Author: Kristine Binder

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is Yesterday with all its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday.

The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow with all its possible opportunities, its burdens, its large promise. Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow’s sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.

Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow, for it is yet to be born. This leaves only one day, Today. Most persons can muster the strength to fight the battle of just one day.

It is when you add the burdens that are beyond our control of Yesterday and Tomorrow that we break down. Let us, therefore, live Today and make the best of it, and live our

lives, ‘one day at a time’. And remember to find something to smile about every day (even if you have to look in the mirror) and then share it with a friend.

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I am not sure what makes them so angry. Was it one event that flipped a switch? Is the anger from frustration? Does it stem from jealousy? Bitterness? I’m not sure.

I see these people everywhere. Is life so horrible? Can they not see the good in life? Are they missing something?

I just want to open their eyes to the beauty of life. Sure there are crappy parts and unfairness but all in all life is pretty good. It is a matter of finding the good and peaceful place in your heart. I pray they find that peaceful place someday.

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A friend told me today that one of the reasons he loves me as his friend is that small things give me such joy. It is true. Small things do give me so much joy. Simple things. Easy things. I used to be all about the grand gesture. I would set my expectations so high and often be so very disappointed. Over time I have learned that the little things bring so much more joy to my life. The every day things. The mundane things.

My friend, Molly, has these red cowboy boots. They are so fitting of her personality. They embody her spirit. Molly is the founder and vision keeper of Girls on the Run. This program has given me so much and changed my life so when I saw Molly’s boots I wanted to share in that spirit. I searched and searched for my own ‘personality’. I soon found it in the form of hot pink cowboy boots so I ordered them…hoping they would be as cool when they arrived as they seemed online.

Boy was I in for a shock. The boots came today and from the moment I opened the box, I was giddy! I saw them there in their plastic wrap waiting for me and a smile as wide as the Grand Canyon came across my face. I carefully unwrapped each boot and put them on my feet. They fit perfectly. I felt like Cinderella. I slowly stood up and looked down at my boots. A feeling of overwhelming joy washed over me and I began to dance. I sachaed across the floor and just could not take my eyes off the boots. Such a simple, inexpensive thing was making me feel like I was on top of the world. I walked about showing my coworkers my boots just beaming. Call me crazy but I was in love with the boots and the feeling of joy they had given me. Even as I write this I smile. A Christmas morning smile. A smile that comes from a place deep inside.

And when I thought the day could not get better, I got home and found my new running shoes had been delivered. I was tenuous as they are a new model of my favorites but I laced them up and headed off to run. My son had cross country practice so I dropped him off and began my run. One step at a time I realized that these new shoes were so comfy and my feet welcomed them like a old friend. As I listened to my music, I watched the kids run their laps as I ran mine, inspired by their sheer joy of running. 4.5 miles later I was done and so was my son. As we got in the car, he turned to me and asked, “How was your run, mom?” “Good, buddy,” I replied. “Mom, I love when you are so happy. What’s for dinner?” A simple conversation about what is important. Happiness and dinner.

At the end of the day, my 16 year old came into my room and shared with me the sweet way a boy asked her out tonight. In her eyes I see the same joy I was feeling. The giddiness of a small child. The feeling that a simple small thing can make your heart so full it feels ready to burst. The feeling that your smile comes from a place so deep it won’t go away anytime soon.

So as I ready myself for bed, I see the boots across the room waiting to be worn again tomorrow. A simple, easy thing that brings so much joy….giddiness really ….to my soul.

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Some runs are good and some are bad. Just like life….some days are better than others but we get through move forward and move on.

Today’s run was one of the really bad runs. I knew it would be before I even started but didn’t think it was going to be as bad as it turned out.

Let me back up first and tell you all what has led up to this. I spent the summer working out, running spending my time getting stronger mentally and physically. This month I headed back to work after summer break. At first I was doing really well at getting up early and running before meetings but once school began, that became more difficult.

My day begins at 4:30 and we are out the door by 6:30. The day moves at a rapid pace from that point on. I am on my feet all day and supervise lunch so when the final bell rings at 3 I am beat but that means nothing to the schedule. There are games, practices, homework, dinner, activities, etc.

Tuesday I took my son to cross country and planned to run while he was at practice. I was invited to run with the 7/8th graders so I did. I was the turtle in the back but they pushed me to a rapid pace…way faster than my usual! It was a great run and I was on cloud nine.

Wednesday was a bit warmer and I ran 9. It was not my best nor my fastest but I got it done and it was not horrible.

Today….well that was another story. I drove kids all over and started dinner. I told the kids we would eat once I was done with my run. I had a snack of some trail mix and headed out. I have not been sleeping well (or enough) so I was exhausted and really not feeling the run. It was so hot (90’s) so I started slow and just kept putting one foot in front of the other. The hardest part for me is always the first mile or so. Once I find my happy pace I can run for miles. But I never found that happy pace today. As the run progressed I started to feel sick … Queasy and lightheaded. Not good.

I got about a mile and a half from home and just felt horrible. I was so hot and my stomache was doing more tricks that a circus monkey. I kept belching and …tasting trail mix a second time was not my idea of yummy . I stopped dead in my tracks and thought I was going to puke. My legs felt like lead. I was drenched in sweat. I thought about calling my daughter to come get me but decided to try to get home. So I did a glacial run/walk the 1.5 home. I arrived back at the house feeling worse than ever. The circus monkey in my belly had turned into an elephant. I could not stand in one place without leaving a pool of sweat …not a puddle….a giant lake of sweat. I could not cool down so I headed to the shower. I jumped in and began to feel better. Eventually I did feel much better and ate dinner.

Not every run can be great. Today I ran 3 miles instead of 5 but I didn’t puke or pass out. I did more than I thought even though it sucked. so even though it was a horrible run…I call it a win. I ran 3 more miles today.

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It’s is that time again…time to say goodbye to summer and head back to school. I love summer. I really do. I like the unscheduled time to relax and play. I love the time to watch my children explore and develop as human beings. The time spent with my husband and kids during those long summer days is something I cherish.

I don’t like the searing morning temps and blood boiling humidity for my training runs but I keep reminding myself that it is in these runs, I am getting stronger. I don’t like running the AC 24/7 not because I don’t like being cool but because I know the bill is coming soon enough! I don’t like the endless loads of laundry washing beach towels and constant making of pb&js but I do love that my pool is full of kids and friends.

I enjoy the ease of my summer wardrobe…running gear or my bathing suit. Hair care is just as easy ..throw it in a pony tail. No makeup other then sunscreen…

But now it is time to say good bye to all that makes summer good. Now it is time to return to the routines, homework and activities. Now as the kids go back to school, I go back to work. But I do so reluctantly. I adore my job, I just love the freedom of summer. My vocation is being a teacher…it is my calling and I never forget that is a privilege.

I feel like the wild bronco, the wild horse, of the West. These horses are caught and ranchers try to tame them. Each day the ranchers bring them into the paddock and try to saddle them. Once the horse can be saddled, the time wearing the saddle is lengthened. The horses buck and fight the saddle. They wage war against being tamed and domesticated. After long battles over many days and weeks the horses give in and enjoy the saddle and rider as much as they can. Making the rancher and rider happy becomes enough. I am that bronco. I will get dressed tomorrow for school but I won’t like it. It is only a 2 hour day and I have a change a clothes packed so I can change as soon as school is out. The following day is a 3.5 hour day. Again I will get dressed and do my hair but I won’t like it. I will pack my change of clothes and happily throw my hair in a pony tail at the end of the school day. The 3rd day is a Friday and a full day. I won’t like it at all but I will wear that saddle for a longer time.

With each day, I will give in a little more and get back into the routine of it all. It is good that I recognize this as I have to remember my own children, as well as the children I teach, are feeling the same way. They are bucking and fighting like me…but soon we will all happily be on a trail ride together.

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