I have been going through a long process of trying to understand how to get my thoughts and experiences out there, wherever that may be.

I have always thought that a more positive life would lead to a positive way of living, it’s just obvious.  How could it not?  The thing is that I love sharing and hearing people’s thoughts. I love feedback.  I love to hear people’s opinions, what works for them, what doesn’t… and obviously: why?

I have read many books that one would think would lead to self improvement, but I have come to realize that we are all individuals and that also, beyond that, self-improvement becomes so much easier when you can share it with others, get feedback, and in the process, also get support.  The human part of us yearns for interaction in both directions.

I realized that that I wanted to start some kind of blog or website geared towards positive steps when my daughter joined a “Girls On The Run” program at school.  Well, my realization didn’t’ come the day that she joined; it came the day when I ran the 5K run with her at the end of the program.

Before she joined the program I was constantly struggling with my self-improvement plans.  They ranged from losing weight, to managing my stress levels, to being more organized, to being more proactive, to being less depressed… the list just goes on!  I had some progress on some levels, small achievements, but when I signed up for the 5K run upon request from my daughter (and she was already ready for me to say no), my goals suddenly undertook at different meaning.  I looked into what the GOTR goal was (improving self-esteem and self-worth while teaching the participants, all girls, to understand the importance of regular exercise).  That sounds good!  Right?

The thing is this:

I had read so many books about fitness, health, exercise, self-improvement, etc, etc, that I think it had all merged in one and I didn’t know how to REALLY get up and DO something.  I was overwhelmed about where to start, what to do, what to choose as the best option for me, etc.  It was just overwhelming!  So, my daughter starts a simple program that incorporates social understanding (how to deal with bullies, how to be yourself, etc) with physical exercise (along with it goals such as running a 5K).  It seemed like a good thing for her to do just for her to have something to do, but I quickly realized that in just DOING something she was doing a lot; in just carrying something through, she was achieving something that meant a lot.

So, when I signed up for the 5K run (to run WITH her) I realized that I had to get in shape.  At that point I knew I could survive a 5K run, but the question was: could I survive it respectably?  I knew I couldn’t.  I let my daughter know that I would be running it with her, because she thought I wouldn’t (because I wasn’t working out all that much), and that we needed to train.  We were able to train together twice at our local gym, while she trained at the GOTR sessions and I also worked out myself at the gym.  I suddenly had an eminent goal.  There was no way to ignore it or to put it off… at least without risking having my daughter being severely disappointed with me.  As a mother, having your children being disappointed with you is way to painful!

We went to the 5K.  We had to get up early on a Saturday morning, which was significant because we both love sleeping in.  It was exciting.  It was great to be together.  It was great to share that kind of experience together.  I made sure I had charged my iPhone and loaded it with music and I made sure that I charged my older iPod and loaded it with music for her.

We ran the 5K.  It was hard on my daughter, I must admit… but the moment the race started and I looked around me at the mothers and daughters also running… it was just an exhilarating moment.  There were mothers and daughters from all walks of life.  Just in front of me there was a mother with a daughter with an amputated leg and they ran much much faster that my daughter and me.  There were short people, tall people, overweight people, skinny people… ALL KINDS; and everyone just ran with a smile on their face and every single mother ran while encouraging their daughter.  So simple.

We finished the race.  I had to encourage my daughter because I realized that she just didn’t have experience in pacing herself, breathing and all the other stuff that you need to know to run well; but she finished.

At that point I realized that sharing with others is what makes it all worthwhile.  That is where the satisfaction come from.  I had mothers give me tips for my daughter as we were running.  There was a mutual understanding between us all.  We only want our daughters to enjoy it and feel like they achieved something.

This is not about being the best.  It’s not about finishing first.  This is about achieving.

This is what my blog and website is about and what it’s for.  I want to share, because you can know a lot but if you don’t share it with others it becomes an alphabet soup of knowledge that nobody can read.

I plan to share my goals and knowledge with others.  I plan to share what brings me down and what lifts me up.  I’d love to have input, comments and just general thoughts on what I share.  I’m searching for the best path and I know that can always be changed, tweaked, improved… but my goal is to share what works and doesn’t for me and hopefully get input on the same level from others.

I want to be a better person in all aspects and I also want my children to see an example in me so they can also make the most of this world.

Need more information about “Girls On The Run”?  Click HERE.