I started out the year of 2017 saying it was going to be my year of “living boldly.” Yes, a lot of this determination was brought on by the 2016 Presidential Election and the outcome of the unrest that ensued following said election. I am proudly and unapologetically liberal, so to say it has been a year of angst, for my soul, would be an understatement. I have said repeatedly, and I will say again now, it has nothing to do with political differences. We all have our own political agendas and thoughts on how things should work. But the difference with this election was not political … it was pure out and out humanity. That is a line in the sand, my friends.
With this unrest, I committed
myself to “living boldly.” Never accept
through silence, take each day as a beautiful gift from our God, embrace that
gift, share it with others, and above all live and love each and every single
day … live and love each and every single day.
So my year of 2017, the year I
turned 64 on February 9 …
January brought a lot of unrest
in the political arena. I attended my
first ever protest and rally on January 31.
This was in response to the recent ban on immigration. I found this disturbing on so many fronts. It has repercussions that most of us cannot
even imagine yet or wrap our arms around.
But I also attended this rally for so many other reasons. I have said so many times, and will continue
to state, that this environment has awakened the “silence” of many. By “silence” I don’t just mean folks not stating
their mind in words or actions, but “silence” in not truly being aware of how
others have lived, been marginalized, while others have been so
privileged. I knew, as my year progressed, that this
would not and was indeed not, my only
rally or protest. I attended a health
care reform rally, in an effort to save our health care for millions upon
millions, I attended a Black Lives Matter and Interfaith Rally in response to
the hatred that was evidence in Charlottesville, and I recently attended the
Women’s March.
In February, I actually joined in
conversation and planning of a transatlantic cruise to Barcelona, Spain. This is intensely brave for me, as I HATE to
fly. Not only would I be flying almost
10 hours home from Barcelona, I would also be cruising across the Atlantic
Ocean from Tampa, Florida to the Mediterranean Sea to Barcelona, Spain. We would have two weeks at sea, with 4 ports
during the two weeks, and 6 full days of total at sea. The planning and anticipation were exciting,
but the apprehension was real as well.
Also in February … Happy 64th Birthday to me!!!!!!!!
Now for March … the first of March, I participated again in
the Triple Crown of Road Races. I live
in the Derby City area, and each year there are three road races and a
half-marathon that I participate in by walking in celebration of the Kentucky
Derby. This has been one of my victory
celebrations for my continued 70 pound weight loss. These races are 5K, 10K, 10 miles, and I do
the half-marathon 13.1. I was only
privileged to participate in the 5K, 10K, and 10 miler this year, due to being
in the middle of the ocean for the half-marathon. I did miss that half-marathoner this year …
I’ll be back on the road in 2018 for that one!!
(To celebrate my 65th Birthday!!)
On April 7, I celebrated my Third
Healthy Birthday!! On April 7, 2014 I
started on my wellness journey. Now
three years later, I celebrate my 70 pound weight loss, and more importantly
than the weight, my return to a healthy lifestyle, healthy, normal labs, and
very healthy body. I am forever
grateful for this journey.
Also in April, we made our
transatlantic crossing to Spain. What
an adventure, and more importantly, what an awesome group of friends to share
this experience. I know we have bonded
in friendship and spirit, and these bonds will not be broken. We are looking forward to many more
adventures over the years.
I could go on throughout the
months of 2017, but I won’t bore you with each detail.
My commitment was to “live
boldly.” I believe God calls each of us
to live boldly. Whether it be with large things, where we face a fear, or the
small things. In small things we often
touch more lives. I don’t honestly think
there really is anything as a “small thing.”
What may seem small to us, to another may be a life blood.
I love these beautiful lyrics
from the song, “We Will Rise Up and Follow” by David Haas
“In the eyes of the stranger,
tearful, joyous, or frightened. In the
face of each neighbor, Jesus summons us all.
When we hear words of hatred, spreading fear and false witness, words that
cry to be challenged, Jesus summons us all.
We will rise up, rise up and
follow. Christ before and beside us. Loving pattern to guide us. As we answer the
call.”
Live Boldly … give boldly of
yourself … love boldly. My life has
been enriched in so many ways. God has
always placed me in the right place, with the right people, at the right
time. It’s beyond time to Pay It
Forward.
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