If you read my blog you are aware that I am starting a happiness club sort of speak for 2013. This club will actually be reading "The Happiness Project" and developing ways to make their lives more happier.
First things first...In order to be happy you have to set out a list of things that are important and for you to remember.....call them commandments. These commandments will guide and help you with all the new resolutions you make each month.
All 21 of my commandments are important to me but some I have failed to follow over the years. Most of these commandments I need a lot of work on....this is one reason why I want to do my own happiness project for a full year. I have forgotten/failed over the years to be the person who I have always wanted to be. My hope is that I can follow my commandments and by the end of 2013 I will live a fuller, happier life....after all who doesn't want that!
Kathy's 21 Commandments
1. Mission I'm Possible
2. Lead by example
3. Notice the colors
4. Talk to strangers
5. Pay it forward
6. Reach out
7. Say NO first
8. Play more
9. Be Grateful
10. Hate is a strong word...Love without boundaries
11. Be simply amazing
12. Laugh without control and never stop smiling
13. Don't wait till tomorrow
14. Hands folded works better than fingers crossed.
15. Keep my heart open but hide the key for the right one
16. Forgive myself and others as soon as possible
17. Let it Be....Let it Go
18. Leave a new trail
19. Believe
20. Achieve
21. Be ME
I am very excited to start this group!! I know I will learn from others commandments and goals towards a happier life!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Looking back on 2012
In just a few weeks there will be a new year. With the new year brings a lot of new hope, dreams and goals. I can't go forward without looking backwards, so this blog will be all about everything I accomplished in 2012.
2012 has been a HUGE year of achievements, adventure and growth for me. I will take every lesson I have learned with me into 2013 because those lessons have made me a person that is stronger, wiser and healthier. There were times that I felt that the world was against me but I didn't let those moments bring me down. I stood tall and moved forward just like I will move forward into this new year.
What this year has taught me is that we all have a choice...and that choice is to get busy living or get busy doing nothing. My choice of course was to get busy living! Here are some wonderful pictures of things I accomplished over the year.
I got to see many great friends on this trip! Jane, Chris, Corinne and Mike made the first month of 2012 a big hit!
St. Petersburg Half Marathon
One of my big goals this year was to run in a sports bra! I finally was able to do it at a race in St. Petersburg, Florida. My second goal was to beat my Dad in a race! This too was the race where I was able to do just that! I beat Dad by 15 minutes and set a new PR 2:05 minutes for 13.1! Sorry Dad better luck next time! :)
My friend Lish's wedding! All these silly girls are my High School friends. Of course the bride didn't make the picture! I love these girls.
Can't forget to add Louie into the mix. He is still a great active healthy dog. I want to kill him some days but I love this dog more than anything. He is a real clown....always able to make me smile when I feel like all I want to do is cry.
I wish for everyone who reads this message to take with them into the
new year the lessons they have learned and to let them make you a better
person than what you were. It is a new day, a new year. Everyone gets a
fresh start to begin again.
Watch out 2013
2012 has been a HUGE year of achievements, adventure and growth for me. I will take every lesson I have learned with me into 2013 because those lessons have made me a person that is stronger, wiser and healthier. There were times that I felt that the world was against me but I didn't let those moments bring me down. I stood tall and moved forward just like I will move forward into this new year.
What this year has taught me is that we all have a choice...and that choice is to get busy living or get busy doing nothing. My choice of course was to get busy living! Here are some wonderful pictures of things I accomplished over the year.
January
Jan 12th Tough Mudder Phoenix
Jan 13th Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon
I wanted to start 2012 with one of the toughest challenges of my life! I wanted to complete not only my first Tough Mudder but I wanted to follow it up with running a half marathon the next day. I finished both races with complete success! I got my first head orange head band and got to run in my very first Rock 'n' Roll race....LOVED every single minute of it. But the challenge didn't just stop after I crossed the finish line of the 1/2 marathon....I decided that jumping on a plane within 2 hours after finishing the race was a smart idea. It was worth the rush because I was able to see beautiful California and my long time buddy Mike.
Jan 12th Tough Mudder Phoenix
Jan 13th Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon
I wanted to start 2012 with one of the toughest challenges of my life! I wanted to complete not only my first Tough Mudder but I wanted to follow it up with running a half marathon the next day. I finished both races with complete success! I got my first head orange head band and got to run in my very first Rock 'n' Roll race....LOVED every single minute of it. But the challenge didn't just stop after I crossed the finish line of the 1/2 marathon....I decided that jumping on a plane within 2 hours after finishing the race was a smart idea. It was worth the rush because I was able to see beautiful California and my long time buddy Mike.
February
February I wanted to take a step back and relax. I wanted to focus on my diet, waistline and of course myself. I gave myself the best birthday gift ever...Lasik eye surgery!
February I wanted to take a step back and relax. I wanted to focus on my diet, waistline and of course myself. I gave myself the best birthday gift ever...Lasik eye surgery!
March
St. Petersburg Half Marathon
One of my big goals this year was to run in a sports bra! I finally was able to do it at a race in St. Petersburg, Florida. My second goal was to beat my Dad in a race! This too was the race where I was able to do just that! I beat Dad by 15 minutes and set a new PR 2:05 minutes for 13.1! Sorry Dad better luck next time! :)
April
Ohio Tough Mudder
April was all about my second and third Tough Mudder. I decided that I wanted to complete two mudders in one weekend. Ohio's Tough Mudder was so much fun! I met a lot of awesome friends at this race. The race of course was super hard because it was so cold and I got shocked 8 times on one obstacle but I was able to get my second and third headband!
Ohio Tough Mudder
April was all about my second and third Tough Mudder. I decided that I wanted to complete two mudders in one weekend. Ohio's Tough Mudder was so much fun! I met a lot of awesome friends at this race. The race of course was super hard because it was so cold and I got shocked 8 times on one obstacle but I was able to get my second and third headband!
May
Commit to be Fit 1/2 Marathon
Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon
I decided again to do another back to back race. I loved challenging myself to big weekends like that. It really made training hard but it gave me much more...it made me realize if you put your heart and soul into something that anything is possible. Weekends like this has allowed me to feel strong, blessed and simply amazing. This weekend I was able to run a half marathon with one of my best friends Lindsay Groom. After the race I jumped into a car with my two beautiful cousins to head to Pittsburgh to walk my very first half marathon. I am so blessed by all the active people that are in my life! Even more blessed to be able to be right beside all three girls when they got their very first 13.1 medals! Accomplish is the best way to describe this weekend!
Commit to be Fit 1/2 Marathon
Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon
I decided again to do another back to back race. I loved challenging myself to big weekends like that. It really made training hard but it gave me much more...it made me realize if you put your heart and soul into something that anything is possible. Weekends like this has allowed me to feel strong, blessed and simply amazing. This weekend I was able to run a half marathon with one of my best friends Lindsay Groom. After the race I jumped into a car with my two beautiful cousins to head to Pittsburgh to walk my very first half marathon. I am so blessed by all the active people that are in my life! Even more blessed to be able to be right beside all three girls when they got their very first 13.1 medals! Accomplish is the best way to describe this weekend!
My friend Lish's wedding! All these silly girls are my High School friends. Of course the bride didn't make the picture! I love these girls.
June
Phat Camp with Jen Hendershock
Indiana Tough Mudder
I was able to run with some really awesome people at this race. Roxanne, Corinne, Justin, Jay and Erin were all teammates in this adventure. The picture below is of the flag that my friend Jay carries during all his Tough Mudders. I was honored to run next to this real soldier...a TRUE Hero.
This race for me was super hard...I had to over come my fear of getting shocked. Ohio's TM ruined me. I cried a little and even told myself to walk around obstacles...HOWEVER, I did the obstacles because I am tired of fear holding my life back. This race made me realize that life has a lot of obstacles but you have to believe in yourself to overcome them. I will allow nothing to hold me back in my life now!
Phat Camp with Jen Hendershock
Indiana Tough Mudder
I was able to run with some really awesome people at this race. Roxanne, Corinne, Justin, Jay and Erin were all teammates in this adventure. The picture below is of the flag that my friend Jay carries during all his Tough Mudders. I was honored to run next to this real soldier...a TRUE Hero.
This race for me was super hard...I had to over come my fear of getting shocked. Ohio's TM ruined me. I cried a little and even told myself to walk around obstacles...HOWEVER, I did the obstacles because I am tired of fear holding my life back. This race made me realize that life has a lot of obstacles but you have to believe in yourself to overcome them. I will allow nothing to hold me back in my life now!
July
Kenny Chesney with my family and friends in Cincy. I was able to stand on the Bengals field while listening to some AWESOME country music.
Color Run with my friends from Wapak and friends from Cbus. This race was a lot of fun because I was able to inspire others to try a 5k! I was so proud of all my friends for their hard work and dedication to train for this event. I know it isn't easy but they all did it...maybe not loving it but they finished! This is one reason why I love running because anyone can do it :)
VEGAS-I was able to go to Vegas for the first time in my life. It was such a fun trip...the Crabtree's were wonderful host. I got to hike Red Rocks, run to the famous sign, gamble and ride a bull! Five days in Vegas didn't kill me! The party police had a lot of fun.... best part of Vegas is dressing up every single night and the awesome swimming pools!
Kenny Chesney with my family and friends in Cincy. I was able to stand on the Bengals field while listening to some AWESOME country music.
Color Run with my friends from Wapak and friends from Cbus. This race was a lot of fun because I was able to inspire others to try a 5k! I was so proud of all my friends for their hard work and dedication to train for this event. I know it isn't easy but they all did it...maybe not loving it but they finished! This is one reason why I love running because anyone can do it :)
VEGAS-I was able to go to Vegas for the first time in my life. It was such a fun trip...the Crabtree's were wonderful host. I got to hike Red Rocks, run to the famous sign, gamble and ride a bull! Five days in Vegas didn't kill me! The party police had a lot of fun.... best part of Vegas is dressing up every single night and the awesome swimming pools!
August
Woot! This might be my favorite month of the year!!! Finally....I got my second Masters degree in Health Education. It took me two years to get this awesome piece of paper!!!!!! I was so excited to not have to do homework any more! :)
Woot! This might be my favorite month of the year!!! Finally....I got my second Masters degree in Health Education. It took me two years to get this awesome piece of paper!!!!!! I was so excited to not have to do homework any more! :)
September
Angela was able to come watch me in action at one of my field trips. This canoeing field trip was perfect! The weather was amazing and the kids all did so wonderful.
Went to Buckeyes Game with Lindsay. Buckeyes won... O H I O
October
Zac Brown Band Concert
So much fun hanging out with my brother, soon to be sister-in-law Mandie and my buddy Heidi.
Second Columbus Full Marathon
Best day of the year! I finished without walking with a time of 4:45. I ran 8 of the 26.2 miles alone...boy it was hard but I did it! I was able to run with my Dad, my cousin Diana and two of my friends. I love having people in my life that love fitness just as much as I do! Everyone finished and we were all able to walk the next day!
Angela was able to come watch me in action at one of my field trips. This canoeing field trip was perfect! The weather was amazing and the kids all did so wonderful.
Went to Buckeyes Game with Lindsay. Buckeyes won... O H I O
October
Zac Brown Band Concert
So much fun hanging out with my brother, soon to be sister-in-law Mandie and my buddy Heidi.
Second Columbus Full Marathon
Best day of the year! I finished without walking with a time of 4:45. I ran 8 of the 26.2 miles alone...boy it was hard but I did it! I was able to run with my Dad, my cousin Diana and two of my friends. I love having people in my life that love fitness just as much as I do! Everyone finished and we were all able to walk the next day!
November
Nashville
Another awesome trip! This trip was full of laughs and sweet! Corinne Crabtree made sure of that! I loved visiting with my Nashville friends and loved meeting the ladies from Healthy Holy Ladies. I can't wait to go back to run the 1/2 Marathon in April!
Nashville
Another awesome trip! This trip was full of laughs and sweet! Corinne Crabtree made sure of that! I loved visiting with my Nashville friends and loved meeting the ladies from Healthy Holy Ladies. I can't wait to go back to run the 1/2 Marathon in April!
December
December is all about training for Goofy. A lot of back to back long runs and a lot of running alone. Can't wait till Disney
December is all about training for Goofy. A lot of back to back long runs and a lot of running alone. Can't wait till Disney
Watch out 2013
Friday, November 30, 2012
Motivational Friday
Running fills my life with a lot of pain and aches but what I get from it minimizes all those negative things. Running fills me with memories from the past, it allows me to be in the present and mostly it helps me focus on my future. Running isn't just about me trying to achieve a healthy life...it is about me digging deep to achieve much more.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
The Happiness Project Club
Happiness comes in so many shapes and forms. Happiness is what really completes people! After all don't we all want to live a life full of laughter, smiles and just plain joy? I been searching for my own happiness for sometime. I started going to a Therapist in hopes that she may have the answer to what is causing me to be what I thought was my own unhappiness.
I tried to dig deep into my own happiness project. I started pushing myself to go out of my confront zone and into a new world where I hoped would be the answer to my unhappiness. I started doing projects...remodeled the kitchen, purged my bedroom, painted some pots. I started writing letters to friends that I love and care about...to let them know how much they have impacted my life. I started to listen to me, instead of following everyone's vision of happiness. I stopped drinking and started living a healthier happier life. I started to let my walls slowly come down and forgive myself for things I have done in the past. I start going to church and praying....
Did the things above make me happier and take away my definition of unhappiness? The answer is a confusing one but one I completely understand. I never really was unhappy but felt unhappy at times... I have always found the positive in many things going on in my life and continue to do so. I just kept and still keep chasing after a different kind of happiness the kind of happiness that radiates from my skin, the kind that makes terrible days not so terrible.
Who wouldn't want that kind of happiness? I think in a way we all are chasing our own defination of complete happiness! We all want to live a life where pain and sadness doesn't exist. Fact is life is hard but it is what we do with the cards we were given that can make us happy. My Dad has always told me that money doesn't buy you happiness. He is so right! You can find happiness just sitting in a park watching your dog play or having dinner with amazing friends.
So why am I telling you about this? Because I want you to join in the club! I want all of you to chase your definition of happiness or reveal that you really are truly happy already. My goal is to get a group of people to do just that!!! A book club or better yet a Happiness Club!
What you will need to do? First, buy the book "The Happiness Project." Read the Getting Started and Chapter 1 before Jan or starting on Jan 1st. Start a journal to write ideas down. Each month you will try to do something to help make your definition of happiness come true or just a little clearer. We will read a new chapter each month and report on our own finding of how we feel and what we did. So simple right! One year to hopefully make you feel more alive and happier!
Who is with me? If you are interested in joining the "Happiness Club" email me at katmorgan2004@yahoo.com Let's start 2013 out with a resolution that is worth finishing...
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
44 Days away
44 Days away till I completely go Goofy, crazy and even a little insane. The more I think about this crazy adventure I set out to do....the more convinced I have indeed lost my mind! The training for this race is HARD and has been hard since the Columbus Marathon....The weather is colder and I am running all my long runs alone.
My mind plays tricks on me when I am not running with someone else. Probably because the only person you can talk to for 3 hours is in fact yourself. I normally am really good at not listening to negative chatter in my head but during my last couple long runs I have struggled to silent the voices. When you are alone for 16 miles you have a lot of time to think....I think about EVERYTHING. I think about my journey, my weight, my family, my friends, my future, my job, money, men, dogs, food (I think about food a lot) the list goes on and on.
I have came up with ways to become rich, solve world piece and how to change my life for the better. This running thing is what helps me solve my problems and to really look deep into why I do the things I do. Running is a free Therapy Session with myself.....I have solved a lot of problems by just lacing up my shoes.
I do not like when the negative talk starts creeping into my runs. When that happens I start thinking about all the stress, sadness and pain that I been hiding. It comes pouring out of my sweat and eventually comes out in tears. I cry a lot when I am out on the open road alone because I am able to release all the things I been covering up. When you try to be positive all the time, the negative has to come out somehow....it normally for me is my super long runs 13+ and at times during long Yoga sessions.
No matter how much I hate those moments when I do listen to the negative chatter and the tears do fall....I ALWAYS feel so much better afterwards. I don’t know what it is about being outside pounding the pavement, but it releases the most incredible rush of endorphins that provides me with an energy boost and a mood lift simultaneously!
So I will continue the journey.....44 more long days to go. I have two 20 milers coming up in the next week or so. I know those runs will be hard for me but I look forward to them so I can allow myself to get away from life for a few hours.
Sometimes its good to remind ourselves of what we LOVE about our life and to know that for those not-so-good times….well, they’ll eventually pass. If not.... I will keep running till those moments go away.
And for right now – I’m plowing ahead full force. It’s the only way I know how too.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Thankful Thursday
So I have decided to join the Thankful November train. It is nice to think about the gifts I have in my life instead of the things I don't have or wish I had. So each Thursday in November I will express the wonderful things I DO have in my life!
1. My Big Family
My sisters are two of the most amazing, strong women I have in my life. They both value education, family and wine! I have looked up to them since the day I came into this world...and continue to look to them for advice. My brothers are my protectors...the ones who always have my back. My brothers turned me into a tomboy and made me the athlete I am today. Without our parents we wouldn't have this crazy big family!! I just love them :)
2. My race friends.
I been blessed to get to know people all over the world. Racing friends are the best kinds of friends to have!! They are there for you at some of your weakest moments...they help you climb over walls that you might encounter during the race and during training.
3. My red head child.
Louie came into my life when I needed him most. I can always count on Louie...he is always here for me. This red head has made my tears turn into smiles...and my running shoes into toys. It is crazy to think of a dog as a best friend...but he is my BFF!
4. Nature
I love traveling all over to see amazing views like this. Nature just completes me :) That is probably why I love running so much!
5. Standing OUT
I am not afraid to stand out and do crazy things. Why would I be thankful for this? Because I am different!!! Being like everyone else is BORING!
6. My Garmin
This my friends is something I am very thankful for! When i didn't have this watch I had NO clue how fast I was running or how far I have been....my Garmin is probably one of the most important training tools of mine.
7. Disney
I LOVE everything about Disney....but what I love most is how Walt never stopped dreaming of this amazing place. He turned a mouse into a paradise! I can't wait to run the Goofy Challenge in this magical place!!!!! I know I will come home full of hope and inspiration to believe that my dreams too can come true!
8. Shakeology
This shake has allowed me to step away from sweets because I get a chocolate masterpiece every single day. Shakeology has made me healthier both inside and out... :)
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Daily requirement
I don't think I even have to comment on this one! Make Exercise part of your daily routine.
Exercise your right to VOTE today! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)