Smiles Amidst Insanity

Smile. I Want To Smile

The year closes today. In a sense, I am happy. In a blink of a second look I am sad. Today is hard. Perspective is skewed. Gaza is being bombed, people are dying, and the ball is preparing to lower high above Time Square. Party people gather. Soldiers take cover.

In the words of Dicken's, "It was the best of times and it was the worst of times."

What was it for you? The contrast of emotions dangle in my mind. As the year ticks its last second, in 2009, I want a greater and more accurate perspective of life, joy, hope, kindness, grace, mercy, and [you fill in the blank here.]

I want my eyes to lock into hope with the trained eye of a sniper. I want the scope to be so focused on what I do, that despite the hopelessness and despair that I see, I can still find life more abundantly.

I stumbled on to a photo essay called "Smiles."



I wanted to smile. As I clicked through and viewed the essay of images, the photographer accomplished to bring a greater perspective to the place you and I live.

Smiles Amidst Insanity

Essential statement: No Matter Your Living Conditions, Smile.



Until the next time,

Jharp

Unexpected Honor

Angela always sends me creative links to things "Jason Harper Minded." A couple days ago she connected me to a guy that was wanting to interview people who worked on the mental side of running as well as the physical training.

I don't intentionally sit down and focus on running. I don't sit down and do mental repetitions. But I do focus on outcome. I do conscientiously seek to avoid any negotiations between my mind and my will. I let them battle it out. I steer clear.


So I connected with Tom Trush. Tom runs a website that build audio coaching for runners. Essentially, he interviews people, then mixes the interview down. He pushes it out to runners so they can listen and learn how to run, while they run.

Heart felt stories, stories of hope, and lessons learned are his focus.

We talked for an hour. At the end, he asked me what was the next summit of my running journey? Frozen, I answered. Little did I know the interview would be posted so quickly.

My plans may have been leaked. So rather than dodging it, I want to affirm that I am started to dream about what is next. But, I remain committed about not committing to anything until January.

Here is the interview if you are interested:

Running Audio Interviews Me On Next Adventure

Until then, Happy Christmas and Merry New Year.

JAS