More Street Art

    

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wy_jackrabbit/4564912966/">Wyoming_Jackrabbit</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>    

     Yesterday the kids and I were enjoying the beautiful weather outside and still feeling the urge to create some random art, we graffitied the neighbor's sidewalks with sidewalk chalk. I opted for quotes about peace, hope, and love. We only chose neighbor's whom I knew wouldn't mind. There are so many quotes that I love, but I found I couldn't remember too many of them at the time. If given some chalk and a sidewalk what inspirational would you share? Wouldn't it be fun to write them all over?

R.A.K. week

     Most of us living on the East coast have only been hearing about one thing this week, the looming snow storm. Everyone has been attempting to predict how many inches we're going to get hit with and wondering if we'll lose power. Valentine's day almost seems like an afterthought in comparison. But did you know that it's also Random Acts of Kindness Week? And what better timing? There are always people who could use a little kindness around St. Valentine's Day and I'm sure the impending storm will present plenty of opportunity to shovel an elderly neighbor's walk or clean off someone's car. Hopefully there won't be power outages, but if there are that's another chance to kindly offer to help someone. I remember when the other side of our street lost power for days one summer and there were extension cords traveling from one side of the street to the other, neighbor helping neighbor. I would never wish for a disaster but if we get slammed by Pax, a highly ironic name for a storm I might add, then why not view it as an occasion to spread a little kindness and offer a helping hand to those you see in need. If there is anything good about a catastrophe it's that it brings out the best in people. There are always stories of how someone rose to the occasion to come to another's aide. So be on the be on the look out. You may just make someone's day.

Photo Credit:
<iframe src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/8579864747/player/" width="500" height="375" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>

Inspiration and Endorphins

     In my last post I told you I'm a runner. The truth is I'm fairly new to running and am extremely slow, which is probably why people feel the need to cheer me on. I've been running, at a very slow pace, since last March. This is currently the longest I have ever stuck with any form of exercise. I think the reason has a lot to do with the running community. I have never experienced anything like it. The support, encouragement, and positive feeling amongst runners blows my mind. My husband, a swimmer, tells me the swimming community is much the same, and I imagine other groups are as well. I began with a couch to 5K program and was very much on the couch at the start. A neighbor who saw me on the go invited me to join a local Facebook group called The Moms Run This Town. A more inspiring group of women I have yet to meet. Many of the group are experienced runners with myriad races under their belt but there is no feeling of superiority, simply support and kudos given to each members accomplishments on the road, no matter how small they may seem. It is no wonder to me why running and races have become so popular. There is so much goodwill at the events I've been to you can see how people get hooked. And the good feeling doesn't just help other runners. Most races support various charities putting all those endorphins to further good use. I'll admit part of my enjoyment of the sport comes from being able to get out of my house for a short while a few times a week, but I think the real reason I've stuck with it so long is the support and inspiration I've found in the running community, especially through the Moms Run This Town. I hope I am able to inspire others the way they have inspired me. It's just one more way we can each make a difference.

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/2913348690/">mikebaird</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>