Behold!

I am doing a new thing!
Once again (kind of like in 2009) several currents in my life are flowing together, impelling me forward into new and delicious doings - bold hearted and terrifying.  My "new year" begins Nov 1 (as you may or may not know about me).  I closed the book on the wretchedness of the year before and invited awesomeness in.  Gosh - the universe is amazing in reply!

I've added a little box on the sidebar linking to a fun "class" I'm taking through Big Picture Classes called "One Little Word".  The idea is to adopt one word - to explore it and invite all that it means to you into your life.  A touchstone, a process, a discovery - whatever you need or want - this one little word gets invited into your life.  My word is "Behold!" and it is seriously working.

Don't know if you can see how scared I am in this picture.  John says I look a little sarcastic.  (I promise you, I am not!)  I'm being BOLD - taking a picture for a self-portrait IMMEDIATELY just like the instructions said to*.  This is what I look like right after I've been struck by lightning (in an emotional - not physical way).  This is what it looks like when I commit whole heartedly to running my first marathon (not to mention competing in Ironman France 2014), writing and publishing my first book, while working full time (as a coach, workshop facilitator, and software trainer).  This is what I look like when it dawns on me how big I dream, how much I want the path I see before me, and how many steps imma have to take to get there.  Hoo-whee!

A few hours after all this Behold!-ing went on, I received a package in the mail from one of my wonderful clients.  Out of the blue.  For no reason other than she saw it and was struck by how perfect she thought it would be for me - she sent me a sign saying "Every Long Journey Begins with a Single Step".  She had no way to know what was going on for me.  I am friendly but do not throw my stuff at my clients.  And I hadn't had time to publicly post my ambitious goals and wholehearted commitment anywhere like Facebook (or here) yet! She acted on a "hunch" and was thereby a vessel for kindly affirmation from the universe.

Thank you universe! (I also thanked my client - profusely - in case you might be worried I hadn't.) I am buckling in for the ride.  I think of RBR's mantra for long runs and races, "Settle in.  We're gonna be here a while."  I know there is an awful lot of work - training, new skills to acquire, old negative habits of thought and action to eliminate, daily practice, unforeseen obstacles - the whole gamut.  But that's part of the joy, isn't it? Expect to hear more my pals.  I fear I am likely to dump it all here, triathlon and more.  Peace!

*Another thing you may or may not know about me is that I'm a "think about it for a long time" kinda gal.  Not so naturally a "read this and do it IMMEDIATELY" kinda gal.  I intuitively *know* what is right for me.  It is actually easy because for the big stuff - like falling in love with a person or sport - it feels like being struck by lightning must.  My hair stands up on end; I feel singed inside and out; I sob and laugh and scare the crap out of my partners who run in from the next room to find out what is wrong; I am wordless.  That distinct is the knowing.  Even for the littler stuff, the smaller decision trees, I hear an internal *click*. But the acting on it?  Especially the big stuff? Um yeah.  Not so much.  My fact-finder self has to research the hell out of something, take a class, interview anyone I can find who might have info, make pro/con lists etc.  (ad nauseum)  Taking a picture of myself to best capture "Behold!" at work in my life RIGHT THEN AND THERE (without going to shower, change clothes, think about background, etc) was itself an embodiment of beholding!  A step within a step.  I think it is going to be a very scary busy year.