On Being Proud...

Dear Lily & Jack,

I ran my first DUATHLON today!!! It is something I have wanted to do for a long time, and finally decided that 2011 was the year to do it. While I was riding my bike on the second leg of my journey this morning, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with emotion...and, think of you two, of course. There are lots of things I learned and was reminded of today.

Keep these pointers in mind in life. They are my wishes for you :)

Be a risk-taker. I am too cautious, too prudent and too afraid to do lots of things. Don't be that way...you'll miss too much in life! Today made me feel really apprehensive. I wasn't even positive that I could do it. But, you know what? The outcome was more than worth it. You'll never know how great something can be if you don't give it a try!
(JACK- this does NOT mean I want you to participate in extreme sports! Got it?!)









Never...ever, ever, ever...sell yourself short! In life, other people will have more stuff/more gear/more experience/more whatever than you. A) you don't need all of that crap. B) you are the only person who has control over completing your mission. Go for it...you can totally do it! C) everyone has to start somewhere. First times aren't easy...but you have to have them!









If you put your mind to it, you can do anything you think is possible! Do what you know you can do...and be prepared to be amazed!









Enjoy solitude. Go for a bike ride or run without music on...really early in the morning. Listen to the silence around you and enjoy every second of it.









Always take care of yourself, and make your health and happiness a priority. Please, please, please do lots of HEALTHY things to make you feel like a rock star! And, remember...it's okay to put yourself first sometimes!


*Thanks for being my biggest fans! (And to your dad for making that a priority) That means the world to me. I do it for you...