I’ll just put this happy, little quote right here.

(Source: bobrossgifs)

“We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves…The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, ‘You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.’ ”
-Sir Roger Bannister

I now live in a rather rural area among the Blue Ridge mountains and have discovered a blessing…unpaved roads and lots of them. Better still, they’re accessible from my home. This past Sunday I discovered a bit of the freedom Sir Bannister was talking about. Almost immediately following, I discovered the craving for that freedom. Thanks to impeccable weather, a keen sense of direction and sheer curiosity. I freed myself through a spirit of exploration. I started off going where I knew and then said to myself, “I bet that goes where I think it goes.” Last evening, I couldn’t help myself and explored some more all the while letting the joy of wonder carry me around the next corner or up the hill to see what lies beyond the crest. If you’ve ever been to or live amongst the Blue Ridge, then you know the pallet of sights that I was treated to. Probably the biggest reward was the smells. I was particularly treated to must from hidden creeks, mud, fuel from still-warm engines of farm equipment that had retired for the evening, cows, and my favorite layer mixed over top of it all, honeysuckle.

Still, where I felt most free was from myself. I didn’t place restrictions on my run. I didn’t ask how far I was going to go. I didn’t question whether I could do it. I didn’t even time it. I just knew I had to return home at the end of it. No longer was I in the context of “working out” my spirit transformed me into a context of static presence that perhaps I’ve gotten away from recently. What has resulted is my craving for that spirit more often. Plain and simple: I might be getting back into running.

Along with turning 3 decades old, I’ve come to grips with the fact that I’ve entered a phase in my life where I have a lot of friends who have recently become moms or will be soon. Sunday has to have a new meaning to them all.

I am excited for them. My wish for them is to have their sons and daughters feel as grateful 30 years later as I am for my mom. Let no time, or distance or age for that matter make them feel distant from one another. I wish their children know that in times of weakness a desire for their mother’s presence isn’t compounded weakness, but rather a priveledge. Better still, a comforting blanket.

Sign me up! I know i can outrun them.

Things learned from this:

Epic School Spirit (I mean untouchable)

Only the Pens can inspire greatness like this

Short shorts are pretty much the only choice for teenage girls these days

Plum High has 0% diversity, but still one badass high school

letsgopens:

plum high school’s 3rd annual penguins lipdub!  they always do a good job.  featuring iceburgh, katie o’malley and cy clark aka MALKAMANIA!!!

(Source: robotindisguise)

play your favorite song that has a piano in it and continue working while using the keyboard as piano keyboard.  Mine has all black keys!

(Source: letangueray)

Almost as good as “Peanut Butter Tuesday.”

robotindisguise:

barbiehighheels: why is this so funny