Ping Pong Ball!

Boing Boing boing!

That would be only one of the body movements and feelings of enjoyment that came with the result of our race on Saturday.
WOW!
Event: US Championships for Outrigger Canoeing
Start: Newport Beach California
paddle 27 miles
Finish: Avalon, Catalina Island

We won! 4 hours 8 minutes

I had a vision: and it was a win...I felt it for days before the event, I felt the morning of, and I felt it the entire race! (I kept it inside, telling no one...I just have this strong notion and feeling that I couldn't put into words)
I have some of my favorite race moments here is one: I asked my teammates to hold their paddles up overhead when we crossed the line at the finish...it was purely to complete my vision! They did, and my vision was complete. WOW! The feeling of completing a vision is amazing! There are no words for that either...totally blew me away.

I had my epiphany about Team (last post here on blog) and it is a good read, and would rewrite it again for today...could not have done it without the amazing , push, presence and tenacity of each girl on the team. That, again, is what makes it so much fun!

The Lesson of TEAM

This summer I got back into training and racing with the TEAM.
I had no idea the benefits would be so many.

In the past I have danced the line of both individual sports (swimming, triathlon, cross country running) and Team sports (outrigger canoeing).

I love the individual sports, I only have to rely on me..I can make my kayak move on my own, or swim through ocean chop on my own, talk myself up a steep hill I want to run up on my own....but with six women in a canoe...this is different.

Yes, I have to apply what I can, and do my "job" as best as possible...and just know the others are doing their best too. The underlying energy is that we are-literally-moving that canoe together...it cannot be done with one person, it takes all six-pistons I call them- working together to get maximum speed.

Training together has also been a huge benefit, we subliminally push each other.
There is a underlying -little extra- we each give to get a little more out of each other and end result..reach a level that we most likely would not have achieved on our own.

I love the lesson of TEAM, I love the personalities of TEAM....that is EXACTLY what makes it so fun!

THAT MOMENT

This moment is one of my favorites...

Battling it out in a race, the team pulling together...even when it might look bleek....and pulling off a WIN in a BIG WAY!
The moment is crossing the finish line first, turning around and seeing all of my teammates "beaming" from the win! That is the moment...a moment of fun, accomplishment, excitement, and knowing WE all did our part, and then some to have the desired result.

I thought to myself after the fourth time we dropped back a little bit..."that is it, we are winning this thing"....and sure enough, with the most amazing, "quiet strength"-I want to call it, we pulled ahead, and then surged ahead. POWERFUL.

Adrenalin at it's height! and these are the moments that are fulfilling after knock-down, drag 'em out, tough workouts...ouch! Many o' nights as I start to fall asleep, my body just aches...but let me make it clear...I wouldn't have it any other way...there is pay off for the body aches and mental toughness that you have to have to GO to practice and PUSH your self at each practice.

Payoff: THAT MOMENT

Roller Coaster

Some days are GREAT, some days are not-so-great....I know, I know...I am not telling you anything new.

Luckily, there are some very strong people (full of wisdom peeps) in my life who continually remind me that life is a ride, and sometimes the roller coaster is bigger then at other times...the climb to the top seems audacious and huge, and other times the ride down the other side is exciting and can be QUICK!

Today, I cannot lie, I am on the scoop at the bottom, I went up, I went down, and have covered a few little "rollers" this week...some of the "flats" if you will.

My peeps have reminded me that the little ups and downs I am on, are temporary, they are not permanent...they are there....and the good news: everything is okay, and going to be okay.

I am grateful for feelings...because if I didn't feel them, then I would be NUMB...and I don't want to do life NUMB! So feeling up or down, sad or mad, elated or exhausted...no matter, they are part of systems that my body came with....I strive for the "feel good" stuff...but today, not-so-much.

Funny thing, we are headed to the Fair tonight, and the roller coaster will be there! This time I am just riding to set myself free while go up and down!

in the canoe

Have you ever paddled an outrigger canoe?

For those who are reading this...and have not....it is totally cool!

Last night at practice we had one of those practices where everything just really clicked...the water was stunning, the temperature of the water is finally pleasant and not frigid, and it was just before sunset on a summer's eve.

Moments like that really make me appreciate nature and her surroundings, and it is also the reward....to enjoy it.

For me when I am in the canoe, I am in that place of finding the balance between being a teammate, a team player (there are 6 seats in the canoe) with all 6 persons sitting in their seats and me doing my part...We were all working it together...and we flew...what fun!
I also recognize the individual part, each person brings their best, making all six on the same page, and then the effort becomes effortless.

I have learned that what I bring to a team does matter.

So this instance of athletics always seems to line up with what is also correct for other life situations. I must be present, participate, do my best, follow thru, and last but not least....bring a good attitude.

Once again athletic ladies, the foundation of good sportsmanship and integrity blend into life lessons.

I love being an athlete...so cool to apply these very important lessons everywhere!

The underdog in me

I finally can put my finger on it, why I am rooting for Susan Boyle.

I am not one much to follow internet fodder, but this story is one of true amazement. Personally I study "high achievers" and how they got to where they are and the mindset they possess...don't we all want to know their secret?

But Miss Susan Boyle has something I can relate to, an underdog story.
A girl, then turned into woman in her late 40's still with her dream of singing in front of a large audience, lives her dream and then she captures the world with her voice, ever surpassing her dream.

She is an underdog because she comes from humble beginnings.
She sheds light on dreams that people have given up on.
She sheds light into an industry loaded with "skinny mini teenie's" focused on exterior beauty.
She unknowingly has brought grace to the stage and to the forefront of the world.
She is sprite with character.
She is living her dream no matter what, and her age obviously did not kill her dream either!

It would seem hopeless, how would she get to live her dream? From her little village in Scotland, no major music industry connections...how? just how?

Somehow she kept her dream alive, and is now living it. That is the essence of life, the journey and the hope she brings.

If you take a moment and watch the clip of her walking off the stage after her very first time singing for the judges, she waved at the crowd with a smile and elegance that genuinely reflect that she was fulfilled and living her dream with a standing ovation!
That kind of moment is something we all have hidden in our hearts, and there she was living it.

At this moment I love the internet and that it has "shrunk" our world enough so that I can view this priceless gift of watching someone else across the globe have and then view enough guts to have a dream, and then view her living it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmbJzH93NU&feature=related

Go Susan Boyle, Go!

Being schooled by the Best!

"If you want to be an Olympian, then hang out with the Olympians"
Little mantras like this one hold so much truth.

No matter what you want to achieve in life, someone has already done it. (This is a principle of Jack Canfield's Success Principles)
The point is simple, go to the experts and ask. Ask those who have done it, hang around them, learn their habits, and self conversation, and lessons they learned along the way.

If you want to be an Olympian then it wouldn't make sense to hang out on street corners idling your time away..or around other athletes that were not successful. NO!
Hanging with other successful driven athletes and the right coaches is where you would go. This takes guts! It might be uncomfortable, and you may not get the "approval" of your current friends and family. You have to literally find and put yourself right in the middle of those who are currently or have achieved a high level of success.

Your goals have to be big and audacious...the kind of goals that scare you!
I was just at the greatest event ever, and I loved it when Bob Proctor made it so clear that you cannot achieve anything without BIG AUDACIOUS GOALS...goals that are then backed up with a strategy! Oh, how I loved being schooled by him...he is the best and most forward thought leader of our time. wow!

Find the best people you can to be schooled by, get around them, be open, let go of the fight, and start strategizing to move towards your big audacious goals! yay!

NEXT!

I have done this many times before, when something isn't working, just say: NEXT!

It is a small discipline that helps you recognize when it is time to "move on" or as I like to say, "move forward". I used to have difficulty leaving things behind and shifting gears...but then I got to reflect once again on some of my sports psychology...if you don't get it quite right, try it again, keep moving forward. Failure is actually good, it is a measure of where you are, and that an adjustment needs to be made. This is a great place to implement, NEXT.

Sometimes we LET failure scare us, and bring us down, when in reality, it is the best thing to happen! Have you also heard the phrase "if you are comfortable, with no risk, then you are not trying hard enough"? I believe this to be true! Getting uncomfortable means change is around the corner. NEXT...keep moving forward.

So today look at just one situation in your life that might not be working, and say NEXT! that will open the door for something new to walk in!

EXCITING! NEXT!

Looking for POLKAS

POLKA DOTS! Beautiful 70's dots!

Suit featured in Triathlete magazine is now posted on the website:
www.zswimwear.com

If any problems with the site store, or have any questions:
stephanie@zswimwear.com

Have a GREAT day!

TRIATHLETE magazine Swimsuit edition JUNE 2009

One of our Sportkini styles has made the Swimsuit edition of Triathlete Magazine June 2009 out on news stands now!

AWESOME photo!
GREAT looking model and swimsuit!

That is how an athletic swimsuit in my opinion should look!
Mission accomplished!

If you are in Southern California suits can be found at:
Keli's Outrigger on PCH in Dana Pt. or
www.Tribuys.com showroom in Irvine

The future is up to us....entrepreneurs

"THE FUTURE IS UP TO US, ENTREPRENEURS."

This is a quote I heard today, and I just thought it was sooooo cool!

For those of you who own your own company understand the drive and passion that it takes, the CHOICES you make on a daily basis (no hair & nails being done for us just getting off of the ground! no just yet!)
We generally "suck-it-up", and do what has to be done to continue to move forward with the dream, and passion that resonates inside, EVEN WHEN THINGS LOOK BLEEK.

This is the challenge of being an entrepreneur, and I wouldn't have it any other way. For me it is a freedom, a freedom that I don't really know how to describe. It involves a lot of creativity, and outside-of-box thinking.

This is a GREAT year, I can feel it already, and thanks to all of you who have been my cheerleaders! Here goes!

The 3 C's

I came up with this the other day, as I was relishing in the learning I experienced in the course I have spoke of in my last 2 posts.

The 3 C's are:
Commitment
Courage
Celebrate

I chose to honor myself and give myself a big hug for the 3 C's.
The course I took was a COMMITMENT to myself and my goals. I took the day off from work and while there stayed committed no matter how comfortable or uncomfortable the task was, and the learning that went with it (which was all about how we really show up in life, no smoke screens here...ooof.)
The second part was to honor my COURAGE: I had to have courage to really open my heart and my mind to stick to it, and take a courageous walk through situations that in the past would have sent me packing...with a fast drive home. It is tough to admit when something scares you, and gets you so outside your comfort zone you find yourself completely befuddled....every nerve and bone in your body just quivering with anxiety.
Lastly, I DID IT! So time to CELEBRATE! I really did it! I used to never let myself celebrate because I always thought of how I could have done better...basically living with the "no matter what I do, it is never enough 'tude"...well, no more! CELEBRATING puts me at a whole different vibration...attracting more reasons to celebrate into my life!

HOW FUN?!

Check out if there is place in your life where you can honor the 3 C's for yourself.
YAY!

Trying it on for size

Today I had another amazing experience!

Last post I noted that I went to an experiential learning event, and had major successes in learning and fun!

BUT today I got to practice one of the lessons from Friday, and I got to see that taking a totally different tact on a way I used to do something really worked!
It was a concept that at first I did not like, I immediately thought to myself "how the heck is that going to work?"...but it was proven to be a very effective method on the day of the event, and I thought today I would "give it a go", or give it a try.

One thing I know for sure, if I stay open to different ways to do things, and then not only open my mind, but follow through with trying it differently then I had done it previously, then I always have an amazing result.

How cool?!

Applying new knowledge for the first time, and then seeing it successful, is exciting!

S-T-R-E-T-C-H

Oh my! I have missed writing!

And it looks like I have had an audience out there in the internet bliss, and I did not even know it! I have recieved GREAT emails, and even a card in the mail from my readers, WOW!

This past week I went to all day course that just blew my mind, and this is why. When we sit at a desk, or a lecture hall, or even our cars listening to new info, it is good, but not the same as "experiencial learning". Have you ever done that? It is the greatest thing I have ever done.

It is a series of different tasks and exercises for you to do, (not in an office, OUTISDE) and an opportunity to learn how you not only operate in the "task", but it will clearly show you how you operate in life. When I first met the instructor at the first event I did 5 months ago, she said something that stuck with me for not only minutes after she said it, but for the drive home, and days and months after...

HOW YOU DO ANYTHING, IS HOW YOU DO EVERYTHING.

Let me say that again, and this time, read it slowly and absorb it....

HOW YOU DO ANYTHING, IS HOW YOU DO EVERYTHING.

This statement for me was just profound. I reflected on how I handled, intereacted, or did not interact, my feelings and self conversation through each activity and was astounded by what was revealed...how cool! An opportunity to grow, and STRETCH myself to be honest with myself, and if necessary make adjustments. I enjoy this type of work so much as I move toward my biggest goal in life: living at my greatest potential with no holding back.

I have the utmost respect for the CEO's and other execs, sales team members and staff members who played "full out" at this event with me this past week. Their support assisted me in ways that I never thought possible, without them the experience would not have been the same.

I learned so much...I came home and wrote in my journal and reflected....I gave myself a big hug for the 3 c's
Commitment: I made a commitment to myself to take this opportunity to learn and grow and kept it
Courage: I don't care who you are, stepping out, and up to the plate to STRETCH yourself, and learn takes courage, I did that!
Celebrate: Celebrate my lessons as they are a big part of my journey and adventure called life! woo hoo!

As I continue to pull my dream company together, and my dream team staff, lessons like these just excite me!

Isn't it amazing when life takes your breath away?!

Thought to ponder:
Is there something you have done lately to stretch yourself? to put yourself into a situation where growth was inevitable?

Have you celebrated lately?

Someone recently asked me that very question....
"What have you celebrated lately?"
As I sat there with tears in my eyes reiterating my BAD day....feeling completely disheveled...I looked through my teary eyes with a blank stare, I realized I could not even answer him.

I immediately thought to myself, why would I celebrate anything right now as I could only see that my world coming down around me?...not feeling any hope in the last 48 hours was tearing me apart inside (now please remember this is the life path I chose, to be an entrepreneur & anyone else who owns their own business would understand that some days are exciting and GREAT! Other days, you wonder "HOW can I go on?")

I really pondered an answer to this simple question....celebrate?
It wasn't until he explained to me WHY celebration of the littlest thing made a difference. He said, "when you celebrate you are sending a celebratory vibration to the universe, and therefore you will resonate a positive vibration...and like attracts like, so if you are positive, more positive stuff will come, you are now in the position to manifest your desires."

This immediately made it very clear what I had been doing...looking at something that was successful, but only able to see the dark cloud above it....this would lead to reasons why celebrating seemed futile.
For example, I have almost paid off this loan I have with only 5 payments left, I have had this loan for 6 years. ONLY 5 left! I should be celebrating! BUT Because I had a very tough few months, and missed 2 payments, I couldn't see any reason to celebrate. In the grand scheme of things, only having 5 left, making it this far and being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel on this loan, is worth CELEBRATING!

So with this fresh perspective I have decided to really try it on for size, so for the last 3 days, I have completely let myself celebrate! Wow! It sure does feel good! I find myself looking for the positive things, and am naturally attracting positive things too...who'd a thought that such a simple concept could be fun, exciting and turned into a daily adventure?

WOO! HOO! I wrote on my blog today!
Woo Hoo! I taught a GREAT class today!
Woo Hoo! I cooked a delicious dinner tonight for my friends!

Try this out!
What you got to Woo Hoo! about?

Writer's slump

For someone who has the gift of gab, and sometimes too much to say, LOL, I find that I actually have had a "writer's slump".

Imagine, waking up in the middle of the night, and wandering, what am I going to write about? or mindlessly chewing on a bagel with cream cheese and cup of joe first thing in the morning, and stilll wondering what am I gonna write about?

Then it hit me, I always write my best, and from my heart and my true experiences when I don't think about it.

I had read a few things online about how to blog, and become an "expert"...but truthfully all the pressure of the "how to's" actually stumped my creativity (mind you, I let it) I see now that when I get good info, as it is all good, I can discern what is good for me, and leave the rest.

I write because in all reality, I do enjoy it.
Some days my thoughts, questions and life ponderings are thought provoking, other days, not-so-much...it is just me, sharing my ups, and downs, epiphanies, fun times and some of the tougher ones too (those are hardest to share about, because there is no smoke screen or fascade to hide behind.)

Today is a day of feeling a little "gray", not lots of vibrant colors or strategies are coming up for me today....although, there is this feeling...this feeling that is resonating down inside of me that I know something BIG is happening! And this feels good, and is keeping me moving today--even if at a turtle pace.
I am not quite sure where this feeling is coming from, but I am going with it!

If you got a deep down feeling that is good, hang onto it, and enjoy it!

What to do with a blahhhhh day?

Last week was full of life's high's...I love living on the "high's"! It feels good!
I feel productive, accomplished in my own way, and like everything is going great....I find it easier to click into that POSITIVE attitude that I thrive on.

Well, I must admit, that Friday and Saturday, I was feeling the low's....like things were gray, and murky...I tried everything I knew to force myself to get back to a "higher" energy level, but nothing was working. (not even a STRONG cup of coffee!!!)

I believe that life is choices, so I was making an honest attempt to choose to see the positive stuff, and really make effort to discipline myself and BE HAPPY.

OK, so this is where I had to just calm down for a second..I called a good lady friend of mine, one that is just loaded with wisdom, and she reminded me that it is just part of our physiology, we are human and we were made to have high and low energy.. AND that feeling low was just that...a low energy day. I know this may not sound like rocket-science to those of you who are reading this....but everytime I have a low energy day...I am so uncomfortable, that it drives me nuts! I like high energy...it is odd to feel low (for me).

She simply reminded me also that our God given gift is to "feel" it ALL. Thank God I am not numb, and I can feel all the high's and low's life has to offer. No matter if I am high, or low, it is just my energy on that day. So simple, but I don't know about you, sometimes I need to be reminded of the simple stuff.

Whether you are having a high energy, or a low energy day, I am sure it is a good one.
Enjoy it!

February Fitness Challenge

I met my friend at the pool yesterday...she is amazing!
She has taken on for the second year in a row the February Fitness Challenge (in other words swimming as many yards (miles) as you can for the 28 days of February. A national fitness challenge.

She broke her age group record last year, and this year, as of yesterday, has already surpassed her last year's yards/miles for the first 19 days of this month. All I can think of is that it was the 19th of the month with 9 days to go AND she already surpassed her last year's impressive month long swim!

Okay so the details are that she is at 427,000 yards which translates to 242.6 miles of swimming! In only 19 days! I am sooooo floored by her dedication (spending a minimum of 6 hours in the pool a day) and her motivation to just keep going!

I swam in the lane with her (she is sponsored by my company and she was sporting the "billboard" butt suit) and it was great motivation to just go to the pool and support my friend with a very big audacious goal-300 miles this month! WHEW!

My mere 3150 was what I squeaked out yesterday, and I looked over to watch Lynn just keep going and going and going. WOW! (the energizer bunny)

Wonder how many yards today?!

p.s. she did clock me with her paddles, and my hand is soooo bruised that I can't swim today...ouch! BUT truthfully, a minor casualty in the large perspective of her goal! Go Lynn!

Being True....

To Yourself.

I can't tell you how many times I have heard that in my life.
BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.
Today I am having an epiphany about what that really means.
It also seems to be the constant message I continually keep hearing and experiencing...I am starting to think that "someone" -who I believe is my Higher Power- is trying to get my attention.

I am feeling like the student who is ready for next lesson, and as long as I stay open, I will be willing to hear it this is an opportunity to be aware and make the necessary changes.

For those of you who know me, I design swimsuits for a living. I have been in water sports my whole life, and love to literally LIVE IN MY SUIT.

I have been torn in the past as I have continuously taken survey after survey of my customer and what she likes and how to improve my product. I talk to industry peeps and study the current market, and sometimes get overwhelmed.
Today, after a fitting session with a willing test model, I realized that I have been trying to please so many different women...all having different opinions, constructive criticism and needs.

Why today was so poignant was because I know what I like to design, and what I feel is GREAT, but have gotten lost at moments taking in so much info from my generous friends and other biz peeps who are being kind with their suggestions.

This student (me) was ready for the valuable lesson of staying true to who I am. I enjoyed the fitting so much with my friend who kindly offered up her time to spend time with me today, and help me confirm the direction I was going on the fit of my new line due out 2010 (some sneak peaks will apear in '09) .

The confirmation that I am CLEAR on what it is I want to create and stick to it came today...and guess what?! It felt good.

As I ponder the "BE TRUE TO YOURSELF" motto, and relish in my experience today, I wonder if you out there have had a revelation on this one too?

Emotion in Motion

I went to an all day event last winter (2007) and it was called "The Best of Year of Your Life, and the The Secret". It was awesome with amazing speakers all day, each with their own delivery and special unique qualities. John Assaraf, Lisa Nichols and Michael Beckworth from the Secret were all there. Ken Blanchard who wrote the "One Minute Manager" WAS my FAVORITE. His aura and stage presence just beamed of love. He brought a tear to my eye. The "headliner" was Anthony Robbins, he was the strong finish, the theatrical boom at the end of a long day of phenomenal motivational speakers.

Today, driving in my car, I thought of that night and what Anthony Robbins had brought to the stage...an infectious enthusiasm. One of the key points he taught was that if you are in a so-so place, just not excited about life and what you are doing, then FIND A WAY to change your emotions, and GET EXCITED! His presentation was ever yet so powerful, as he played KICK ASS music to demonstrate his point, the entire stadium was on their feet jumping around like little kids dancing...wow! THIS HAD IMPACT!!!

I went into this last session of the day, almost burned out from so much good stuff....hungry and getting tired was where I was at....but it sure did change...and the MUSIC just catapulted me into a whole new perspective, attitude and energy.

He made a very good point, you must move out of stuck emotions, you must move out of negative emotions, you must take responsibility for yourself. You must be disciplined to do whatever it takes to evoke good energy in yourself, it is not anyone elses job, it is yours. I wrote in my notes from that night EMOTION=MOTION.

EMOTIONS= MOTION means use positive emotions to help propel you into forward movement, I totally understand that positive emotions keep you moving, gets you out of stuck and the feel good energy (at least for me) helps with being productive and positive!

For the last 3 days I have been playing a GREAT cd my friend made for me in my car, and I am just driving with "perma grin", smiling and happy to be alive and take my next action towards my goals. How cool is that? So, try it, play some music that just really drives your energy into excitement, fun, and movement. It is a great tool to make the shift when you need it!

Contagious Energy

Have you ever taken an exercise class and the instructor had a lack-luster energy about them?

Everything from body language, choice of music (if the class has music), tone of voice, and energy either can turn you off, or generate an infectious, and contagious sense of energy, and it is POWERFUL!

I do teach, and I do take the opportunity and relish in the choice to be a GREAT instructor. Since I don't like mediocrity, I take pleasure in finding ways to be contagious. Mind you, there is a lot of trial and error here, sometimes my "tactics" work, and sometimes they fail. Oh well, that means I get to try it different next time.

Today was one of those days when my class had great energy, and we fed off of each other, which made for a GREAT ride with all out effort! In my little world of teaching, this is GREAT success, to see my students smiling with the sense of accomplishment that they did it. They did the class the best they could for today, and it feels GOOD.

Take note today: how is your energy? regardless if it is low or high, it is contagious, so turn it on, and watch everything around for the day respond to your good energy.

Have a GREAT day!

humans-with human answers

I heard something interesting the other day...thought I would pass it on.

We are humans, with human problems, and a human perspective to find their solutions.....but sometimes, in fact 99.9% of the time, we really need a source that is WAYYYY bigger then we are to help solve our mere human problems with our little human perspective.

Asking for Divine intervention, and a larger perspective to help us see the answers -that we NEVER would have seen on our own- really is what relying on a Higher Power-Universe- the Source really means. There is sooo much more out there then just living in our little towns, dealing with petty daily stuff, there is whole world out there, and it can be shown to you, if you open yourself up to it.

That is my BIG thought of the day...one that has really stuck to my mind, and truthfully,I like that I can be open enough to explore BIG thoughts!

Can u?

Brand New Day

Everyday literally can be started with a FRESH START.

That is it.

Have you ever heard of the analogy of driving down the road only looking in the rear view mirror as a metaphor for life? Some people actually do that, they live life looking in the rear view mirror, not seeing what is ahead, or able to live in the present. Some are missing the excitement about what lies ahead. I have had friends who are like that, and they ultimately live in a very strange place, stuck. Not able to see what is in front, spending a lot of time and energy on things that have already happened, in the past.

Then you have the other analogy I have heard, via Jack Canfield-author of the Chicken Soup for Soul books, say a version of the car/life analogy.
"life is like driving your car at night on a dark road, and you can only see as far as your headlights show..a mere 200 ft. in front of the car....but yet, you keep driving forward, knowing there is still road there...the road willl change and you adapt when necessary. It is moving forward with blind faith."

There is excitement and anticipation of not knowing, it is slightly uncomfortable, but quite an adventure. I really enjoyed his analogy, and try to remember that when I can't "see how everything is going to workout", that it is going to be okay. I can only see 200 ft. in front of me, and the rest is blind faith, just keep going. TRUST and BELIEVE.

INSPIRING!

Living On Purpose

Just recently I have come across this sentence:
"There is a place you are to fill that no one else can fill; something you are to do, which no one else can do." quoted from Florence Scovel Shinn's book "Life is a Game, and This is How You Play It".

So that sentence right there says we all have a gift, and it is a gift that we are supposed to honor and express....question is: how do you find it? It took me a long time to learn my gift....but that truly required some work, some soul searching and a few simple prayers that my true gift be shown to me. My prayer was answered over and over and over again...and funny thing...sometimes I still didn't see it. (yea, sometimes subtle doesn't work for me...a mere "brick to the head" does).

BUT when I did get to see my purpose, it truly felt good and it was the best AH-Ha moment of my life!

I could now be 100% comfortable in my own skin!
I could now live with PURPOSE, and know I was right ON MY PURPOSE!

I enjoy spiritual searching, knowing there is a bigger picture....life is not just paying rent, running from work to errands to workouts.... to coordinating social events etc. There is sooo much more!

Have you asked yourself lately, what is my purpose? Better yet, put it out there to the Universe, the Source or if you call him your God, and ask, what is my Purpose? I bet you'll get an answer....and be pleasantly suprised!

Quick short story, my friend knows her purpose is "healing" through her work of physical therapy, she helps others heal, and she is good at it. She is attentive nurturing and amazing. She said to me that she knew her purpose, but that others might have the same purpose, and actually that may be true, but her delivery of her healing is her gift and what makes her unique. No one does it quite like she does, and that allows her to own her gift of healing which is done her very special way.

True story of the gifts of healing

I truly believe people are brought together by a much higher source and power...I recieved this story, and knew instantly it was story that will keep us women connected, connected to the bigger picture and the hope that resides here in our world.

From Heather Perry:

I have a story of my own in case your interested...I've been a swimmer all my life. developed all of my drive and self discipline from countless workouts from the age of 7 through college. Met my husband on the college swim team.

When i was 5 months pregnant with my son, i was diagnosed with stage IV non-hodgkins lymphoma. We started treatment right away and he went through 2 rounds with me, in utero. We dlivered him early and i spent all of 2006 in treatment, culminating in a bone marrow transplant. the transplant took me a year to recover from. When i was finally able to get up, i was dependent on morphine, fat, completely deconditioned and depressed. I began a new regimine of meditation, gentle yoga, and stretching. eventually, i got back in the pool. i had been a swimmer my whole life and the first day i got in i could barely finish 100yds. Two years to the day after i checked in for my bone marrow transplant, my husband and i swam Peaks to Portland, a 2.4 mile swim across Casco Bay in Maine. I swam in under and hour and beat my old time by 5 minutes. I have shed 30 lbs and have totally reclaimed my life. Swimming was such an important part of that.

The reason i thought to share this with you has to do with your musings on positive energy. throughout my illness, we would gather very close friends and family members in a room. i would lie in the middle of everyone and they would all put their hands on me and channel light and energy to the parts of my body that needed it most. my illness was an amazing experience for all involved, and positive talk and energy and meditation and healing touch were a huge part of it. you get what you attract.

We journaled all of our experience in a blog if you're interested in reading more about it. the url is http://www.heatherandfinn.com . Today we are all healthy and strong. Finn is 3 and not too crazy about the water...yet.

I am addicted to success stories...real stories of truth, love and raw honesty. If you have one, send me an email at:
stephanie@zswimwear.com
As I would love to hear it.

How do you do that?

How do you do that?
When the shit hits the fan, how do you turn it into a positive?
How do you do that?

I believe that there is opportunity in everything...in fact...how about when you go to workout, and your muscles are whooped, your energy is sapped, your head is whirling...and you do it anyway...the opportunity here is 10 fold...

1st once you get moving, you see it isn't so bad...
2nd your mental toughness starts to show through, your tenacity
3rd the feel good hormones start to flow cause you are moving
4th suddenly the feel good hormones feel so good, you are starting to feel really good, and the motivation to do the activity also just went up
5th the satisfaction that you did it...the sense of accomplishment, you did it anyway, and it turned out way better then you thought.

I teach spinning and truthfully, sometimes my legs are so flipping tired I don't want to do it...but all of the things stated above actually do happen...end result: I am much better off afterwards then when I started.

YAY! to all of you who do it...and have experienced what I am talking about!

Imagine that! I made a movie!

Yes, I did...and I even officially posted it on you tube.

It evolved into a complete dedication to female/woman athletes and ladies who strive to stay fit and live a healthy lifestyle.

My hats off to you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AD2DvqxSiI

:)
Steph

Athletic attitude

I always find that pretty much everything in life is about attitude!

As an athlete I find that I was challenged about my attitude alot. My really good coaches taught that being a female athlete had a lot of "responsibility". At first, I did not understand this...but over time, it seeped in.

Having good sportsmanship, at certain times, was easy, and other times tough. Being an athlete of grace, integrity and dignity was a teaching of one of my BEST coaches.
Some simple concepts that were taught on the playing field and in the competitive arena are 100% applicable to life.

#1 Life is not always fair.
#2 If someone did a better job then you did, congratulate them, and next time take it up a notch-do the work.
#3 Bring a positive attitude to practice, for those that are with you at practice are the ones who are making you better, without them you would not be pushed to excel, step outside your comfort zone and do it different.
#4 To get better, you have to step outside your comfort zone, and try many different ways to do it, until you find the success you are after.
#5 NEVER GIVE UP!
#6 You started it, now finish it.
#7 You can do it, but You have to believe it!
#8 When you fall, get up and do it again!
#9 No time for "thinking" or "back talking", take action.
#10 Write your goals down, and visualize them as being true, as you ARE capable of achieving anything you want...no matter how others may think or feel, it is not about them, this is your life! (by the way, think of Phelps and the audacious goals he set, and then did it! He set goals that were big, and the ultimate challenge, and he did all the work to get them done! wow!)

That's my peace for the day!

Stephanie





Today I am grateful for these lessons learned in sport