Brisk Walking

Starting the run with a pose

I joined a fun run for a cause last early Sunday morning. It was entitled "Dalagan Para sa Katigulangan" (Running for the Aged). The proceeds will go to the Home for the Aged.

It was not the person who invited me, but the cause for the said activity, was really the reason that made me decided to join the run. I went with my two officemates and a friend. It was my first time to run and walked three kilometers long, and with a new pace. I mean, faster than I do ever since I started walking as an exercise. When I was young, my reason for walking was budget. I walked home from school everyday. It is no longer now. I have to walk because I need to. For health reason.  I prefer walking than brisk walking because I want to avoid perspiring even if I know it is necessary to sweat. Silly me. Also, I hate having short of breath and I do so when I walk fast. So I would walk with my own slower pace.

But that day, I felt different. We run slowly at first and brisk walked all the way to  the finish line. To my surprise, I didn't feel any short of breath. I sweat a lot. I felt good. I enjoyed walking with the pace of the sexy woman beside me who is a decade older than me.

I was inspired by her. She's half a century old and could walk faster than I do. Most woman I see of her age doesn't look as fit as her.  I told myself, when I reach this woman's age, I want to be as sexy and healthy as she is, mind and body.

It was not merely water that I sweat while walking. I sweated all the negative energies that was stored in my body for months now. It was an answered prayer to me. It took that event to make me realized a lot of things which I have momentarily forgotten.

My mission, my dreams, my spiritual and physical health and etc., but most importantly my focus.

It really troubled me and made me felt bad a few weeks ago.  One time I even wondered what is my purpose here on earth. Why do I meet all these people now? Why do I do what I do now. Why I am here?  ... and et se te ra...

Alas! It was just as easy as that. Sweating it out!

And yes....! To achieve even half of the things the woman I run with, I have to take action. I have to move higher or level up. To do more that I usually do. Take more risk. Be lazy no more. Avoid delays but take action.

To start with, I decided to walk again the next weekend. This time it will be

BRISK WALKING!

  ---- even without  a cause....!

  ---- even alone....!

Ralph, Neil, Sandra, Bea after the race.

One thing I didn't write. These ladies were the FIRST --- to the last.

Failure Isn't God's Rejection but God's Redirection

This is a blog post from a famous writer and preacher more than a year ago. Tonight, I read half of it again. Even if I know the story. I just want to read it again and again and be inspired again and again. Just like tonight.

This articles was really helpful to me. I didn't put this in a folder in my email. I deliberately retained this in my inbox so I would be reminded always and be able to read it easily.

I felt the need for me to read this now.

The story is about how eagles train their babies to fly. For me it was so cruel. If I would be the child, I would really hate my mother to death. She seems to have no feeling at all. It's like I am not her child. We suddenly became strangers from each other. So with my father. They treat me so unjustly. After treating me so kind and tenderly, all of a sudden they become like monsters. Exposing me to danger and almost killed me!

The story ends like this:

They cry out, “Mommy, why are you killing us? What have we done?” But they barely are able to catch their breath, when Mommy pushes them out again.

This death-defying, terrifying ordeal is repeated seven to eight times until the Eaglets get the message—and start flapping their wings.

       Soon, they’re soaring on top of the clouds with their proud parents beside them.     
      
This is exactly what happens when God teaches us how to fly. But I am forgetting about it.

 I am scared. I thought I know how to fly already. I thought I was brave. I thought I can face the consequences of my decision. But I think I'm starting to regret it.

I feel sad. I feel rejected again. I am hurt. I know, I am doing this for a better cause. However for now, I just wanted to grieve with my decision.

Did I make the wrong choice? Did I make the wrong decision?

I know what I should do.

Change focus.

Focus on Jesus!

But I can't do it yet. Maybe starting tomorrow.

When I decide to start flying again and follow God's redirection.