Out for a run...

It had been almost a month since I had gone for a run so earlier this week I decided to pull out the trusty running shoes. It had been a long day of classes and I was in need of something to relieve some stress. So out the door I went.

I’ve always enjoyed running and outdoor activities. (I can’t stand treadmill running. Running outdoors is so much more exciting and eventful.) But last January I got a bit more serious as a runner. At the beginning of 2011 I started training to run my first half marathon. Looking back, the idea wasn’t crazy but the timing certainly was. I began training during an extremely tough semester that left me with time to only run 2 days a week. But it was an absolutely incredible experience. I completed my first 10 mile run last February and continued to increase my distance each weekend. Then, the big day finally came: RACE DAY! I don’t know why but I decided that the best time to schedule my first half marathon ever was right in the MIDDLE of finals week! But when I crossed that finish line in Nashville, I couldn’t have care less about exams.

 I have learned so much from running: discipline, patience, and faith. That run last week was a bit painful but I’m excited to start training again. 

Selfless Service

Take a quick glance around the CNN.com homepage and you will find an incredible amount of world issues. There is much turmoil and suffering in the world today. We are often quick to judge America for all of its problems and to complain about every decision that the politicians have made. However, if we are honest, we have a very high standard of living in America compared to many other places in this world. We, as a country, have been blessed, among other things, with food and plenty of space in which to live. Now, I'm not trying to sugar-coat life or simply ignore the issues in America. There are problems that should be addressed. However, we are often quick to complain about these issues and attack with negativity. Complaining just for the sake of complaining rarely succeeds in making changes. What if we chose to focus more on the ways that we have been blessed in America and then attack the problems with an attitude of service? What if we focused less on OUR problems and stopped for a moment to see the problems of others and then how we might assist them? How would this affect the overall attitude in America and how would it affect the efficiency of problem solving in America?
Give it some thought....and let me know what you think...

For Ages 6 and Up

I was sitting in my living room one night playing Jenga with my roommates and blaring some Muse and Coldplay (when I probably should have been doing homework). The side of the game box caught my eye and it read “For Ages 6 to Adult”. The game manufacturers more than likely were referring to the physical age of a person but this made me start thinking about all the “childish” things that I still enjoy. Any night of studying around my apartment will be always be punctuated by the latest Chuck Norris joke, a quick but epic Nerf gun battle. All these things are what have made college one of the most fun times in my life. However, not all things are “childish” and fun in life. Often, decisions must be made all on your own and you must be disciplined in decision making. In these situations, you must approach decisions as an adult would approach them and seek the advice of other adults. I’m still learning how to ride this line between child and adult. But it has been an exciting ride so far and I expect there will be many adventures to come in the future….Ok, I have to run….Muppet Treasure Island is starting!