On Sunday, I ran 26.2 miles for the first time. Finishing a marathon was (is?) one of my cardinal goals of 2026. While it was my first one, it was my partner C’s fourth. We both set this goal, individually and collectively driven. With endorphins still flowing, running a marathon taught me lessons, nearly every…
Writing
Creating: Intentions, Motivation, and Expectations
My partner’s at a conference all weekend. I’ve spent the last couple of days at work and at play. Not too much has changed, schedule-wise, though I’ve missed our daily hug. Chatter over coffee on intentions is one of our favorite rituals. Despite the temporary 2-hour time difference, he called while I was feasting on…
Intersection: Time Horizon
Today, I stumbled upon a phrase: “Time horizon”. It’s the ability (privilege?) to plan ahead. It got me thinking about how much I plan and how often I let things go. It’s not a linear line, though. When I plan, it’s in the hope of joyful preparation. I strategize. Research. Consider options. At its best,…
Learning: Sneak Peak into ReStory
I’ve spent much of these goal progress reports on my marathon and for good reason. A month from now, that project will be done. Surreal. And yet in a sea of running, working, and driving (to a new run; to work), I’ve been working away on other goals! To the void, I say: I haven’t…
Moving: Gratitude from being wrong
I was wrong multiple times today. I pride myself on being time. Early when possible, buffers give peace of mind. Is this penchant for timeliness performative? Perfectionistic? People-pleasing? A former value of mine is punctuality, what I now see is time-chunking. However, this time obsession sometimes prevents taking life as it is. So today’s lesson…
Intersection: Change and Consistency
Nothing changes if nothing changes. Stability may seem scary, boring, or – at the very least – redundant. How can both be true? Do I live in both realities? Believing in the affirmative, I can and have made many productive changes today, this month, and all year. That was one goal of setting “intersection” as…
Goals Progress: Still Running!
The temp soared to nearly 100. And yet, I ran. It’s the consistency that counts. I’ve got my first marathon in 2 months. It’s surreal. This weekend, I’ll be buckling up for a 2-hour run. I’ll be with my partner. And we’ll push each other. It’ll be after running 20 additional miles all week. But…
Creating: Protected Time and Pockets
Developing a creative habit includes having a vision of what you want and how to get there. Enter: Protected time. I try to write 3 pages every Sunday. This is hopes of finishing my book draft, a core goal of 2026. What about balancing consistency with seemingly sudden sparks. Inserting pockets of time and space…
Intersection: Emotional Labor via Energy
Questions I ask to intersect values and goals: Is this worth my energy? All we have is time, so how’s my capacity? Do external and internal forces shift my focus? How am I showing up, now? Will that change? What information is available? How much is accessible now? Do I have to “earn” it or…
Creating: I want to be…
A committed athlete. At least, that’s what my watch tells me, after jogging running a consistent pace. 4.5 miles in 45 minutes has splendid symmetry. An artist. Scribbling to actually say something. Not just another list. No longer restless. Able to resist pressures. Where stressors are fuel – not just quiet anger – to rule,…