My own version of happily ever after....

Happily ever after - fitting thought after returning from the most magical place on earth with fairy tale princesses at every corner.

But happily after what?
- After clearing the bad relationships from my life?
- After achieving a certain project at work?
- After hitting goal weight?
- After completing my first triathlon?
- After running my first marathon?
- After completing the Goofy Challenge?

I've spent too long working on "things" that I think will make me happy.
Kind of goes back to the previous post - losing focus on the journey and hoping the destination will somehow make me happy.

But happiness comes from how I feel, what I think.
So Happily Every After is a daily activity - my outlook, my reaction, my thoughts.

Neglect and Final Destinations

Yes - it's been a very long time since I posted anything here.
Why?  Hmmm - that answer is complicated - let's just say it might offer many more postings in the near future.  So I have neglected this site, struggling with pleasing everyone, frustrated by lack of inspiration, frantically searching for motivation to continue the journey.

So what have I been up to since I last posted? Honestly, not anything I can vaguely remember as significant.
Seemed lost - going through the motions of life - regained a little weight, adapting to changes, but bottling up emotions to maintain appearance of everything all good.  Probably why there weren't many posts - you can't fake writing about what's in your head.

So - my mindless meandering through the Internet - looking for something to represent my latest running achievements and came across this...

Focus on the Journey... Not the Destination

I just finished my first marathon in December and the Goofy Challenge (39.3 miles) in January and I'm struggling to feel a sense of accomplishment.  The quote sums it up - I was so focused on the destination, the finish line - that I lost any sense of the journey leading up to those two events.  The races themselves seemed surreal.

So - back to the drawing board - must tell myself every day to Focus on the Journey...

Reflecting on my journey... a year later...

Okay - so Facebook likes to show you what was on your mind a year ago by displaying your status update...

August 28, 2010 - "Cleaning out the closet today... hoping for mental clarity"
Lots of things went through my head at that moment...

• Seriously? It's been a year already? 
• WOW! I never expected this much change in search of mental clarity.
• How many times have I cleaned out my closet since then? What else have I cleaned out hoping for mental clarity?
• Do I really have mental clarity today?

A year ago I unveiled my weightloss and realized that there was still a lot of work ahead - learning more about myself along the way. 

Of course, I could spend this blog focusing on the challenges over the past year. But those are all documented in other postings - so I make this more like a celebration!

Or my typical mental self could focus on self-improvement in search of mental clarity... but I choose to appreciate the journey and not antogonize myself with perfection. This truly has been a lifestyle change and I am a different person because of this journey...

But the journey is never over - so here's a toast to this milestone!

• Challenging or Pushing yourself is important for continuous self-improvement, but achieving balance and harmony in life is where happiness happens.
• You can't love someone until you love yourself unconditionally.
• Don't waste time regretting the past - learn from it.
• Ego and Pride can make for a nasty bike wreck.
• You don't have to go on this journey alone - others have traveled the same road.
• Give back and help others who are starting out on their journey.
• I am an athlete because I pushed myself past self-imposed limits.
• I am a triathlete because someone was a true partner and encouraged me along the way.

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage....
Life expands exponentially when someone is beside you during moments of courage.