My Lucky Day...

165 days
40 minutes

It has been a while since my last entry. Almost a month. During that time I bought new running shoes, returned them, bought different new running shoes, and continued to run. Today's run was my favorite type, unexpected. On Wednesdays I typically work until 9 pm so I consider "hump-day" to be my "off-day". I was able to get off early and took advantage of the remaining daylight to squeeze in a run. Because I only had about an hour of light I decided to run fast and hard and had a great run.

I felt so lucky that I was able to make it out to the trail and as I was running I was reminded of an article in Runner's World that my friend Liz(hardcore runner, my biggest fan, and if you ask her--the reason I started running in the first place) passed on to me. It is all about feeling lucky for the opportunity to run as opposed to feeling like you have to run.

As I was focusing on my breathing and not letting my shoulders touch my ears, my mind started to mentally list all the other ways I am one lucky person.

I saw my mom this weekend. It was just for a few hours, but she looked great and best of all, her spirit seems to have found its way back. I am so lucky.

For the first time in my entire life I love someone just like you. Many people call my love wrong, a choice. But I am pretty sure this is what love is supposed to feel like. Each day my love grows. Each day I learn something. And unlike relationships in the past, each day I know I have someone in my corner. I am so lucky.

I moved around a lot when I was younger. My mom made a promise to me that when I started high school she would make sure I graduated from the same school. And even though she lived in another city for my senior year, she kept her word. During those four years I met my core, my favorites. Our parents raised us to be smart, independent, successful, compassionate people that contribute to society. I am Uncle J to alot of little ones and nothing makes me happier. All of the babies are healthy and there is nothing more amazing than watching your friends transform into parents. There truly are no words. In about 10 days I will have lived my life with them longer than without them. I am so lucky.

I have more friends than a person should. As I have moved through life I have been impacted by many people. Some live far away, and I am not always good at keeping in touch, but my love for them continues to grow and if I could give them my left arm I would. Some have funny nicknames and make me laugh til I want to cry. Some new friends continue to push me to think and question. Just last night we were discussing Arizona, immigration, and homelessness. I have people in my life that are as passionate, if not more, for what is right and wrong for all people. I am so lucky.

I have the chance to meet and earn the trust of young people that most of the world would write off at first glance. I pray for their lives everyday, that they never give up, they continue to dream, and they have half the chances I have had in my life because we are no different. I am so lucky.

This notion of luck is something I explored one time in college in one of my history classes. I wrote a paper on this very word in relationship to survivors of the Holocaust. One would assume that it was the survivors' faith which got them through these atrocities, but an overwhelming majority attributed their survival to luck. That they were no more deserving of life than the person to their right or left.

I am no more deserving than the person to my left or my right. I will run because I have the chance, not because I have to. But I hope even when I am not running, I will always remember I am so lucky.

Three Songs That Made My Run More Reale:

"Flaws and All" Beyonce
"Lose Yourself" Eminem
"The Heart of the Matter" India.Arie