January Thoughts – Dare to Dream

21 Jan 2026 Leave a comment

by Lori in Health and Wellness Tags: , , , , 

Listen to this dream - Genesis 37:6

Over the years I’ve said a lot and a lot have been said over the issue of New Year goals and intentions. In fact, I weary now of all the chatter, that mostly it’s just that – chatter. I quite prefer action over and above the noise. Some would say I’m getting older and losing my sense of adventure or maybe I’m just going through a challenging phase. I might go with the latter and strongly refute the first. Older, yes, losing my sense of adventure, no. But yes, challenging seasons tend to alter our outlook some and so I find myself entering this New Year a bit more pensive, if you will. I know perspective is important so I’ve taken that into consideration and adjusted my outlook to reflect someone who is hopeful and forward thinking. That said,  I’m grateful to God for growth opportunities this year and look forward to changes and momentum.

In keeping with a positive and fresh perspective for the New Year, I think it’s important, and necessary even, to surround myself with a forward thinking or visionary projection to center and encourage my thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors in order to see the growth I expect. You see pensive isn’t a bad thing, it gives me pause and opportunity to sit and sort my thoughts and allow for clarity and order to emerge from the muddle and confusion of the past months. Unarguably, we are so much more empowered to move ahead or dive in with a clearer head and a brighter picture. Such is the power of a vision. So I’ve sat and prayed and ruminated, and I’m ready to see the bigger picture. A picture that includes a path that is winding – some ups and downs surely, but hope springs eternal because there’s room for respite. A pastor I admire have asked his congregation to “DARE” again. D – dream again. A – ask again. R – risk again. E – engage again. I think it’s a great acronym to embrace as we step into 2026. Sometimes life can stifle your dreams with challenges and struggles that leave you feeling beat down and exhausted. A new year presents the opportunity to put the last year and it’s disappointments behind us and to believe for better things once more. God’s Word says we have not because we ask not and when we do ask it is with the wrong motives. Well Lord, here I am asking. Purify my motives and give me a fresh vision and a fresh start. Give me new hope and strength for the things I desire for Your glory this year. All fear aside, because I have power, love, and self discipline, I’m embracing faith and taking the first step even when I can’t see the whole staircase. No risk, no reward. Thankfully, God’s with us. Lastly, I have determined to engage the Word of God and engage with others this year. It’s so easy to isolate and/ or hide behind a screen or situations when things get challenging. Been there, done that. It hasn’t been an effective strategy. This new year calls for a new strategy.  I’m choosing to engage and I hope you do too.

My friends, pop the champagne, let’s drink to a year of steps ordained by the Lord so that we can navigate life with wisdom, grace, and authenticity. I embrace this opportunity for new lens, renewed purpose, and joyful strength to face whatever is before me. I see growth, transformation, and momentum as I move forward daily by God’s grace. While my objective reality is skewed toward uncertainty and distractions, I choose to focus my faith on the One I know to be true and present with me and so I claim a path forward of peace and purpose. 2016 is my year to bloom where I’m planted and to sow the seeds I gather along the way: seeds of patience, grace, wisdom, humility, compassion, kindness, and gentleness. It’s not too late to get your heart and mind right. Join me. Our reward will be great!

Happy New Year of running, cycling, swimming, climbing, hiking, crossfittng, adventuring, writing, traveling, and clean eating!

29 Jan 2023 Leave a comment

by Lori in Exercise Tags: , , , ,

@ Coney Island

The year is young and so are we! Full of potential, promise, and purpose is how a new year makes you feel, until about four months in. But that’s not going to happen this year. No no, no. 2023 is the year we’re going to woman or man up, put our best foot forward, and grab each day by its proverbial horns and wrestle the best out of it. How has that been going for you dear reader? Are you off to a good start? I’m sending you my best; you’ve got this! Re the topic heading, I’ve been able to get some in and it’s only January. I’m greatly encouraged. But a word of caution here: I’m looking at progress over perfection. Let’s hear it for good intentions! They can be a great motivator but you have to pace yourself and remain consistent. This is how we will see progress.

My running game is on the downside these days as I’m having some sciatic-related issues w my feet. I’m on the hunt for a good pair of running shoes to help with that and have been more gym hopping and at least one major bike ride happened. That’s big for me as it’s winter and I’m not a fan of doing anything in the cold and cycling in with cold air is not up there on my favorite things to do. That said, last Saturday I went on a 15 mile ride to the beach and back. It was a beautiful day and in line with the tamest of winters we’ve had in a minute. What a ride! Perfectly awesome from start to finish, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Now I hadn’t been on the bike since last September I think so I was prepared to feel all sorts of after effects. Much to my delight, it seems that the “it’s like riding a bike” saying has some merit. My body certainly testifies to it and fell right into groove no questions asked. Of course that random spring ish day has not resurfaced yet but I have hopes that it will.

Meanwhile, I’ve mixed up my workout regime for the next few weeks to include some yoga, Tabatha, HIIT, cycling, and strength workouts. My goal is to resume CrossFit in March and I’ve had the idea to slowly wake up my body to getting back into workout mode with various cross training techniques. Also, it’s a good opportunity to see what kind of shape my back is in before transitioning into a more demanding style of working out and lifting weights once more. I’m also excited to start some swimming classes as I have intentions to do a sprint triathlon sometime this year. It’s been a minute with any type of water sports for me but I’m believing it’ll be like riding a bike. Lol.

There you have it! My doings and intentions are moving along. By God’s grace there will be no hiccups along the way but even if I’m ok with taking it slow. This year my watchwords are consistent and free indeed. I have been given the gift of health and free choice. With God’s help, I am empowered to choose wisely and commit to following through on my intentions – day by day and one workout at a time. I’d love to hear what’s empowering your year my friends. Please share. 💕

New Year’s Intentions Not Goals

13 Jan 2020 Leave a comment

by Lori in Health and Wellness, Running Tags: , , , , , , ,

Ahh January! Breathe in a New Year with all the possibilities, energy, and good intentions. What will we do with it? In fact, what should we? How many times have a new year come and gone and so much of what we thought to do have remained..well, undone. What’s different about this year and how will we mark the onset of a new decade?

So I’ve been thinking maybe it’s time for a change. If we’ve been doing the same thing every year for the past decade with little to no positive results, then we should consider tweaking things a bit in order to get the result we seek. So if neither goals nor resolutions have been working over the years then you might want to think about setting an intention instead, the difference being that an intention is something you plan to do irrespective of the outcome while a goal is something you hope to achieve. Small word change yes? But some argue that it’s more mental, intentional, and logical and can result in successful outcomes. According to business blog Inc., by building on your intentions first, you set the path in your mind. Goals can be seen as a milestone or milestones along that path. For example, I might determine to do an Ironman this year and have a goal of finishing in say 10 hours (slightly ambitious for a newbie I think). I may or may not fall short but you know what, I intend to complete it anyway, time notwithstanding. See in this example, the goal seems stressful to me (10 hours!) but my intention, while challenging sure, is pretty exciting.

Setting intentions are simple and stress-free. You can determine to take a new step forward – beginning with your thoughts. After all, it’s right there that the very first seeds of intent are planted.

In fact, I’ve gotten a jump on this whole setting an intention thing and have been on it since last month when I set one practical and one spiritual intention. It’s important to me that I remain healthy, get healed, and grow spiritually and intellectually this year so I went ahead and set my intentions to ensure this, as much as I can anyway. With that in mind, I’m spending the first couple months of the year in PT for my knees and taking a step back from running. While I’m not giving it up entirely, I’m hoping one to two short runs per week will be acceptable and that modified movements at the gym, to keep the stress off my knees, will help the healing process along.

On the practical (physical and adventuresome) side, I intend to finish a Sprint Triathlon this year and while I’ve been thinking to do one in April, I’m debating, with my knees in recovery, if that’s too soon. I’ll make a final decision in about two weeks. I’ve also decided on just one marathon this year (unbelievable I know), which will bring me up to a total of twenty. And no, I’m not ruling out more running, I’m just putting healing first and allowing my body to lead the way. My Spiritual journey, on the other hand, is a process I’m fully engaged in and embracing as an opportunity to develop and overflow into the other areas of my life. I’ve also embraced the idea of learning a new skill to help with a business idea.

So far, so great! Challenging but not stressful. 2020 is looking good and we’re feeling positive and purposeful; that’s a very important foot to step out on. Next steps are pretty straightforward, there is really only one strategy that will work to see those intentions through: daily reminders to myself and consistent effort turning the wheels of progress each day. Some days will require a lot more effort than others, but I believe that each day dedicated to following through on my plans and completing it will be exciting, challenging, and ultimately rewarding.

Here’s to an exciting, challenging, rewarding, [and some fun running too] 2020! 🥂🏃‍♀️✨

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