45am bike session with my tri club, contacted four leads about properties they're interested in, worked with new clients(marine scientists) that just drove in from the Bayou(the majority of my voyage!), checked in with current clients about their transactions, paid some bills, offered to help a friend move. Altogether it was about 11 hours of non-stop talking and a very productive day. Now it is time to reflect, relax and rejuvenate myself with some good old-fashioned rest.

Just so you know, for my evening I chose happiness, accountability, learning, and bliss. What did you choose?

What is Fergitude

Fergitude is a state of mind. It is the attitude that every day is an adventure. A choose-your-own adventure that is better than any book or movie you will encounter because it is your life. This will be my first attempt at a blog. My goal is to journal my journey through everyday life with the "fergitude"(mindset that each and every moment is a grand adventure). Each decision I make will lead me down undiscovered paths. It could be a decision that is perceived insignificant (to stop and have a coffee) or perceived as incredibly significant(to marry my husband). Each decision takes me down a different route than if I would have made another choice(I'll go into detail on this thought in a future entry). What we choose at every turn contributes to the masterpiece that is our life. I am here at this moment as a result of all my decisions that I've made up until this point...good and bad. Of course, there are other factors: spiritual, biological, etc...but overall it has do with how I choose...how you choose. I am doing this to empower myself and perhaps anyone out there who can identify with this vision. I am doing this to stay mindful, to stay present in this beautiful life. The journey will be full of joys, challenges, accomplishment, failure, love, anger, confidence, doubt, excitement, passion, fear, frustration, compassion... My mission is to relish everyday, to experience, to love those around me and to love me. What is Fergitude? It is how I choose to see life.