Flying Lessons

The other day I received an amazing message from a friend--one of those "right message at the right time" experiences. In describing the upcoming changes in my life, I mentioned that I had faith that something would be under my foot as I took my next step--that things would be okay. Here's what he wrote:

"I can tell you only this, if you choose the path you know you must, and it sounds like you want to, there is really nothing under foot and no landing. The practice as Archarya Lyon would tell you is one without reference, groundless. As my teacher, Dzongsar Khentyse would say it, there is simply nothing to grasp onto. It's all about doing it in freefall and enjoying the ride."

Automatic Response #1: Crap!
Automatic Response #2: Crap, he's right.

As much as I would like to believe that there are things I can control, things upon which I can rely, the reality is that life is a freefall from moment to moment: it is what it is. My friend's words served as a snap to get my attention, a knock on my head to see if I was paying attention. Because it's so much easier for me to cling to any ground I can...instead of allowing myself the freedom to be without ground. And after all, flying can be much more fun than desperately clinging to an illusion.

It made me think about that scene in Disney's "Earth" where the fledglings are high up in a tree, and their mother gives them flying lessons: she jumps out of the tree, flies to the ground, looks back to the fledglings and calls for them to follow. And one by one, each baby bird takes the leap, flaps its wings, and lands safely on the ground...some more gracefully than others, but all of them successful. The air, after all, is where they belong.

So I've shifted my perspective about the rapidly-approaching unknown. Perhaps life is calling for me to stop clinging to my tree and just jump already! Instead of something to fear, it's a flying lesson. Whoo hoo! Watch me flap my wings and soar!

Celebrating Our Independence

This Fourth of July weekend, I invite us to take a moment and celebrate the independence we seek to achieve from your fears and doubts, and the progress we have made toward that end.

We do not have to be completely victorious in our efforts to merit celebration. The smallest successes are worthy of our praise: speaking up that one time instead of staying silent; saying "no" when we really needed to; pushing ourselves even a toe past our normal comfort zones and realizing that we did not die in the process!

So wherever we are on our imperfect journeys, let's take this crest of the hill to look back and recognize just how far we've come. Then look ahead to all the wonderful things that lie ahead, and enjoy the next step. Adventure!!!

Planting the Seed in Public

Well, it's not like an ad in the New York Times, but it's done: I have started the Imperfect Action Force group on Facebook!

Yikes! The controlling uberperfectionist in me is freaking out...how will I possibly make that group even one tenth of what I'd like it to be? (I've also checked the group 127 times over the last ten minutes to see if anyone has found the group yet.)

The softer, more reasonable side in me is a bit more forgiving. It is, after all, the Imperfect Action Force. I've sent invites to everyone in my Facebook friends list--some may be interested, many may not. And that's okay...I've planted the seed and now I need to give it some sun, water, and space to take root and start growing. Who knows how it will flower? Could be a rose, could be society garlic. Heck, it could be corriander for all I know! (Good thing I like corriander...)

I invite you to check out the links section on the right side of the screen for a link...and feel free to give that group a little lovin' of your own to help this little plant grow.

Publish Post

Looking forward to the first harvest!

An Imperfect Runner

"So how long did it take you?"

My boyfriend's father, Jim, squinted up at me from under his floppy had as I jaunted over to him in the back yard. He had been working on the back deck, and I had just run my first ever 10K--a "challenging" trek over and under mountains, complete with sherpas. (Okay, not really, but it could have been.)

"One hour and thirty minutes," I proudly said with a smile.

Jim struggled to his feet, looking confused. "How long of a run was it?"

"A 10K mountain trail run. And I'm happy with that time, Jim."

"Oh. Okay. Let me show you what I've been doing on the deck..."

- - - - -

What I didn't tell Jim was that I came in dead last in that run. And I mean DEAD last. As in, a-trail-guide-took-my-picture-to-prove-that-I-was-alive-when-she-found-me last. After his reaction to my time, I thought it prudent to omit that small detail. So now you know: I'm a slow runner.

But guess what? I AM a runner. I LOVE running. It was always hard for me to get myself to the gym, but just try to stop me from getting my training in! I simply love the rhythm I fall into when my feet hit the pavement. I love the feeling of each step slowly sifting things out of my head and stress out of my body. It's a moving meditation for me--not about running at any particular speed, but just to be in my body covering the distance and being present for it all.

Jim ran a marathon in his 40's. He ran it at (I think) a 7 minute mile pace. I'm 39, training for the Disneyland half-marathon (my first!) in September, and I will be thrilled to run it at a 10 minute mile pace. I won't be first to cross the finish line, but I won't be last either. I'll get to experience the run, enjoy the process, maybe have my picture taken with a character or two, and cheer on the rest of the participants once I've crossed my own finish line...with a big smile on my face!

And this is where Jim and I differ about running. He sees running as a competition against others; I see running as a collaboration with myself and the moment. And by doing this, I will win that race every time regardless of my pace!