365

 Today, January 27, 2018, is DAY 365 of the BEST YEAR YET Blog.

365 DAYS in a row of writing about what moved me that day.

365 DAYS of things that you can relate to.

365 stories to tell.

365 pieces of encouragement to hold on to.

As the song says, "...moments so dear!"

I trust that somewhere in these past 365 days, you have found at least one day's blog that spoke to you.

Maybe one blog that helped you get through that day...that moment...the issue...reminding you that

• YOU are enough
• YOU.CAN.DO.IT
• YOU got it 
• YOU are a champion

Earlier today, I was reading to the CHEERLEADER a few of my favorite ones

• YOU INSPIRE ME (Feb. 6, 2017)
• GO THE DISTANCE (Feb. 10, 2017)
• AIM HIGH (March 8, 2017)
• FOMO (April 16, 2017)
• I LOVE THIS LIFE (April 28, 2017)
• I HOPE YOU DANCE (May 15, 2017)

I could go on and on.  Maybe one day I'll put together "the best of..."  Only problem, it just might be a repeat of the past 365.

You see, there was something, EVERYDAY, that was special.  

Something, EVERYDAY, that caught my attention enough to spend time to write about it....to put my thoughts down for me...for you....for anyone who chose to read it.

I hope that this past year of BEST YEAR YET posts have helped you; put a smile on your face; even wondered "what in the world is going on in Tim's mind?"

Whatever it has been for you.....for me, it has been a real joy.

Moving forward, I'm not sure you'll see a post every day.  

I can't even tell you if you'll see one tomorrow.

But I can tell you that you will continue to see the BEST YEAR YET blog as YOU go about your BEST YEAR YET.

For now....I think I'll just sign off.

But before I do.....don't forget to MAKE today DAY 1 of your BEST YEAR YET!

                              

ALMOST THERE

I saw this picture today and it reminded me of a couple of things.

One, I run marathons.

When running, somebody, usually around mid-race when there is more than 10 miles to go, will either have a sign or will be yelling, "you look great....you're ALMOST THERE!"

It's almost like hearing someone shout out "FREEBIRD!" at ANY concert.

Next, tomorrow is BEST YEAR YET blog number 365.

So, we are ALMOST THERE.

But just like with any goal, you can't quit early, and say, "well, I did 363 or 364 in a row.  What will missing a couple of days at the end do?  I still did it, almost, right?"

When you are on a trip to a destination, do you stop 5 miles away and say, "this is good enough.  I'm ALMOST THERE" ?

NO.

Today, while working out, I was doing a timed exercise movement with a dumbbell.  One minute, alternating hand snatch.

I had someone timing me and calling out when I was half way through.  Then when I had 10 seconds to go.  The a countdown from 5.

I THOUGHT I was going hard, but when it got to the 10 second to go mark, I gave it a bit more *umph* (if you know what I mean).

So, no matter what your goal is, whether it's a timed/duration goal (ex. write a blog everyday for a year straight) or a certain measurement (ex. certain amount of weight), DON'T QUIT because you are ALMOST THERE.

You are ALMOST THERE.....so don't quit.

3 TO 365

DAY 363.

Can you believe it?

Well, whether we can believe it or not, it's still the truth.

Including today, there are only 3 more BEST YEAR YET blog posts, to make it to 365 days in a row!

WOW....for me, it's been quick...but slow.

It's been easy...but hard.

I hope for you, the reader, it's been GOOD?

I spent a little bit of time today and read through the first 15 or so from early 2017 (I would encourage you to do the same).  I think over the next couple of days, I'll read through them all.

This has been the first time, in my life, that I have done something, EVERYDAY for a year that didn't include eating, breathing, and sleeping (maybe I should say "a year" because there are still a couple of days left!).

Think about it:  What have you done EVERYDAY for a solid year?  

What have you disciplined yourself to do in the middle of LIFE'S obligations?  

Vacations?  

Business trips?

If anything, for me, I have shown myself, again, what is possible when you have a plan and your execute the plan.

Did I have days where I didn't want to write?  YES!

Did I have days that it went down to the wire?  YES! (the closest I got was 11:57pm!)

Did I have days that I sat around trying to think of something that would be worth writing about?  YES!

All the while, I kept writing and you kept reading.

What does that tell us?

Get started and stick with it.

Don't give up.

What is your passion?

What is your WHY?

It doesn't have to be to write a blog.  It could be many things that make you tick.

If you lose your WHY, you'll lose your WAY.

What is something that you can start today, stay dedicated and consistent with over the next 365 days?  

Whatever it is, you can look back on it and say, "I am so glad I did!"  Instead of "I wish I had."

WHO'S THE HERO?

WHO'S THE HERO?

I've been asking myself that question....a lot....lately.

Here is what Webster says:

he·ro

ˈhirō/

1. 1.

   a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

   
   

   "a war hero"

   
   

   
   

   
   

I can get behind that!

As a charity runner for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, I and others who do this for St. Jude are referred as "ST. JUDE HEROES."

I can tell you, I am very undeserving of being called that.  

I run...not fast mind you...marathons and raise awareness and money for this GREAT organization.

I think I identify more with Webster's other definition:

1. 2.

   NORTH AMERICAN

   another term for submarine sandwich.

I'm not a HERO.

I'm just a man amongst HEROES.

Those of you who have donated to St. Jude and the children who show unimaginable strength through the toughest of times, are the true HEROES. 

I think that the late Christopher Reeve said it best, 

"A HERO is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming circumstances."

So, be strong and advance forward.

Don't look to be called a HERO.....just do a HEROES work!

ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?

fun

fən/

1. enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure.

Who likes to have fun?

I do.

There was a song, 30 plus years ago that declared that "GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN."  I'm sure that hasn't changed.

There's even a band named FUN.

Why is it then, that we have to remind ourselves to have fun?

Why do we get so bogged down with "stuff" that we forget what FUN is?

What is FUN, truly?

Notice, Webster says that it is "enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure."

When you are in the "struggle," ANYTHING apart from that is FUN!

The CHEERLEADER and I have been fortunate to have experienced many really cool things and places.  We have had FUN all over the country and a few times in Mexico.

I remember after I spent 10 days in the hospital on 2 separate occasions in 2016, just getting outside for a walk was FUN.

Breathing the outside air was FUN.

This past Sunday, I went to Memphis, TN, to meet up with some other individuals who are running the Boston Marathon for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  We are more than 14 individuals, we are a team.

Yesterday, we had the privilege to tour the Hospital and see all the great work that they are doing there.  

Treating children.

Caring for the whole family.

Research.

One moment that will stick with all of us is when we had a personal audience with a 17 year old young man who was diagnosed with brain cancer about 3 years ago.

He told his story.  

We listened.

Someone asked him, "What do you do for fun?"

Without hesitation, he said, "Not have cancer."

How about that?  

Many of us, based on that definition, didn't know it, but we have always had FUN.

So remember, LIFE IS FUN!

Go experience it!

COMING UP NEXT...

We are coming up on 365.

Today is 360.

Three Hundred and Sixty days in a row of the BEST YEAR YET blog.

Recently, when I tell the story about writing a DAILY blog and committing to do it for a full year, the next question I get is, “Are you going to continue?  What’s next?”

That is a GREAT question.

My usual answer is.....I DON’T KNOW.

Although my personal “BEST YEAR YET” doesn’t conclude until my birthday in November, I’m still on my quest to smile more; give more; laugh more; find more ways to make an impact on others.

I don’t think I’ll just be able to shut it off and walk away.  

But....I’m not sure if it will continue as an everyday happening.

What are you thoughts?  What would you, the reader/follower of this blog, want to see?

So over the next 5 days.....maybe.....we’ll explore the “COMING UP NEXT....” for this little write up of encouragement and see how the next 365 could possibly look.

Until then, continue to look for ways to increase your influence and impact and don’t forget, MAKE today DAY 1 of your BEST YEAR YET!

HOW DID WE GET HERE

Today, I “had” to fly to Memphis.

I have the opportunity to be one of 12 or so runners, representing ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL in this year’s Boston Marathon as a St. Jude Hero.

This is the 5th time I have ran a marathon where I have raised money and awareness for St. Jude.

Every time I run for St. Jude, I am honored to do so.

I am meeting up with all those who are running Boston, like me, as a St. Jude Hero.  

We are doing some “team building” and also having an opportunity to visit the Hospital tomorrow.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

Sometimes I look at ALL of this and ask this question.

I started this marathon journey 4 years ago and when I toe the line at Boston on April 16th, this will be my 10 full marathon...and 5th as a St. Jude Hero.

Today, flying from Omaha to Memphis, I had a quick....and I mean quick....layover/connection in Atlanta.

After boarding in the ATL, we took off for our 50 minute flight.

About 30 minutes into the flight, I was listening to some music, and I was startled by someone.  The guy sitting right behind me got up and touched my arm and I dropped my phone.

After I realized what was happening, I turned off the music and he said to me, pointing to my sweatshirt (I was wearing a special hoodie for our Boston St. Jude Heroes team that had said “St. Jude Heroes” on the back), “Do you do that?”  I said, “Yes.”  What happened next is something that I will never forget.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

4 years ago, I ran my first marathon.  The Country Music Marathon - Nashville, which was part of the Rock-n-Roll Marathon series, and this one, the charity was St. Jude.

I was running this with a friend who had a direct association with St. Jude as their son had been treated at St. Jude years before (and was doing, on going check ups at the time).  Their lives were impacted greatly.

They told stories of all that St. Jude did for their son....did for them.   They told of how grateful they were to have St. Jude because without it, they don’t know what they would have done, financially, to provide the care for their son.  Well, they would have done what ever it took.

When we ran that first marathon in April of 2014, at the night before pasta dinner, we got a small glimpse, from our friends, the impact of the St. Jude Heroes and what that means to a patient family.

You see, no family every pays when their child is treated at St. Jude.

It’s all because of the donations of people that it is so.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

 I’m running Boston.  I’m once again raising money.

Why?

So that no family will have to worry about anything other than the health of their child.

THAT is how I got here.

The guy on the plane?  

He reached out his hand, shook mine and said, “THANK YOU.”  And then sat down.

There is probably so much more I could say, but that alone was enough for me.  

It is enough to keep me going.


 To be a part of helping St. Jude through my running the Boston Marathon, go to: https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/stjudeheroes2018/timpete To donate.

Thank You. 

WHAT IF

Have you ever played the "WHAT IF" game?

I'm sure you've at least considered it.

In the "WHAT IF" game, you come up with different scenarios about almost anything in life.

• WHAT IF I didn't shave for a year?
• WHAT IF I didn't use shampoo for a month? (this one doesn't pertain to me!)
• WHAT IF I got serious about my degree?
• WHAT IF I DID lose those 10 pounds?
• WHAT IF....WHAT IF....WHAT IF.....

As you can see, you can play this game in your mind forever.

But, WHAT IF you did something really radical?

WHAT IF you put action to it and did some little experiments on your WHAT IFs?

I think my "don't shave for a year" might be a bit radical...but hey, it's your WHAT IF!

Here are a few rules:

1. WHAT IFs are all experiments.  They are fun.  Nothing about the outcome is a very big deal.  It's fun to play.
2. This is your WHAT IFs, and it really doesn't matter what other people think about your experiments you are running.
3.  If you don't like the outcomes after a few trial runs, adjust or move on.  I would suggest keeping your WHAT IFs to a maximum of 90 days...but stick with it!
4. REMEMBER, if you play this game truthfully, what ever the outcome is, success or failure...YOU STILL WIN because you learned something new about your life.

So take some time and identify something that is causing your pain (health; weight; relationship; etc) or discomfort (anger; being critical of others; etc) or something else, and ask yourself, "WHAT IF I did ___________.  How would my life be different?"

Next, put a plan together that you can control for your experiment and START!

If you think about it, this BEST YEAR YET blog was really a "WHAT IF" experiment.  On January 28, 2017, I started this and committed to myself to write here, everyday, for one full year.  Next Saturday, January 27, 2018 will be number 365 in a row.  

WHAT IF I wouldn't have started?  That's a WHAT IF I don't want to think about!

So, be bold and have at it!

Let's make 2018 your BEST YEAR YET!

THE LIGHTHOUSE

light·house

ˈlītˌhous/

1. a tower or other structure containing a beacon light to warn or guide ships at sea.

I like LIGHTHOUSES.

They were once widely used, but due to technology with electronic navigational systems, as well as the expense of maintenance, you don't see as many operational LIGHTHOUSES anymore.

But there is so much symbolism in them.

The towering structure omitting a beacon of light in the face of danger, risk, adversity or challenge.

The offer of guidance, safety, salvation.  

The warm glow of the light lets us know and reminds us that security and home are within reach.

The LIGHTHOUSE shows us the way forward in navigating our way through the rough waters of life.

The Keeper is there to illustrate to us about our eyes looking forward and being alert.

Nothing else speaks of safety and security in the face of adversity and challenge quite the way a LIGHTHOUSE does.

Is your life a reflection of a LIGHTHOUSE?

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16 [NLT]; 
"You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

Do you live in such a way as to offer guidance, safety, salvation, security to yourself and others in the face of danger, risk, adversity or challenge?

Be a LIGHTHOUSE and SHINE!

SHANGRI-LA

Shangri-La.

Do you know what it is?

Or better  yet, do you know WHERE it is?

This was the name of the fictional place in author James Hilton's novel, LOST HORIZON. 

Hilton describes Shangri-La as mystical, harmonious valley, set in the Kunlun Moutains in Tibet.

Somewhat of an earthly paradise where those that are there age slowly and live well beyond the normal life expectancy by hundreds of years.

It's described as a place where there is no anxiety, pressure, or any of the day to day things that people outside of Shangri-La deal with.

A paradise hidden from modern man.

Why do I bring this up?

Over the past year, in the BEST YEAR YET blog, we've talked about choices; owning decisions; my response is my responsibility; etc.  To me, the place described as SHANGRI-LA is not some unattainable place, but one we can choose for our lives.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Philippi said this, "Be anxious for nothing (which simply means, Don't worry about anything); instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done."  Philippians 4:6

CHOICES.

We have a choice whether to be anxious. 

We have a choice to be a carrier of worry.

BUT.....

We have a choice to not worry.

We have a choice to be a carrier of JOY!

My encouragement to you today is to pursue YOUR own Shangri-La.

WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE....TODAY?

SMILE

Smile tho' your heart is aching

Smile even tho' it's breaking

When there are clouds in the sky

You'll get by

If you smile

Thro' your fear and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shin-ing thro' for you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide ev-'ry trace of sadness

Altho' a tear may be ever so near

That's the time

You must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying

You'll find that life is still worth-while

[SMILE: Composer: Charlie Chaplin; Lyricist(s): John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons]

THE FINISH LINE

"The need to finish is great."  Jim Tracy

90 days from today, my plan is to run across THE FINISH LINE at the Boston Marathon.

THE FINISH LINE.

It's the goal in any race.

It's the goal in life.

The Apostle Paul, in 2 Timothy 4:7 [NLT] said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."

The Message Bible says it this way, "This is the only race worth running.  I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way."

Recently, I watched a documentary about a high school coach in California, Jim Tracy and his San Francisco University High School Girls Cross Country Team.  The documentary is called, "Running for Jim."

I won't tell the whole story, as I think EVERYONE should watch it, whether you like running or not, but it starts out by showing brief clips, new papers, TV reports, etc, of the finish of the state cross country meet, where one of his runners, due to dehydration, collapsed just a few yards short of the finish line. (To see a great piece that ESPN did about this in 2010, click HERE)

There is a statement in the ESPN piece as well as in the documentary that caught my attention.  

"It's not HOW you cross the finish line and why, 

but who you cross the finish line with."

On April 16th, so many will "cross the finish line" with me.  Those who:  

• Have sacrificed
• Have encouraged 
• Gave of themselves 
• Gave of their time
• Gave of their knowledge 
• Gave of their resources 

Also:

• The patients and patient families of ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
• Those who have impacted me my whole life whether they are with us today, or have gone on before 
• ALL will be with me as I run 

My perspective is such:  I.RUN.FOR.A.REASON!  I.WILL.FINISH.MY.RACE!

So, whether in the RACE of LIFE or in an endurance RACE, I'll continue to run to that FINISH LINE.

Who will cross the line with me?

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling but rising up again."
Vince Lombardi

If you would like to get involved and donate to St. Jude and my efforts as as St. Jude Hero for the Boston Marathon, you can click this link:  

Support St. Jude through Tim Peterson's St. Jude Heroes Page

Thank you.

LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION

Today, January 15th, is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  It is an American Federal Holiday that is observed the 3rd Monday of January every year, to celebrate the birth of Dr. King (his actual day of birth is January 15th!).

There are so many tributes on social media, print media and TV that are happening today.

I love quotes.....and Dr. King had MANY that ring true to me.

My favorite quote of Dr. King's is today's topic: 
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is:  What are YOU doing for others?"

Earlier this year, in one of the BEST YEAR YET posts, I said, "It's NOT about YOU!"

We were not just put here to fill all of our individual desires.

I continually ask myself the question, "What can I do that will help to improve the life of someone else?"

If we enter each day with this mind set and offer up even the smallest act of kindness, it could have a lasting and even an eternal impact on the recipient.

One day and lawyer who was an expert in religious law asked Jesus a question (trying to test Him, the Bible says in Luke 10) about inheriting eternal life.  Jesus responded to his question with a question, "What does the law of Moses say?  How do you read it?"

The lawyer's reply, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Jesus replied that he was right and told him to "...do this and you will live."

But just like many of us...just like me, the lawyer wanted to justify his actions....how I read it is he was wanting to know how little he could do and still "get in!"  He asked, "And WHO is my neighbor?"

Many of us live in a house. Normally, we'll have a neighbor on our left or right.  We might even say those that live across the street from us...and if we are really bold, we'll say all those that live on our block are our neighbors....but no more than that.

Is that really the depth of who are neighbors are?

In Luke 10:30-37, Jesus told the lawyer a story about someone who was an outcast in their society who showed love, mercy and kindness to someone he didn't know.  It was compassion that caused him to do these things (read the story).

So the question again to us today, that was posed by Dr. King many years ago, "WHAT are you doing for others?"

Here is a list.  It's not an all inclusive list.  We'll call it a "starter list" to give you ideas of what you can do.  Think outside the box on this one:

• Shovel your neighbor's sidewalks AND driveway (if applicable)
• Mow your neighbor's yard
• Take them to the doctor
• Offer to watch their kids (no charge) so the parents can have a date
• Go to the shelter and volunteer
• Go around and pick up trash in your neighbor hood
• Do a charity race or event or whatever that helps to raise money for others

See what you can come up with that goes WAY beyond these few ideas.

Albert Einstein once said, "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile"

As you continue throughout your BEST YEAR YET, make it a habit to ask yourself, "What am I doing for others that goes beyond ME?"

Happy Birthday Dr. King.