The HERE and the NOW ;-)

At the end of last week my spiritual practice for the day was to ask myself (preferably once an hour):
"Where am I?" HERE
"What time is it?" NOW


Well, I have been surprised to find peace and comfort with this simple activity. I have enjoyed it so much so, or rather, needed it so much so, that I have not paid as much attention to the spiritual practices that have followed. I am enjoying immensely the more that I ask these questions and respond with HERE and NOW, the more likely it is that in moments of distress these questions and answers just pop into my head. I am aware of the importance of being present, the power of now, etc., those are more like theories to me sometimes however, with these questions I am able to practice. ;-)

There were a few hours on Saturday when I didn't have to ask myself where I was or what time it was. I was very present and aware that I was running in a 5K with wine at the finish line and kicking some serious ass while not bothering to take any names. It was a great BAREFOOT run to say the least!!! Shanna and I finished with our best time yet (25:41) and managed to not make any enemies in the process (no thanks to me). I say that because I have a way of hiding the fact that I am fiercely competitive (at least I think I do) and during the final stretch of our run I started yelling at my girl Shanna that we better damn well beat every single person between us and the finish line. Thanks to my very loud headphones and the fact that at the time hurting anyones feelings meant far less to me than beating them, I'm not sure who could hear me pushing us with my verbal commands. ;-) Anyway, it worked, we beat 'em and Shanna got a friendly handshake from one of our fellow runners/competitors. Shanna also sent in our photo to the birthdayshoes.com site and so I'm feeling a little like a celebrity these days.

I will want to remember the moment forever!!!!

Shanna and Kelly's Vineyard 5K in Vibram Five Fingers Sprints

One last thing. I realize that in talking about my current home where I live HERE and NOW it may come across to those around me that I have a lack of love. I just want to put it out there how grateful I am for this roof over my head and for all the memories I've made and will continue to make in this home. The thought has crossed my mind over the last couple of months that I may be more attached to material "things" in my life than I would prefer. I find myself often referring to my house as "small", "unfinished", I may have even referred to it as a "shit-hole" last week (ouch). After a little soul searching, the possibility of a much bigger (notice I didn't say better) home, I have discovered something about myself. I say those things about my house to avoid/justify the judgements I feel others are making about me and my humble abode. One of those - I'm gonna point out that I know my house it not exactly put back together before someone else has a chance to think it about me first. In actuality, people probably just don't care, or if they do, I really shouldn't. Anyway, just wanted to say I'm not so materialistic afterall. The dangling of the below house in front of my nose - got my attention and even an appointment to walk though - but only a fleeting bit of attention.

Yes, the idea of 3 1/2 acres and triple the size sounds great on the surface. I just realize, I don't need that at this time in my life and refreshingly, I don't want it. Don't get me wrong, there will be a time, hopefully not long from now that it will absolutely be time to move on. I'm not leaving HERE however without showing this home the love it deserves. I believe in what my home has to offer and what it can become and will admit that in the big picture, I could care less that my cabinets are not painted, my backyard is a gigantic mud pit, among many, many other things.