Friday, September 23, 2011

SELFISHNESS

There are times when I question whether my time at the gym or on the bike is selfish. Let’s face it. I am spending a LOT of time training these days. Am I neglecting others in doing those things? Am I making them too much of a priority?

There is a HUGE difference between selfishness and SELF-PRESERVATION. Without taking care of myself, I am absolutely worthless to others. If I take care of myself, mentally, physically, spiritually, the things that I can do for others increases exponentially. For example, before I started on this great adventure, I would frequently go to bed extremely early. I really did not have the energy to engage myself in the task of reaching out to others. Now, the opposite is true. I now have a strong desire to reach out and I have the energy to do so. By getting rid of the negatives in my life and finding a way to turn necessary negatives into positives, I can focus on what is important. Helping others. That is not selfishness. That is self-preservation. Big difference.

I would write more but I have to get on the bike!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

YOUR WILDEST DREAMS






Never when I started this great adventure did I have a clue that Team Inspiration would reach out to so many, especially our youth. Last year, I was invited to speak to a group of young leaders at a local high school. This morning, the Blessing continued as I was invited to speak to a group of high school students training for triathlons with Mindy Reich’s SelecTRI the Woodlands. Team Inspiration Texas has been fortunate enough to be in the position to loan three of its bikes to up and coming triathletes.

The message has been the same. First, be and remain active. We never know when we will be afflicted with any illness or disease and being active certainly helps one fight off those challenges. Second, encourage those who, like me, need the support and love of those around us to know that we CAN do anything, even in the face of adversity. Once again, seeing these great young people gives me tremendous hope for our future!

What an amazing group of young people and, like our Super Jocks, I know they will continue to not only better themselves, but better those around them. Good luck to the young triathletes of SelecTRI the Woodlands. You CAN do anything!

Please remember that Team Inspiration Texas now has its own Facebook page. www.facebook.com/teaminspiration. We invite you to “like” us and we especially encourage you to post on our wall and tell us how you have been helped by us! You do not have to have a Facebook page to do this.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Monday, September 5, 2011

Happy LABOR Day!

Ever since we started this blog last May, we have repeatedly talked about the importance of taking baby steps. Who cares how long it takes you to become more active to a point where you can definitely notice the difference? I am not likely to ever compete with the uber athletes that support me. Nor am I trying to. I am competing with one person…ME! Every day is a little better and for someone who is terminally impatient, I have learned to take one day at a time and enjoy every little success. I have also learned the importance of realizing my limits. Remember when we started this how I told you that I could barely ride a bike for a mile? Remember when I rode for about 10 miles that first time, my neighbors had to come to my driveway and pull the bike out from under me? Remember how after each ride I usually went right to the floor when I finally got into my house and had to drag myself around my house on my butt because I had a hard time standing? Yet, there was a silver lining to that. My floors were polished and clean!

The point of this you ask? Well, I am pleased to report that I have been keeping a log of my bike riding on the stationary bike and now the bike trainer in preparation for riding the MS 150 in April of 2012 with Team Inspiration Texas. Since 7/23/11, I have been able to log an amazing number of miles - 850!!!!!!! Now I am not bright enough to appreciate the significance of that, so I looked it up. By riding 850 miles, I rode my bike to St. Louis, Missouri! I can understand THAT. I constantly remind myself that I would not be here without adding a small distance to each successive attempt and finally I have learned that there are times that I just should not push myself any further. I am not at all bragging. It is my intense desire that people see that you can better yourself with a little bit of LABOR. Please take the first step and try!

Please remember that Team Inspiration Texas now has its own Facebook page. www.facebook.com/teaminspiration. We invite you to “like” us and we especially encourage you to post on our wall and tell us how you have been helped by us! You do not have to have a Facebook page to do this.

Happy LABOR Day!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace