Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Day 12: Oh! The Places You'll Go!

So this past weekend, we traveled back to our hometown to celebrate the Canadian Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends.  We all had a lovely time eating delicious turkey with all the fixin's.

The wonderful weekend was topped off with a somewhat spontaneous decision to run a 3k with the local running club.  Since I usually run at least that distance on a regular basis, I figured... why not?!


“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go."

- Dr. Seuss, Oh! The Places You'll Go!



That morning, it was early and I was tired.  Maybe it was the tryptophan in the turkey the day before, maybe it was too much caffeine in my system, or maybe it was all of the thoughts in my mind, but I hadn't slept well at all.   It was a tough decision and I was so close to going back to bed, but I knew that I could push through these preconceived limitations.  I knew that I could do it.

So off to the races we went!  It was a very small race and the people there were so friendly and welcoming.  The atmosphere was casual and laid back.  Even our dog Roxy was welcome to run with me.



Photo courtesy of Gary Gleason



The race consisted of 3 laps.  Heading into the final lap, Roxy saw the members of our cheering section...



Photo courtesy of Gary Gleason


...and decided that she'd rather be there.



Photo courtesy of Gary Gleason



So I crossed the finish line alone...


"All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.
But on you will go though the weather be foul.
On you will go though your enemies prowl.
On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike.
And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are."

- Dr. Seuss, Oh! The Places You'll Go!






...And, although my goal was just to finish, I actually won a second place ribbon for my age group (yay, for small races)!


"And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)"

- Dr. Seuss, Oh! The Places You'll Go!






So the next time that you're facing your limitations, it's early, you're tired, or maybe you're all alone, just remember...



"Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!"
- Dr. Seuss, Oh! The Places You'll Go!



Thanks for stopping by.


 
This post is part of my blog series, "31 Days of Words to Live By".  For the month of October, I will be sharing my favourite quotes and sayings while incorporating them into daily life and art projects.

This series was inspired by The Inspired Room, where you'll find other "31 Days" series among many other wonderful things!




Day 12: Oh! The Places You'll Go!



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