Feeling a Bit Philosophical Today

Well, the Boston Marathon is a month away, and I'm deep into the hardest training weeks. I'm following the program pretty closely, but I find myself worrying about my performance.

Truly, not surprising. I can ruin almost anything by worrying about the outcome instead of focusing on the doing. In sports, they call it "choking," and I've done more than my share of that.

So, I'm doing it again. How fast will I run this? Can I break 3 hours (ha, ha, ha)? Did I do enough training? What else can I do before the race? What if it's windy? What should I be eating? Should I get to the gym more? What if I screw this up?

While contemplating this, as well as general life questions -- including taking the Center to the next level, Robert and Katherine's college careers, home renovation plans and the stock market, I found myself wishing that I knew exactly what to do. I wanted to know the future and make the perfect plan.

Then, it hit me.

All of Life is NOT the Outcome -- It's the Process.

I know, I know. You've heard it before. Yes, I've heard it before. Life's a Journey. Enjoy the challenge. It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game (now, I think that does not refer to playing fair -- I think it refers to reveling in the challenge presented and enjoying the experience regardless of the results.)

It's very Zen like.

But, like everything else, you don't actually hear good advice until you're ready to hear that advice.

This simple thought all makes sense, by definition. If you think about "life," it's what we do everyday, from now until ... the outcome (which is the same for everybody . . .). And, what we do is always changing, since our circumstances are continually changing.

We should enjoy it, the change, the movement, the uncertainty, for that is our "life."

I met a gentleman the other day. It was a chance encounter, but we had many interests, beliefs and circumstances in common. I believe we can help each other move forward in this world, although I really don't know if our paths will cross again.

But the encounter gave me hope for, among other things, the plans I have for the future expansion of the Center.

Life's like that, if you keep your eyes open.

I'll be ready for Boston. It'll be what it should be for me -- an extraordinary experience. And, if I surprise myself? All the better.