For many years, I have done a “Goals” list.

It used to include such things as weight loss, buying a piece of furniture, or whatever my mind desired at the time.

Through the years, as with most things, it seems to have matured.

This past November, my list included just 3 things.

1. A lofty business goal.

2. To run my first marathon.

3. To Live. In the moment. To be fully present.

I figured I had this year’s list locked down.

I mean, I know how to run my real estate business very well, I started running 6 months before the actual marathon….now I just need to figure out how to let go and live.

Little did I know that a few months in, I would begin training for what could be the most mentally challenging year of my life.

For those who know me, you know I don’t do well with change.

As a child, there was just too much uncertainty. So as I have aged, that is something I decided to control…my surroundings and day to day life.

I’d say I had a pretty damn good routine until recently.

I thought I had control.

I can’t speak for you, but for me, one of the most frightening aspects of this virus and quarantine is the uncertainty.

When will it hit?

Who could it take from me?

How bad will it be?

When will it end?

So much freaking uncertainty.

…And, I really have no control over any of it.

Without control over my environment, my routine and my health….I flipped out last week.

What will I do?

How will I continue to live my life without KNOWING what tomorrow will bring???

And then I opened my devotional…..Jesus Calling. I’ve referred to this little book for many, many years.

Through the fears of my children leaving the nest, to my Dad’s passing, health scares… and just those days when you want to cry.

You know, the days you wake up and just feel off? Even on the darkest days, His message has brought me so much PEACE.

And so last week, on a very dreary day, I opened it up again…only to be met with a message so loud, I knew it was meant for me.

Our Lord is with us, in every way.

Waiting for you to come to Him, holding out His hands to offer you comfort and peace.

He is a constant.

He is the calm in this storm.

I realized that day that the ONLY certainty I have is Him.

We all have had experiences in our lives that have been eye opening.

Those “ah ha” moments when you just know something bigger than you has either moved you or blocked your way.

Growing up, I had many.

He was with me every step of the way.

For me to forget that, to doubt it, to retract in fear of what I’m walking into….well, that’s not an option.

So, I decided to rearrange my spring training schedule a bit.

I won’t focus on building muscle, but mental strength. I’ll go through my memories into times that I overcame. I’ll stack those up one by one, as if I’m layering my foundation….because I am.

I won’t stress about timing or how long things will take. I’ll just LIVE for today, like I should be anyway. I’ll listen to the birds. I’ll call family and friends. I’ll slow down my pace and continue to work on my breath and my inner peace.

I’ll keep my eyes laser focused on Him and I won’t let the fears, media, statistics, or stories block the way to my goals.

I’ll trust the process and enjoy the ride.

I’ve got this amazing “tour guide“ who has promised me He will never leave my side. ♥️

Take your thoughts out of what was and put your heart into what will be.

They say it takes 21 days to break a habit….I’m tearing down my walls and allowing Him to rebuild me.

Are you ready for a renovation??

Be safe, strong(in all ways), and begin your “Spring Training” with the best coach ever…. today.

He has a foolproof playbook, friends.

And best of all?

He knows the way…..

Much love,

Linda ❤️

If you look beyond the wrinkles on my face and wind blown hair, you’ll see LIFE.

As I finished off my run today, this older couple was at the end, enjoying a picnic lunch, in their winter gear.

I’m glad the run was over because this image stopped me in my tracks.

They are LIVING…..in spite of it all.

In the midst of the fears, the unknowns, the media hype (that has all but shut our cities down), they showed up today.

They showed up to make a memory.

To smile and laugh.

And to live another day.

So did many others that I passed on the trail. Runners, people walking their dogs, and many others out and about enjoying the sun and another day of life.

I get it, friends.

We have to be cautious, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop living or making memories.

These are gifts!

Freely given to each one of us.

Instead of sitting inside, getting bogged down by Facebook rumors, the news, and preparing for it all to end…..go outside!!

It’s free.

It’s safe.

And it is a beautiful reminder of how good life truly is.

This is a bump in the road…it’s not a dead end.

As I ran this morning, some thoughts entered my head.

I wonder what would happen if we all stopped hoarding items, running around wildly like prey being chased, and started remembering how strong we all are?

Now don’t get me wrong, be proactive in your health and be prepared.

But please try to remember some basics in the midst of the chaos.

You can be part of the problem or…part of the solution. That is only for each of us to decide.

Let me share a story of preparation from my past.

When I was growing up, as a child of an alcoholic home, I never knew what to expect. I never knew what to be afraid of…or what could happen next.

So I decided to cover all bases and be prepared for anything.

I learned this through experiences.

There’s one night in particular that stands out in my mind and makes me think of our world today.

In 6th grade, I went to bed one ordinary night.

I wasn’t thinking anything bad would occur.

Now keep in mind, it was 20 or 30 below that night, as it was the middle of winter.

My parents had been drinking and fighting and my Dad came upstairs. He woke me up and told me to leave!

It’s the middle of the night and winter! I was scared, but he persisted so I went.

I had time to find my boots, throw my winter coat over my pajamas and go. I ended up hunkering down in the old family car….for hours.

I’m not going to lie and tell you I wasn’t cold.

It was brutal.

After a while I began to wonder how I could stay warm or what I should do. I got out and ran…yes ran…around the block of my neighborhood, to stay warm.

And it helped.

💥Taking action to control myself in a unknown situation calmed me. 💥

After a few hours had passed, I noticed the lights were out(so they must have gone to bed) and I snuck back in.

Before even going back to sleep that night, I found an extra backpack and packed it full of extra food(kipper snacks and crackers to be exact), an extra set of mittens and some cash.

I began preparing by putting my coat in my bedroom closet each day after school…and I always slept with my boots next to my bed.

💥I was proactive and prepared. 💥

Therefore, my father’s unexpected behavior became less and less scary to me each time.

Fear loses its power when we take back control over ourselves.

Remember that.

Fear and faith can NOT be in the same room together.

So whether you believe in God, Jesus, the universe, or nothing at all….get your head in order.

And please calm the FUCK down.

This is life…here… now…and you don’t have any control over that.

You can’t put in your planner who will or won’t get sick.

You can’t let the virus know when it works best in your schedule for it to arrive or manifest how it will change your environment.

So again, I implore each of you… take back YOUR Power.

The POWER inside of you 🦋

It’s just waiting to be unleashed.

And, friends…..One more important thing….

After you finish reading this…put down your phone !!!!

Go outside and breath in the fresh air God has given us today.

Play ball with your kids before they grow up!

Take that beautiful dog for a walk.

Smile and remember to LIVE……

In spite of it all🌈

Follow me on Facebook or Instagram…My blogs are meant to empower, embrace, and help all emerge from whatever is holding you back from being the most powerful YOU.

Sending you so much love and joy.

Linda ♥️