Chop it down, let it go

I received an email this morning containing this message, and it made me think of our group and our experience in Chicago.

FOUR BLESSED LOOKS
Look back and Thank God.
Look forward and Trust God.
Look around and Serve God.
Look within and Find God!"
"I asked God, 'How do I get the best out of life?' God said, 'Face your past without regrets. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear!'"

Since we got home, I've been too busy to spend much time (except that first week) dwelling on what did or didn't happen in Chicago. Now I'm glad I haven't had time to dwell on it, because in hearing some of the conversations Saturday morning, some of us are still dwelling in the past and aren't quite ready to face today, much less the future. All this experience did for me was prove that I'm not a quitter, and to give me a second chance to be even better than I would have been on October 7. I feel even more determined than ever, and I feel like now I have a chance to correct all the what-ifs I had just before Chicago. I remember hearing and reading about many of us who felt like we'd just skated by, didn't do everything we could to be ready for this marathon, and I was right in the middle of that. I knew I hadn't trained during the week like I needed to, and was prepared to just gut it out. Now that my goal is still there, I look at this as the perfect chance to correct all the stuff I didn't do last time, and be better prepared to kick them in the butt. I know this experience was heartbreaking, and that we all heal in different ways and times, but try to start thinking about the MS Blues, or next year in Chicago, as the chance God has given us to not just skate by, but kick some butt on the way. I didn't lose as much weight as I'd hoped, but I know most of that had to do with what I didn't do to cause it to happen. Now I have the perfect chance to be more dedicated, accomplish even more goals, and enjoy your friendships along the way. We have proven we can do it just by getting to the starting line, and now I'm ready to take the next step and cowgirl up!!!