July 2008 "Personal Section"

On Sunday I participated in a sprint triathlon, my first triathlon in two years….the first since my bad bike crash in July 2006. I chose this race as my first one back since it was a sprint race, plus it was an all-women race (632 participated). I didn’t feel nervous, though I didn’t sleep well the night before, which typically means I’m thinking about a lot of things, so I guess I was thinking about the race too much! (nerves??).

The race was held at Lake Lanier Islands, and we swam 1/3 mile to start it off. An 18 mile bike came next, and I was pretty happy with my bike, considering it typically is my worst event! It was rolling hills and I started counting the miles left when I saw mile 3 (“Only 15 to go!”), which is probably not a good thing to do. Fortunately, we ended with a 3 mile run and that is where I made up some ground, passed a few people in my age group, and ended up finishing 34th overall. It’s amazing at how fast some of these women are, especially on the bike. So, I was happy with my placing considering I haven’t raced in two years, and considering I have only been biking for 3 months.

I do have another triathlon in July (in Chattanooga) and a third one in August (see Office News & Events above for info on it). How about you? Are you working hard for something? Getting in shape, staying in shape, participating in any events? Tennis, golf, swimming? I encourage you to find something you like to do and stick with it, make it a habit, something that motivates you to stay in shape and keeps you happy!

I’m going to end with a story that someone sent me recently, titled “Garbage Truck.”

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean,he was really friendly.

So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..... "Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't."

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Make it a great day! We hope to see you soon.