Life's Little Instructions

(Click on the image to make it bigger)
I saw this the other day and I thought, what else would I add?

Here are some:

* Sit in silence at least once a day.

* "Be" in every moment.

* Read books.

* Practice the art of reverence.

* Exercise.

* Laugh. A lot.

* Send Christmas cards (in the mail).

* Send handwritten letters (in the mail) just because.

* Walk barefoot in the grass.

* Look at the sky.

* Give hugs.

* Know it's ok to cry.

* Push yourself out of your comfort zone.

* Learn constantly.

* Don't lie.

* Be open to hearing other point(s) of view.

* Donate blood/platelets.

* Walk in the rain, and in the snow, and in the sun. Walk. A lot.

* Eat vegetables.

* Be grateful.

* Remember those that have gone before you. Don't forget the living.

* Sing out LOUD.

What else would you add?

It's that most wonderful time of the year!

It’s that most wonderful time of the year again! The time where I get to tell you that I am preparing for this year’s Christi Thomas Memorial Run for Kids Cancer Crusade. This year the race will take place on Sunday, September 25^th.

2011 marks the 5^th year I’ll be running in Christi’s memory. Five years. Five years is a very long time. And while I wish I didn’t have a reason to run every year, while I wish Christi could share her own story with you, in the absence of that possibility, I am here to once again, share with you the brilliant wonder that is my dear friend, Christi Thomas.

I was amazed by Christi from the moment I met her. She was 5 years old at the time and unbelievably brave, as all children grow to be when faced with cancer. Despite her young age, Christi was incredibly wise and completely selfless. She took care of the other children in the hospital and was often more concerned about their pain than her own. She always visited her friends and brought them gifts when she went in for treatment. Her love and kindness brought them much needed smiles. Christi was a ray of sunshine in the pediatric cancer wing. From the beginning, Christi inspired me to be a better person—to give more, to love more, to laugh more, to believe more. She still does.

I adored Christi’s love of books and learning. I remember thinking it was amazing that there was someone else out there that loved learning as much as I did. (Even though, Christi was much, much smarter!) Christi is with me every time I enter a library and every time I miss my stop on the bus because I am so engrossed in my book. (This happens more than I care to admit. It seems I have a problem.)

Most especially, Christi is with me on my morning “Christi run”. Some of you have asked me what a “Christi run” is. Simply, it’s how I refer to my 4:30am run. I used to just do a plain old run in the morning until I realized it was much more fun to picture Christi running beside me. At 4:30am, I need some motivation and inspiration to get up when my alarm goes off. Saying, “I need to get up for my Christi run” provides just that! And then, once a year, I participate in a race in Christi’s memory to raise money for Kids Cancer Crusade. And, perhaps most importantly, to have another moment to share Christi with you. Christi deserves to be remembered and this world still needs her wonder shared among us.

Thank you for all of your support and love and kindness over the years. If you could donate again this year, it would be appreciated. Together, we’ll keep Christi’s legacy alive and support the great work of Kids Cancer Crusade. Thank you!

To donate: http://active.com/donate/christirun2011

To learn more about KCC: http://kidscancercrusade.org/

I love you!
Olivia

An update

I want to keep this short today.

In the last two days, I've faltered in my sugar-free challenge. But, I am not going to let this get me down. In fact, I learned some really great lessons:

1. I feel MUCH better physically when I eat natural foods. It sounds so simple, but I can tell you that it is much more challenging than it seems...sadly, natural food can be hard to come by. Especially when you're in a rush or working 12 hour days and not taking proper care of yourself.

2. I feel MUCH, MUCH better emotionally when I skip refined sugar all together. Even when I think I am going to enjoy the sweet, I don't. Sugar really messes with my head. Who knows if this will ever change, but the way I feel almost immediately after eating refined sugar simply doesn't make it worth it.

3. I really can do anything I set my mind to. Getting up after a fall is the first step. And one I know well. Tomorrow, I'll be back on track.

30 Day Challenges

I actually got this link from my friend, Vickie. I think it sums up well my reasons for the 30 Day No Sugar Challenge.http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html

(Let's just hope that my day 31 is not quite like his!)

For a brief update on my no sugar progress-- it's been over a week now and I am doing well. I, once again, turned down some delicious sweets at a family function and didn't feel bad about it at all! I have to admit that yesterday I had a huge craving for some peanut butter and chocolate but I resisted. I will have all natural sweets again at some point-- things baked with honey, fruit, etc-- but not for now. I can honestly say that I don't really miss it at all. It actually feels great to think that I don't miss it and to know that I don't really need it like I was once convinced I did. I am proud of my progress. And, am considering other 30 day challenges in the future. (The photo a day sounds like fun!)

I will admit that did I have some ribs with BBQ sauce though. It may seem like nothing, but BBQ sauce has corn syrup in it (read SUGAR) so while I am doing well on the sweets front, I need to be more mindful about ingredients in ALL foods I eat. It's amazing how sugar is really in so many things!

If you are reading this-- what would your 30 day challenge look like?