IT AIN’T ALWAYS PURTY

Over the last couple of months, some things have happened to keep me humble. That is a good thing. I went to Galveston to watch Jim and some other friends compete in a half IronMan competition. However, I was not smart about how I did it. Despite the fact that I knew that it would be hot and sunny eventually, I wore black. I did not stay hydrated because I did not want to have to constantly find and walk to a bathroom. To make a long story short, I ended up in the medical tent after getting overheated. Then a couple of weeks later, I went with Dorie Brannigan (Because We Can Ron Brannigan’s wife) and rode around LaGrange in a golf cart at the halfway point of the MS 150 shaking hands and kissing babies. (I knew I was okay because I did not confuse it and shake babies and kiss hands!) I woke up at 4 in the morning Saturday and had an awesome day, shocking myself that I did not crater at all during the very active day. We went to the finish line in Austin on Sunday. I had not slept well the night before in a tent in LaGrange. Again, I did not properly hydrate or eat. I was just fine in Austin. Really, I was. Until noon. Then I cratered in a big bad ugly way. Last weekend, though, I was smart. Jim, Scott and I participated in the Cinco de Miler 5 mile run in Dallas. Well, Jim and Scott did. I rode for 5 miles in a wheelbarrow pushed by Jim! I had been having some trouble with my walking lately and just did not want to put myself in a position of embarrassing myself by starting a 5 mile walk that I would not be able to finish in time. I had resolved myself that I would be at the finish line to cheer my friends on. When Jim offered to push me all 5 miles in a wheelbarrow, who was I to deprive him of that pleasure! The point of all of this is to remind you of many things we have learned and talked abut here. Be smart! Prepare yourself for and think carefully about whatever you are doing. But most importantly, GET OUT THERE AND DO IT. Over the past three years, there have been many times when it would have been easier to stay and home and avoid the various bad situations I put myself in. But that is NOT living. Plan, be smart and LIVE. Oh, and for goodness sake, KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -Trace

THE UNMISTAKABLE LOOK OF HOPE

I am truly honored and humbled to have been given an opportunity by Tom Gonzalez and the folks at Biogen Idec to speak at a program in Clear Lake last night. When I started this great adventure three years ago (HOLY COW! IT’S BEEN THREE YEARS), my goal was to complete a triathlon without killing myself. Little did I know what amazing things were in store for me. Last night is a perfect example. Although the experience is really universal, I will talk about one person. When she got to the event, she used her walker and the best way that I can describe the way she looked is by using the words tired and on empty. I mean absolutely no disrespect with this description. We have all been there, done that, bought THAT t-shirt. When she came to say goodbye to me before she left, there was an obvious and unmistakable look of hope on her face. That beautiful glint was in her eye. The quality of her life had already, instantly, improved. Mind boggling. This is where the importance of Dreaming Out Loud is so apparent. Think of it as starting a campfire. I mean the old fashioned way and not with a gallon of lighter fluid. It starts with a spark and then, as you fan the flame, move the kindling and work with it, it becomes a full fledged fire. If you just create the spark and leave it untended, the fire will most assuredly never start and the spark will just go out. The gleam of hope in someone’s eye requires work. Not just by the person who is fostering the dream, but by everyone who learns of it. Foster and nurture the dream through positive encouragement. Share in the creation of a beautiful fire. It has been a while since I posted a blog. I have not wanted to rehash old ideas. I wanted to share something new and exciting. That unmistakable look of hope was pretty freakin new and exciting. Just sayin. KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -Trace

A RESOLUTION THAT YOU CAN KEEP!

Make your New Year’s resolution mean something. This year, promise to do something for yourself and others that really matters. Resolve to dream out loud more and resolve to beat a challenge. It does not matter what it is. Make the resolution something that you can achieve and share that with someone else. With many others! By doing so, you create an environment of encouragement! There are no small resolutions. It is my hope that your 2013 is ridiculously amazing. Make it so. You are in control. Keep Dreaming Out Loud! -Trace

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

On behalf of everyone involved with Team Inspiration Texas, I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for every person that has been placed in my life. I am thankful for the environment of encouragement, support and love that they have each shown me. I am thankful for the opportunity that I've been given to help others with and without MS to dream out loud and to create a positive, supportive and encouraging environment in which to live. It is my hope that each and every person who reads this blog will find the courage and strength to fight whatever challenges they face. Start today. Make today ridiculously amazing. What the heck. Throw caution to the wind. Go ahead and make your whole life ridiculously amazing! Happy Thanksgiving and KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -Trace

THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!

Remember the gentleman that I spoke of in my last blog that I met at the Biogen Idec talk that I got to give? Remember that his dream was to be able to be more active with his 3 year old son both now and in the future? Well, I was fortunate enough to go work out with him this morning. As we all do regardless of what our challenge may be, we get scared about not being able to achieve something that we desperately want to achieve. We don't put ourselves in a position where others can support or encourage us. Well, this morning we started him on the road to achieving his dream with some exercises that Trisha and Ryan have given me that I can do not only at the gym, but at home. We have always talked about creating a positive, supportive environment. This not some nebulous, touchy-feely concept. It is very real and I am honored to have witnessed it again this morning. By meeting with my new friend this morning, I not only was able to encourage him, but he encouraged me. We added yet another to our community of support and encouragement. Every time I am fortunate enough to be a part of and witness the dreams of others in action, it makes my own dreams stronger. What an amazing morning. Please please please, KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -Trace

DREAMING OUT LOUD - THE DREAM GROWS!

I was thrilled to be invited by Biogen Idec to speak to a group of 130 MS patients and their families last night. No surprise – the theme of my talk was the importance of dreaming out loud. I asked everyone in the room, both folks with MS and those without, to think of something that they did not believe that they were physically capable of doing. I also asked them to share that dream with someone else at the table... OUT LOUD! I am both honored and humbled by the amazing response that I received last evening! It is my hope that everyone present learned to cast aside fear and doubt and create an environment conducive to success in any endeavor. And to try! One gentleman shared with me that he would like to be able to be more active with his young son. He made the mistake of sending me an email last night, so I will be bugging him incessantly and supporting and encouraging his dream! Everything we have talked about here – dreaming, sharing, the importance of trying and casting aside fear was discussed. A husband and wife, both with MS, shared their dream to become more active together. They will no doubt continue in this quest even stronger now. The dream continues to grow! It is my hope that everyone who reads this blog will share their dreams with someone else, thereby creating an environment of encouragement and support. I am really very overwhelmed with the opportunity that Biogen Idec gave me. It's a good feeling to be able to encourage others and an even more powerful thing to be reminded of my own dreams and once again share them OUT LOUD! KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -Trace

CONFIDENCE

I have not taken a vacation in over ten years. Why you ask? Because I was AFRAID to travel. Afraid of whether I would be able to handle long flights or car trips. Afraid of what traveling would do to my body. Afraid that once I got to my destination, I would be so tired that I would not be able to enjoy myself. I always had an excuse when I was invited somewhere. Well that changed this year. My oldest son, Trevor, had an internship in Spokane, Washington and asked me to spend the weekend with him in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. Now Coeur d' Alene is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Reluctantly (because of fear) I agreed to go. But how many opportunities would I have like this with my sons? The trip was AMAZING. I had no problems whatsoever and we crammed a month's worth of activities in a short time. I was patient with myself and found I was able to do much more than I imagined I could. Imagine what I would have missed out on if I allowed fear to control me and had not been confident. Then this week, Jim asked me to go to The Fray/Kelly Clarkson concert at the Cynthia Mitchell Woods Pavilion here in The Woodlands. For those not familiar with the Woodlands in September ... well IT IS HOT. Rather than decline the invitation (knowing that Jim would see through that) I agreed to go. It was 92 degrees and disgustingly humid. We walked a great deal from the parking lot to the Pavilion and then a LONG way up to the top of the grass where we believed there was a bathroom - just in case. (There was not.) I had a great time and I surprised myself and I think Jim too. Once again the secret is patience and not allowing fear to control you. The point of these ramblings is to NEVER let fear allow you to create artificial limitations. And, truthfully, they are nothing more than artificial limitations. Go enjoy life, and, with knowledge of your limitations and patience, GET OUT THERE! Let me tell you, it sure beats sitting in the house because you are afraid of what MIGHT happen! BE CONFIDENT! Oh, and KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -Trace