Hey YA'LL. (Alright, so I'm a Southern girl...that's how we say it down here in the South!)
I've been traveling all over the United States. I just returned from Washington State. I had an amazing visit with the girls in Seattle, Washington. I had the marvelous privilege of hearing Claire, a fourth grader there, speak on how Girls on the Run has been a really positive force in her life.
So...that's my question to you. How has Girls on the Run changed your life? I guess a good place to start would be MY sharing with YOU how it has changed MY life.
Alright, so I'm into "top ten lists" and here is my "How Girls on the Run has changed my life, Top Ten List."
1.) I wake up excited every day, to see what amazing things are going to reveal themselves.
2.) I do a better job of being in the present moment. This means that I don't worry too much about the future...I just try to do what is right, right there in the moment I'm in, wherever I am and whatever I am doing.
3.) I have friends and colleagues in my life who support and enhance the "me" in me. I have so many friends who respect and value me. I feel so fortunate that I can share my greatest fears and greatest joys with them!
4.) I realize that I don't have to get along with everyone. When I was much younger I used to think it was important to be "liked" by everyone...but thanks to Girls on the Run I realize that everyone doesn't have to like me or even like Girls on the Run. It's all okay!
5.) I express all of my emotions. I used to want to always "look" happy and cheerful...but the truth is, sometimes I get sad and angry. I now have friends who are good listeners and are there for me to share ALL of my self with and this includes all of my emotions!
6.) Girls on the Run gives me something to care deeply about. Before I worked at Girls on the Run, I used to feel like I just had a job. Now I feel like I have a passion...AND it is my job. What a great place to be!
7.) I can admit when I'm wrong or don't know the answer to something. Before I started Girls on the Run, I used to think that it was a sign of weakness to admit that I had made a mistake or that I didn't know everything. Now I know that I'm just human...and sometimes make poor decisions...I just need to own up to them and do my best from there on out.
8.) I take better care of my body thanks to Girls on the Run. I used to drink a ton of sodas. You could say that I was a Soda Addict! (Not really, but I sure did drink a lot of 'em.) Now I drink water instead. That's because in Lesson Four when we talk about areas that could use improvement I told a group of girls I would do my best to drink water...and there you have it! I drink a lot of water EVERY day!
9.) I, more often than not, think through things before I act on them. I used to sometimes be impulsive. That means I would just do something before I had thought it through entirely. Now I really think through all the consequences of my actions before I pick one! (Although, being completely honest...this is still a toughie for me. Sometimes I just REACT and do things before I think them through...but I AM getting better!)
10.) And by far, the greatest outcome of being involved in Girls on the Run, is getting to know YOU. Girls like you are so open, accepting and honest and seem to just share love unconditionally and very compassionately. I admire you for that and continue to strive to be as open, accepting and REAL as you are.
So now...it's your turn! EMAIL ME a few ways Girls on the Run has helped you become the cool person you are! My email address, in case you forgot, is molly@girlsontherun.org.
Talk to you soon!
