Be a mountain climber

Whether we live at sea level or at 4,000 feet, there are mountains.

Challenges, tragedies. Confusion, stress. Depression, indecision. Negativity, neglect.

One foot in front of the other. One step at a time, at our own unique pace. Climbing is possible, always.

The view at the top, the new perspective, the clarity, the achievement, the hope--is worth it.

Be a mountain climber.

(mount saint elias)

A love/hate letter

Dear treadmill, 

Our relationship is complicated. I speak ill of you often. Instead of defending you, I join the gossip about you. Compared to the natural outdoors, you are boring. And you take up energy, which is not healthy. In fact, you actually harm the earth while I'm trying to stay healthy. It's a paradox of sorts. Just complicated, really...

Now, I must admit:  on cold mornings and evenings, complete with below freezing temps and icy sidewalks, you are mighty attractive. On tough days when I'm emotional or just not feeling a workout, you don't let me stop. Your belt keeps going, like the flat rubber version of Forrest Gump.

If you don't want to be my valentine this year, I'll understand. But please know, there is a little piece inside of me that loves you. (a little piece that only surfaces between December and March in the northeast region of the USA)

xoxo

Mary

Spread the red

In honor of the Chinese New Year and the celebration of the lunisolar calendar, let's try to spread the red (good fortune) today. It may be letting someone know you love them, holding the door for a stranger, making the extra effort to compromise, or, like many, spending time with family.

And while you are spreading some red, feel free to celebrate the intelligent, witty, playful people around you. It's their year--the year of the Monkey.

Change is the heartbeat of growth

New name, new format, new content!
When I started this blog a few years ago, I wanted to share my travels with friends and family. Through my Horvitz Fellowship and my job at SeriousFun Children's Network, I traveled to several new countries and a blog was the most efficient way to share my experiences with lots of people.

Over the past year, my posts have become less and less frequent, and 'new countries' are not a constant in my travels. I'm sure I could find something new to focus on in each country, on each trip. Instead, I've decided to re-structure my blogging all-together and blog as frequently as I log miles, which is nearly every day.

This new structure is inspired by the random thoughts, ideas, and bronze nuggets (certainly not golden!) that accumulate on my runs, and Seth Godin's daily post-blog--which I try to read each day...and you can, too, so long as you read mine!

No pressure to read each day--I'm merely hoping to share more food for thought by blogging each day. Get excited! Change is a-coming :)

Mary

This quilt's story

 

On Friday evening, a chilly walk from the train station ended with a warm surprise. Waiting in the small lobby of my apartment building was a package emblazoned with a royal blue sticker reading PROJECT REPAT. My t-shirt quilt had arrived!

As I flipped the square of squares into the air and spread it flat on my bed, I realized that together, the 16 panels adequately represented the past five years of my life.

I gave each panel it's due attention, justifying again why it was worth including in the quilt. 

One panel caught my eye. It says 'I'm a camper for life.' This one I reflected on a bit longer...

What does it mean to be a camper? Why would you want to be one for life?

Campers keep it simple. A celebration:  people, stories, songs.  A confidence boost:  hi-5s, a pat on the back.

Campers are good at unplugging. What's better than tea with a friend?!

Campers take risks. Campers identify their limits and then stretch their capacities; and constantly reassess their limits as they grow.

Campers appreciate differences. Having an open mind means seeing the wonderful sum of these uniquities.

Campers understand and believe in human connection. Campers look for a common interest or fact or emotion--a foundation on which to build a relationship.

Campers are welcoming and inclusive of everybody. Campers smile, knowing the power of that initiation. Campers always extend the invitation--an opportunity for human connection. 

Campers love circles. Circles represent commitment and allow for seeing everyone's face--inclusion.

Campers are always game for an adventure, whether it is climbing a rock wall, a mountain or a bunk bed ladder. 

Campers are comfortable in their own skin. Campers know their value and share it enthusiastically. 

Campers bring out the best in others. Campers notice when others are comfortable (or uncomfortable) and encourage accordingly.

Campers are always learning. Campers do not have all the answers--and understand that no one does. Campers are eager to learn from people, places, and experiences. 

Campers have hope--in themselves, in the people they meet, and in the world. 

Campers are not solely children or those who may sleep in tents. Campers are people who see a world of extraordinary humans and want to connect with it.

I'm still striving to be a camper. 

Maybe my t-shirt should read 'I want to be a camper for life.'

Happy Birthday, mama bear!

Four years ago, I met a dear friend. She transforms my view of the world on a daily basis. And not once have I ever doubted the love, support and strength of our friendship. It's a beautiful thing, really.

November 17th is her birthday and 2015 is her year of celebration. To celebrate such a special friend and honor this extraordinary woman, here are three life lessons she's taught me over the years. My hope is that you too will benefit from these lessons...and one day, meet mama bear :)

1. Put your people first.

The relationships we have are the most prized possessions that exist in our lives. Always prioritize your people before any to-do list item. Visit them. Support them. Love them. Cherish your people.

2. See the potential.

When we see people or an idea brimming with potential, we need to pounce on it. Let's avoid getting too caught up in our own tunnel-vision and see the potential--that's where the magic happens. Focus on the strengths of those surrounding you and it will all fall into place.

3. Always pack snacks. 

Going to the movies? Having an afternoon meeting? Folding laundry? Traveling to another country? Brushing your hair? Always have snacks on hand. Too much food beats hunger-induced anger any day. 

Have an amazing day, Hales!

To the moon and back,

Mary

In Work and Play

September 2015. It's fair to say that work and play are very much intertwined in my world. Some of my biggest life moments have been shared with my colleagues. Hugs and personal notes are at the heart of my job description. And it's a rare day if I'm not thinking about work 20 hours a day. Yes, even in dreams (or in the case of waking up last Tuesday thinking I was flying to India, nightmares). Yet it still comes as a surprise when I realize I'm not practicing what I preach, in my own life.

June 2011. After college, it was a shock to my system not to have hours of physical activity each day. I needed something simple and cheap to stay in shape, and running was it! With road races gaining popularity, I jumped on the bandwagon. Having learned in college that endurance, not speed, is my forte, I signed up for my first 10k in October 2011--the longest distance I'd ever run. From there, I gave myself a year to work up to a full marathon. Quickly, I came to define achievement by how many miles I logged. 

During work trips, we support local teams to manage a child-focused camp program, and we share a four-part model, sometimes referred to as the 'TR model.'  Standing for therapeutic recreation, the TR model is an on-going cycle of challenge>success>reflection>discovery, used to intentionally frame an activity. To give independence and control to the child, we emphasize 'challenge by choice,' which most simply means the child chooses his/her level and type of challenge or activity, based on his/her goals and comfort levels.

About three months ago, I signed up to run the New Haven Road Race and fundraise for Girls on the Run, a youth development program for young girls. Presented with the choice of either the 20k or 5k, I signed up for the 20k and was excited to build out my training program. I even wanted to try a new 4-day per week running schedule, so I did! My fundraising goal had a minimum of $250, which I felt was feasible, and I had the option of increasing my goal. Choices made. Challenges accepted.

The second part of the TR model is success. When training camp staff, we explain that being focused on the child means giving the child the opportunity to define success on his/her own terms. And if a specific goal was set and not met, child-focused means staying focused on the child (not the goal) and helping him/her see where success did occur. Goals change, and with that, so does success.

Nine days before race day, I found myself on a run with a nagging tightness in my right foot and no confidence in my body to run a 20k. First thought--get over it, run the 20k, deal with the discomfort. The other option is the 5k, and that distance is not a enough of a personal challenge. Sun rises again and I'm out for a late afternoon run. On Edgehill Road, about 3 miles from home, I check my watch:  26 minutes. Hmm, another challenge is born. If I can do a training run in 26 minutes, why can't I clock 23 in a race? Choice made. New challenge accepted. Success redefined.

One of my favorite 'pep-talk' quotes is from Steve Prefontaine, former Oregon duck, American record-holder and Olympic runner:  'I run best when I run free.' Thanks to the good 'ol TR model, I'll be running free this weekend. Free of a challenge I'm not comfortable with, and free from defining my success merely by distance. I suppose it's not always a bad thing that work is on my mind...