Earth Day

I much prefer running in the country, than I do in town due to a lot of factors: road slope, dogs, cars, dogs, just houses, did I mention dogs. (haha!) So I have this route that I take out of town around the cemetery to get more miles in outside of town. It has a nice hill incline to it as well, to get some hill work done. I thought the first couple of weeks of running it, I wasn't going to make it, but it has become my friend now.  Along the way, I have noticed in the ditches trash, I mean a lot of trash! In fact, on Saturday morning there was a half drank bottle of Pepsi in the road.  Every time, I run it and think to myself, "I need to come clean this up!"  Yet, the next time I run it, it is still there.  

Saturday, I thought tomorrow, Earth Day, will be the perfect day to get some garbage cleaned up with the kids. So we went with garbage bags and gloves in toe.  At first there wasn't a lot, but as we went along the kids began to find a lot of trash, in particular, a lot of alcohol bottles.  They just couldn't understand why so many people felt the need to throw the trash out the window of their vehicle when they are so close to town and a garbage can.  

We were about halfway through, when I think the part that made the most impact of the journey happened.  Each of us had a bag: two bags for recycling and one bag for garage.  My son was wandering ahead of us as he was just trying to find the bottles, making a little game out of it, but realizing he had a lot to do.  He sat down along the ditch near the field.  I asked him, "Why are you sitting down?  Are you tired?" He responded, "This makes me really sad!" I said, "This makes me sad, too."

We only got one part of the road up to the cemetery done and filled up three bags.  The kids were worn out, and I was ready to head home.  Josh came and picked us up, so we could get the bags home. Our daughter was concerned about the rest of the road that I run along.  I told her when we get another nice weekend free, we can finish up that part of the road, too. 

I'm curious to see when I go for my next run out that way, how much trash has accumulated since we picked it up.  It just bothers me so much, when we can easily take our to-go containers, cups, bottles, food wrappers, etc to the nearest garbage.  Every gas station I've been to has garbage cans right at the pump. 

How do we change people's behaviors?  I don't know that I have the answer.  I am going to make sure that our two know how to care for God's earth and what we can do to make positive changes.  Today is a minor action, but I think it was deeper than 3 bags of trash.  It was filled with reflection, family time, enjoying the outdoors, and we realized how 1 hour can make a small difference.  

Update on 2018 goals

I thought I would check in as we are a quarter of the way through the year, and I need accountability on my goals I set for 2018. 

Physically:

I was doing really well training for the half marathon.  I was up to 8 miles a couple of weeks ago.  I had a slight set back the last couple of weeks with sciatica pain.  Just over the last couple of days, I have started to jog slowly again.  I think I need to adjust my training some and get more cross training of yoga and biking in on alternate days. Anyone want to help keep me accountable to doing yoga more?  May 12th will be here soon! Maintaining my weight is harder than losing the weight.  I knew it would be a challenge.  I'm still eating a balanced diet, but it can be really hard.  It will be a lifetime of focus.

Spiritually:

This is one area I need to work on yet.  I am reading a book currently titled, Girl Wash Your Face: Stop Believing in the Lies About Who You Area so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis. I am really enjoying it so far, and it is calling me out on somethings that I could work on personally.  I'm looking forward to sharing about the book, when I'm done.

Mentally and Emotionally:

This one can be rocky and up and down for me.  I need some sunshine and warmer weather!  I registered for a grad class focused on vocabulary in the classroom.  This is an area that I could work on in my teaching.  I'm looking forward to learning new strategies and ideas.

The towel on the floor...

See there always seems to be a towel left on the bathroom floor.  There is a hook on the wall about two feet away, but the towel just can't seem to make it all the way there. ;-)  Even with encouraging words and reminders, it just seems to find its own place on the floor.  I've let it bother me lately.  I may trip over it, and I say a few words. In the mornings I'm grumbling as I make my way to my blow dryer and straightener to try to make something out of the mop on my head. After the kids go to bed I look at it as I pass down the hallway saying, "Why can't they just hang up that towel!"

Then it hit me last night... It's just a towel!  Really that's all it is. I picked it up off the floor and hung it up on the hook, and as my hand let go of the towel a flood of emotions came over me.  Instead of being angry that the towel has been left on the floor, my heart turned to the blessings that this towel reminds me of in our lives.  Our house 5 years ago was graced with our first youth in our home, and it has been filled with ups and downs since.  This towel, reminds me of the laughter and giggles we have when we have tickle battles.  This towel, reminds me of our simple, but yet fun day trips we take together to create lasting memories.  This towel, reminds me of the conversations we have with each other as we sit at the table each night to have supper and ask each other, "How was your day?" This towel, reminds me of the simplicity of being a kids. This towel, reminds me of the blessings we have for our health and lives.  This towel, reminds me I need to not stress so much over the small things and live in the moments we have.  Because one day, I won't be picking up this towel, and I will miss it!