Learning is GOOD!

Don't die with regrets. How many times have I heard that?
I admit that I have one regret in my life. And today, more then ever, I'm realizing my mistake.
It wasn't that I didn't know any better. It was that I was scared. I could blame it on my parents. But that's not fair. If I really wanted it I would of found a way to do it. Unfortunately, I didn't feel so sure. I was super scared to go into debt. Now I regret it.
That one regret I have is going to University and getting a degree. I sure wish I had one now.
More then ever, in today's economy and job market... I'm pretty sure that employees have a pretty good selection of applications and they're probably looking at education first.
As I've mentioned before. I come from the 'school of hard knocks.' I didn't get the BA or the MBA. I did the college route and then I went to a big city (Toronto) because I knew I wanted to get into marketing and advertising and what better place. I did the temp thing to get into the big advertising agency. And I worked my way up. Doubling my salary each year. I did the Canadian Advertising Agency Practitioner's program. Does it count for anything today?
Not when you're applying for Communications jobs that require a BA or an MBA, not to mention the InDesign and Web aps skills.
So I said to my son when he finally figured out what his goals are for University when he graduates in 2010, "I'm going with you!"
Be nice to have other initials beside my name besides SoHK.

Getting Out of a Rut!

I'm in denial. I'm still putting shorts on and wearing thongs. What happened to summer? I must of missed it.
Likely due to the fact that I had my head down. I didn't much look up or around.
Sure I had the boat renovations going on, while I was sending out 'real job' applications, at the same time trying to write something here or there. But I have to admit. I got myself into a rut. And it was really hard getting out.
Here's what I did.
I already run. And spin. And bike. And walk. I'm always trying to smile.
But that wasn't enough. I found myself staying in bed longer. My emotional eating and cravings got worse. I watched TV and movies. I avoided people, family and friends. I was wallowing in self-pity. Why me?
So I said to thy self one day. You really have to do something about this. You've made promises to people, and you've broken them. You've said you're going to do something and you haven't. Not good.
Someone once told me that the most successful people in life are the early risers. This was the first habit I needed to work on.
I got a friend to come over and bang on the boat at 6:30 a.m. so we could go running together. This has been going on for just over a week.
I'm back writing. I'm back focussing on what I have to do. I'm asking forgiveness to those that I've said I've made committments to and haven't followed through on. And I'm learning how to meditate.
Twenty minutes a day I set the egg timer and sit myself down comfortably. Legs crossed, third finger on thumb, palms up.
I focus on peace, love and healing. White light. I push out all other thoughts.
Before I know it, the timer buzzes and I'm back into reality.
But it's different now. I'm in the NOW. I'm in the know. And I'm ready to go.

Being An EXTREME Sport Parent...

What dad said is true.
"Worrying is like a rocking horse, you go forwards and backwards, but you never get anywhere."
Thanks, Dad.
I used to sit in a hockey rink and watch my son get squashed against the boards. He left the AAA hockey scene a few years ago to pursue his passion - mountain biking. Downhill mountain biking.
This is a great sport. The parents are outside in the woods. Breathing in fresh air. Lots of good days in the sun. But for me, I have to wait at the finish line.
It's a timed race. Rolling down rock faces. Transcending large jumps. Flying through the air at lightning speeds. He's been clocked at over 50 km an hour. On a bike.
A good pal said to me when he started, "expect some broken bones."
When the season started THIS year, the first injury during training was his hand and thumb. Nothing broken thankfully. The next one was a concussion. A bad one. He called me up one day to say he was training on some stairs and his head started to spin and he felt really sick. Not good. So he rested some.
Back at her it was a practice run in Port Angeles where I was watching, at the finish line. He was catapulted off the bike and slid on gravel to an uncomfortable stop. Stitches weren't required. But a heavy dose of antibiotics were.
Then there was the foot that hit the tree and he was again sent soring through the air head first. Broken toes, hip pointer, three torn muscles. He carried on. This was on the right side.
Training again at the dirt jump park he then broke his left ankle.
Due to head east for a series of races he left in pieces. I would hear from him when he bashed the bad ankle. Four times.
He raced. He won. Amazingly. He raced again. And then there was the most horrific experience I've ever encountered.
I watched it live on the Internet. What appeared to be a good run ended in a broken front fork and bent in half front tire.
He went down hard. I'm on one coast, he's on the other.
I left the computer and sat down on the ground and prayed. "He's going to be ok. He's going to be ok." He's going to be ok."
Someone eventually rolled him off the course. He later woke and got up. Sore. But ok.
How do I cope knowing the risks of this sport? How do I prepare myself for each race?
Positive thoughts. I send love. I do not allow any negative thoughts to enter into my mind.
I have a network of DH mums now that I can talk to.
But I have to keep the faith. He is strong and he is healthy.
There are little rituals that I go through before each race run. If I'm not there. I play Ted Nugent's 'Fred Bear' three times. I meditate peace, love (speed) and SAFETY.
I say to him every time. Ride SAFE, Have FUN! Pinner! Ripper! Pedal to the metal....
If I don't hear back from him "I will," then I get worried.
But remind myself what dad always said, "Worrying is like a rocking horse, you go forwards and backwards, but you never get anywhere."
Thanks again, Dad.