Tag: gratitude

snow in colorado crossfitmomm.com

As I Sit Here…

by crossfitmomm, posted in Life Lessons and Advice

As I sit here in my nice warm house, watching the snow fall silently all around, blanketing the ground and every living creature in a speckled white, I realize how lucky I am.

I’m in a building with four walls that is heated with central heat. I don’t have to leave my home to get firewood. I turn on the faucet to get dinner going, and water magically comes out — unfrozen and warm even. I heat up my coffee, which I bought from the grocery store, and it warms my soul.

I look out at the beauty that surrounds me and realize this is all possible because of those who came before me and those who continue to do their jobs, day in and day out, to make this life possible. From the Armed Forces who allow me the freedom to live each day how I want to the plumbers, the roofers, and the home builders who make this abode possible, I am eternally grateful.

And to the restaurants, the insurance companies, the lawyers, the doctors, the fitness industry, the oil and gas workers, and even to the company you just got assigned that you have no idea what they do. To the police, fire, EMT’s and hospital workers who protect us all. To the teachers, the kids, family, the cats, the dogs, and the horses who make getting up each and every day worth it.

And finally, to my team (and by team, I mean all of Madwire) who helps each of these people above and countless more grow their business so we all can stay in our homes, work at our computers, admire (and even play in!) the snow, cook a hot meal, stay warm, and celebrate the beauty all around.

There’s a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.

And I am grateful for you!

Sunday Morning Murph…

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit

Month 2 of keeping my resolution to do Murph (the Hero workout named after Lieutenant Michael Murphy who died fighting for our freedoms) once a month.  It consists of 1 mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 air squats, and then another 1 mile run.

My first mile run was slow because of my 5k yesterday. But I made up the time in the pull-ups and push ups by taking no breaks. My second mile run was probably about average. I PR’ed but can definitely get my time down by trimming time on the runs on both ends.

It was a gorgeous morning. About 50 degrees out (perfect when you’re wearing a weight vest!). Quiet. The moon was out during my first mile and then the sky was pink during my second.  I am so grateful for the life I lead.

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A Gratitude Run…

by crossfitmomm, posted in Running

Image result for runningAs I posted a few days ago, I have been learning a lot lately about achieving your goals and defining them.

One thing Chop Wood Carry Water recommended was a gratitude walk when you’re comparing yourself to others.

Well, I took this idea and turned it into a “Gratitude Run.”

I love to run.  There’s nothing better to clear the mind, promote clarity, have some quiet time to yourself, and be healthy.  It’s the cheapest exercise program out there!  I have some of my best ideas when I’m running.

So yesterday I went on a gratitude run.  I tried to take everything I saw and be grateful for it:  prairie dogs, melting snow, grass, pavement, trees, bird calls, lakes, memories, etc.  I also used this time to be grateful and thank God for all the blessings in my life:  family, love, happiness, house, home, car, CrossFit, time to meditate and time to run, my job, my life, this moment, my future, my past, etc.

This was a great exercise!  I had some ideas I want to implement in my life not to mention I feel I’m not grateful enough in my life or humble.  I need to remember how blessed I am so I am a better person, more empathetic to others, more compassionate, more caring.

I plan to make every run (except maybe when I race) a gratitude run.

Try it yourself, see if your attitude or mindset changes, and let me know what you think!!

Chop Wood, Carry Water

by crossfitmomm, posted in Book Reviews, Life Lessons and Advice

Image result for chop wood carry waterChop Wood, Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf is a book that will change your life if you apply all its principles.

In this book we follow John who as a child had a dream to be a samurai archer.  As a young adult, he travels to Japan to make this a reality.

Little does he realize that it takes years to become an archer, not a few weeks.  In fact, he’s not even allowed to touch a bow for months.  First, he had to learn to chop wood and carry water, which he did every day he lived in the complex.  Chop Wood, Carry Water is a euphemism for the process, both internal and external, one must go through to be great.  It’s the fundamentals.  It’s the person you become in the process, while achieving your life skills.

In total, John spends 10 years in Japan before he graduates as an archer.  However, he has gained what most people don’t:  a character that dares to do what others won’t, who works hard in the process, and someone with a purpose in life.

This book is so full of life nuggets that it’s hard to cover all of them in such a short post.  Here are some of my favorite principles from this book:

“Choose to do what others won’t, and eventually you will be able to do what others can’t.”

“My value comes from who I am, not from what I do.”

“You are building your own house.”

“Choosing to believe that anything that happens is in your best interest…will develop within you an ability to change the world.”

“The setbacks of today become the forging blades of greatness for tomorrow.”

“Every little thing we do matters greatly when it is multiplied by the number of times we do it.”

“Focus on the process; control the controllables.”

“In order to reach your greatest potential you must operate with a heart posture of gratitude, commit to the controllables, surrender the outcome, and trust the process.”

GET THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW!  GO TO AMAZON.  ORDER IT.  YOU WON’T REGRET IT.  IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE IF YOU LET IT.