grow

October 22, 2013 In grow, Operation Charlotte, Photos, Virginia

on this day last year…

…I took these photos:

I run a lot in the morning and have for years. Last fall, I ran and drove but this gorgeous scene daily. Love this set of trees.

This morning like many, as I beat feet in a different place observing my surroundings with my mind swirling in a million directions as usual, I thought of where I was one year ago today and what’s happened since. Lot’s of growth and change. A few things that will always remain the same; A huge appreciation for nature, being thankful I have healthy legs to still run regularly, and a curiosity, anticipation, and excitement for whatever is next to come.

A very odd, unexpected, monumental life paradigm shift has happened to me during this past year- especially in the last few months. I am a control freak who feels out of control, I am a normally comfortable in my own skin girl who’s feeling wildly uncomfortable, and it generally feels like an alien has invaded my body. (So much for trying to be the never faltering, I’ve got this- I don’t need anyone, total badass I try to play on TV!) I’m being forcefully reminded once again:

1.) No one can control everything.

2.) Good and necessary growth is impossible unless you feel wildly uncomfortable at times.

3.) We can’t fight nature, so we may as well embrace it.

As I reflect on a year that seems worlds away from any other I’ve had, I’m trying to keep the parts of myself I know should stay forever, and I’m doing my best to leave behind the ones I probably should’ve let the death-grip go on, long ago.

Here’s to staying true to your old self while growing into your new.

Where were you one year ago today?

#FallColors #Running #NewBeginnings #OperationCharlotte

September 27, 2013 In grow, Inspiration, Links, Live the life you want to live, Projects & Organizations I dig, TTAA

undroppable

I’ve been finding lots of awesome people and projects lately as I spend time reading and researching for my own projects…

I find it incredibly refreshing to come across the good instead of bad. In a world that constantly seems to stay focused on the negative and the drama, there’s actually a whole lot of awesome out there- it just needs to be found. Hats off to people like Jason Pollock, Creator of Undroppable, for highlighting the positivity and hope that lives inside so many young people who might otherwise be misunderstood or go unnoticed.

Keep up the good work, Jason!

What makes you undroppable?

#ImUndroppable #InspiringYouth #Hope

September 13, 2013 In Great companies, grow, Inspiration, Live the life you want to live

it’s nice to share

If you’ve read here for any amount of time, you know that I love, love, love Roadtrip Nation. I randomly walked by a table in 2003 at my local VT bookstore, and this book caught my eye. I bought it was hooked: Instant superfan.

I’ve kept in touch and followed RTN for 10 years now, and met one of their Green RV crews in Chicago a couple summers ago which was a blast. Well, as usual the awesome peeps at RTN have been busy, still doing great work after all these years, and still growing. They’ve just launched a “Share Your Road” page on their website this week. (Of course I will submitting my road share.) In the meantime- you should share yours!

I love you Roadtrip nation! Keep doing good work.

How do you define your own road?

#SharingIsNice #DoingWorkThatMatters #DefineYourOwnRoad

March 26, 2013 In grow, Inspiration, Live the life you want to live, Thank you

invest in yourself: travel

The past few weeks have been exciting with the announcement of the 2nd Annual BLR Play It Forward Event and working on long-term goals for the Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Travel Scholarship. One of the recipients from last years scholarship sent me a note and photos last night from a trip she took recently and used some of her awarded funds for. (I hope to share with you all soon after I get permission from her.)

Getting a “Hi Diane! I’m writing to share photos and stories about a trip I just took with some of the funds from my scholarship!” – made me smile from ear to ear with the same pride I imagine a parent feels the first time they watch their child doing something kind for someone when they think nobody’s watching. It is my dream to be able to encourage young people to travel for education and self-empowerment. I know from experience that supporting anyone, at any age to travel or experience a new place can change a life and offer perspective like nothing else can. I am so incredibly thankful to all the strangers who donate here, and community members/alumni who contribute to the Play It Forward event so I can keep this scholarship going. THANK YOU!

The 2nd Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Scholarship will be awarded again during our alumni soccer game at Howard Park in Shaftsbury, VT on July 13th this year and will be gifted to a current female soccer playing student at Mount Anthony Union High School for:

*Participating in a MAU student exchange program;

*Taking a “Gap” Year between graduation and post-secondary education; and/or

*Going on an adventure travel trip intended for personal growth.

I can’t wait to get the applications back this year to see what ideas, ambitions, hopes, and dreams these girls have for exploring the world and learning about themselves. I have goals to expand the BLR Memorial Scholarship nationally in years to come, so I’ve been researching quite a bit about student exchange/travel in the US. I’ve learned the following facts from the guidance department at my former high school. They are shocking:

1.) “We have a lot more students come to us then travel abroad.” (Why do other countries encourage travel as part of their education, and we in the US do not?)

2.) “I’ve have only seen about 5 students in 12 years spend at least one full semester abroad.” (What?! About 5 students in twelve years?!)

3.) “Limiting factors are cost and the desire to graduate with their class rather then take a semester or two abroad and not earn credit.” (Again- what?! I can see a financial limiting factor, but taking a semester abroad to complete schooling in another country doesn’t count for school credits in this one?)

4.) “Vermont considers any student who takes 5 years to graduate as a drop out. This means those that take a year to do exchange then return are considered drop outs from our school. Schools in Vermont are punished for encouraging exchange opportunities.” (Is there another way to say WHAT?! This is ludicrous- particularly for a progressive state like Vermont.)

These findings make me even more driven to open the minds of American parents and schools on how travel benefits personal growth and independence.

Here’s to encouraging travel for education and self-empowerment. Here’s to encouraging travel for perspective. Here’s to encouraging travel as an investment in OURSELVES. If we don’t allow or encourage the chance to experience other people, places, cultures first hand- how can we expect to live in and create a well-rounded, appreciative, and tolerant society?

March 15, 2013 In grow, Live the life you want to live

my tribe licks oyster shells

“The bank is hiring Di, you could be a Teller! I could push your application through.”

“You’re welcome to come live in the basement, but only if you go back to vocational school.”

What?

(There are more but I will spare you.)

Ahhh…those moments you hear something out of the mouth of a friend who’s known you for years, and you can’t help but think: After all these years, you seriously haven’t a clue about who I am do you?

If I had a dollar for every unsolicited, absurd, possible employment suggestion or life direction I’ve heard over the years- people would be asking me for cash loans, not recommending I count their cash at that proposed teller job that’s up for grabs. Since my teens, I’ve been pushed, poked, and prodded to try and somehow “find myself” (was I ever lost?) in more most mis-matched, ill-fitting industries than I could count on a calculator. These proposed options for my professional life I’ve heard on a regular basis over the years have made me furrow my brow so hard and so often, I now need BOTOX. (Yes! That’s it! I can be a plastic surgeon when I grow up!) As if my responsive looks of horror and sighs aren’t enough, my facial expressions are usually followed with my big mouth: “Are you out of your fucking mind?”

Then comes the moment I experience all to often that I realize I have to understand my audience, and remember who’s in my tribe.

I love people. Lots of people. I love to be around all shapes, sizes and sexes of people. I like to eat meals with and have drinks with, play soccer with and booty shake with, and have easy and difficult conversation with- every kind of people. I saw the world as my oyster long, long ago, and started licking every corner of It’s shell with a smile on my face. During my time as the president of the clean shell club however, I have realized there’s a very small group in my rainbow of people that truly get me. I’m fortunate enough to have buckets of peeps who love me (and I love you for loving me- believe me) but most just simply don’t get me. (Or they can’t put me in a category so it freaks them out.) Last week I surpassed my gazillionth conversation about life, work, money, and this never ending obsession so many seem to have about me needing to fit perfectly in a pretty little box. Different perspectives are awesome, hearing the “other side” is always healthy, It’s refreshing to have options brought to attention, and I love a good challenge, but for the love of god people- not only do I have no interest in climing in the box, but that thing would light on fire if I tried to fake my way in, don’t you know that by now? I’m 34- not sure much is going to change about me at this point after all.

Time for adjustments. Time to start really start sticking to my own tribe more. (As much this pains me because I really play well with others.)

So, I’m like a baseball player adjusting his cup incessantly during the World Series right now. Adjust, adjust, adjust before I go crazy (and maybe apeshit) on some of those who I love and who love me because (sigh) they just don’t get me and I’m not sure I can take the lectures anymore. Apparently my transparent as Saran Wrap/talk about everything with any one, at any time/nothing is off limits/I think anything is possibe self, scares the shit out of most of America. I’ve taken little interest over the years living up to anyone else’s expectation (I’m hard enough on myself) and turns out that bothers some people. Thank goodness my tribe doesn’t have any expectations. They don’t care whether or not I can rattle off exactly what I’ll be doing tomorrow during my day on the high-powered career train, how much money I have in my bank account, or how many bedrooms are in the house I own. They really could give a shit about that stuff actually. My tribe simply cares that I’m waking up feeling good and healthy, exercising my brain and body regularly, that I work hard at whatever “thing” I’m passionate about, and that I’m regularly giving back to whatever community I’m in.

Oh how I love my tribe. I love the rest of you too, but you non-tribers are starting to drive me bonkers with the homework on how to “achieve greatness”, not to mention the judgements on why there must be something wrong with me because I haven’t chosen to get a picket fence I’ll have to maintain after my trips to Home Depot on Saturdays.

I’m thankful to have so many incredibly loving generous and well-intentioned people in my life. I am one lucky lady, and I appreciate everyone- really. The problem is that I have been fighting so hard to keep some of these people who love me in my life for so long even though they don’t get or support who and what I am, that I just don’t have the energy (and don’t want to) do it anymore. Fly away little birdies- fly away. (Sigh again.) I tried to keep you but you just couldn’t see my forrest through your trees when I could see yours, so I have to let you go now. As you certain birdies fly away, I must stay among my tribe of people who I never have to explain a thing to.

The only job I’m interested in applying for? The only box I’m interested in fitting in? The Chief of my tribe job of course, and that bruised, smiling box that’s busted open, tattered- completely worn and full of good stories about an authentic life.

Cheers to Starbucks Tall Cup #31! (That’s for you Rita:)

August 28, 2012 In grow, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin

warning: on this ride, you may get wet

August 1- August 27, 2012:

From the Windy City Chicago, to Madison WI bike trails and green space, to Stevens Point WI for PaddleQuest adventure race, to Southern VT for BLR Play It Forward, to Upstate NY for Finger Lakes and wineries, to Toronto Canada for a first time visit to check one big one off the leap list, back to Upstate NY, to Middleburg VA to a horse farm and dessert shop visit.

Whew!

The past 26 days have included runs through green fields, corn fields, soccer fields, dirt roads, paved roads, farms and over bridges, time with friends kids, a wedding, boat rides, swimming in rivers, swimming in quarries, fresh grown food from gardens, gifted dinners, dancing under a tent, some seeing old friends, meeting new friends, mistakes, accomplishments, time with family, the biggest event I have ever planned, so much pride and joy, a bunch of tears too, locally brewed beers and locally made wine, a border crossing, intriguing strangers and unexpected connections, life lessons, lots of fun, tons of laughs, deep thoughts and reflection, some regrets, buckets of excitement, another birthday, more miles on a trusty Honda Civic than I have yet to calculate- and then some.

It’s amazing what can happen in a month or less of life. I knew this would be an “epic” August, but I never imagined at the tail end of it I’d be sitting typing reflecting like I am right now. This month proves once again that you just never know. The things you think are going to be off the charts amazing and perfect- often times end up less than stellar, and the things you don’t ever expect- often end up being beyond any stellar you could’ve imagined. Pads and shin guards anyone?

Here’s to being able to roll with the punches, letting yourself feel every bit of the tilt-a-whirl ride, and the wonder of what wild unexpected adventure will come next.

June 7, 2012 In BLR Play it Forward 2012, BLR Reunion Soccer Weekend 8/18/12, grow

celebrating 40 years of title IX

Did you know that June 23, 2012 marks forty year anniversary of Title IX?! What amazing and serendipitous timing for the BLR Play it Forward Reunion Weekend to be this summer too.

I just learned of the 2nd Annual Title 9k race in October in Chicago. You can guarantee Blue Lollipop Road will be there with a crew of pals and supporters to celebrate The Power of IX!

Who wants to join me? A weekend of fun and fitness in the Windy City anyone?

Here’s to all the girls out there who play to be strong, independent, and run towards their goals.