Just finished my Daily Dez 4.3 mile Jaunt and it was AWESOME! The past two days were fraught with 40's, low 50's temps. Super blustery winds between 25mph and 45mph, some gusts even a bit higher.
And needless to say I was forced to wear 6 (count 'em... SIX) shirts as well as the 'all too brutal' long pants. Definitely not the norm.
Today was a whole new ballgame. Temps in the low 70's, very light breeze. ONE (NOT 6) Day-Glo microfiber T-shirt, shorts, sunglasses and my trusty Teva sandals.
Just another magical mid November day in the Dez. Easy to be grateful on a day like today.
Day 2 ~ Unexpected Greetings
Another epic day of weather with shorts, sandals and a T-shirt being the uniform of the day. And yes, once again my Daily Desert Jaunt is my focus. But today, today was a bit different.
Usually the only things to 'greet' me on my journey are the barking dogs and the random coyote or two. But as I mentioned, today was anything but normal. As I rounded one of the many turns, off in the distance I heard one of the 'regular' dogs barking from behind a fence. A dog I've heard bark many times before.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, I suddenly heard a faint voice saying "Hello... hello..." and as I looked down the long dirt driveway I saw the source of the greetings. Turns out it was a woman, waving at me, while sitting in one of those electric Powerchair dealio's. Not exactly a wheelchair but similar.
So I waved back. We exchanged a couple pleasantries about the amazing weather, etc. and I was once again on my way. After all, didn't want my heart rate to drop, gotta keep those calories burnin'.
But as I continued on my journey, my focus changed from the weather to just how grateful I was to not only have legs that allowed me to make the most of my daily journeys. But eyes and ears as well, all working to help make the most out of an awesome day.
Day 3 ~ My MOJO
Today was one of those days where nothing in particular really jumped out at me. Nothing new and unusual to be grateful for. That's not to say I couldn't find something to be grateful for but I was hoping to relate each days post to something that happened that same day. And today just wasn't that way. At least not at the start anyway.
Nope, today's 'reason' is bigger than that. In fact it's rather stupendous in a game changer kinda way. Simple as it sounds, I found something that unfortunately has been majorly missing from my life. For quite some time now. Like years kinda time.
Matter of fact, I had almost lost all hope of getting it back. Almost. A few months ago I was finally able to admit to myself that it appeared as if it was back. And it was real. I do believe I finally found my MOJO again. And boy have I missed it.
Like a long lost friend you never thought you'd see again, my get up 'n' go had all but deserted me. But my MOJO's back and I couldn't be happier. I admit I'm one of those people that needs that spark to get me goin' and the flame had all but burned itself out.
So today I'm happy to celebrate the 'official' return of my MOJO. Welcome home Mr. Mojo, I missed ya bud. Now, let's get things back on track!
Day 4 ~ My Journey Of Sobriety
Today was..... well, today was another one of those days where I had planned on something jumping out at me right off the bat. Something new and different that I could post as todays reason to be grateful. But once again, that didn't happen.
Yet, for some reason this 'reason' has been looming overhead seemingly all day long. And good or bad, it's kinda been my 'default' reason for quite some time now. Matter of fact, for about the past 9 years, 3 months, 2 weeks, 3 days, 11 hours and 40 minutes. Give or take a minute or two but after all, who's counting.
Well, I guess when it comes down to it, I am. I'm counting. Yes, embarrassing as it may be, it's still a pretty big deal to me. I'm actually really proud of myself. Truly never thought I could pull it off.
And while some people tend to look down on me for it, as if in my search for sobriety I've somehow lost my "funability", my ability to enjoy life. Well, that's on them. They couldn't be any more wrongerer if they tried.
Nope, I can still have tons of fun, still mingle with the best of 'em. It's just that I've discovered that I don't have to slur my words and make a damn fool of myself to have fun.
So here's to 9 Years plus of totally dedicated, unedited, sobriety. GO ME! And to anyone else out there battling with it, keep on keepin' on. Life gets better every day.
Day 5 ~ A New Day
Today was rather interesting. Interesting in the fact that I pretty much knew almost as soon as I opened my eyes what I would pick as my Day 5 'reason' to be grateful. The first 4 days have been more of a smorgasbord of randomness, whereas today was more or less decided right from the start.
And although I did run into a couple "also-rans" near the end of the day, they still didn't compare to my initial 'reason'. Now, I willingly admit that I could have had a subliminal hint floating in the background, guiding my thinking. Allow me to explain.
I like 'white noise'. You know, just a hint of some type of noise going on in the distance. A TV on in another room, a radio playing in the background, those types of things. Just a bit of somethin' to break the silence. Complete silence gives my brain, which admittedly NEVER shuts off, too much extra time to think. About anything and everything.
So, if for example, I wake up to let's say the radio playing, that can send me on a path. And sure enough, this morning it's quite possible that's what happened. Every time I hear this particular tune, one of my faves by the way, it reminds me to be grateful that I am indeed one of the lucky ones.
Lucky enough to be able to wake up this morning. To open my eyes. To get out of bed on my own. Heck, to even have a bed to sleep on for that matter.
Basically to make the most of my day. To give life another 'go' as it were. I was given another chance to improve on my yesterday. Even though we have come to expect it, to take it for granted, not all of us are given a 'second chance'. A shot at a new beginning. And so for that, I truly am grateful.
