Just for today...

...I am going to tackle my new years list with a realistic attitude.

For me, it's easier to think of life in a smaller sphere of time. When I go running I simply place one foot in front of another. I can't just start running thinking that I will run 20 miles. But I know that I can run 5 miles easily. I will just run 5 mile increments four times. You see, I suffer from (self diagnosed) fourteen-a-phobia. Anytime I have to run a distance farther than fourteen miles I feel fear. I am afraid of many things that might happen during the run but, mostly I fear that I won't be able to finish the distance. A couple of weeks ago I completed a fifteen mile run and the reason I got through it was thinking about taking each mile, one at a time. I went through 'my lucky list', which is where instead of thinking about the physical pain or negative things (ie.; it's too cold to be running, my knees hurt, I am hungry, I can't do this...) I choose to concentrate on the things I am thankful for, like how my AWESOME running coach will be waiting for me with hydration or how I am thankful to have family.... or cheese.

I truely believe that all big things were once something very small. So, this year my list will consist of all things small in hopes that in the end it will have become something much greater. Here is part of my 2009 list:

Just for today I....

will talk less and listen more.
will think before I act.
promise to ignore the person who will cut me off in traffic.
will make a better effort to let the elderly go before me in line at the grocery store.
will ignore the pile of laundry on the floor.
remind myself about the little things in life that really matter.
will laugh at myself.
will pray for someone who is suffering.
call someone just to let them know I was thinking about them.
remind myself that perfection is unobtainable.
try something new.
let go of something old.
pick up litter.
won't text message while driving.
donate my time selflessly.
will sleep in an extra 20 minutes, maybe 25.
make more time for my handsome hubby and my family.
will try to accept the things I cannot change.
am going to stand up for something I believe in.

Just for today, I will not suffer from fourteen-a-phobia.