Just Keep Running

If FINDING NEMO was set on land rather than at sea, Dory might have been better known for saying, “Just keep running. Just keep running.”

And if there’s been any time that Dory has been known to float through my thoughts, well, it’s been this week, that’s for sure.

In many ways, this marathon, with all its mile markers, has charted the progress of my life’s transformation this year. It’s been quite a metamorphosis, long in the making. I can’t tell you how much of a joy (and relief!) it is to see all this finally happen this year, even despite the scary moments. And trust me, there have plenty of scary moments.

One of the big things that’s needed to happen for me to move forward in my life is to become my own boss. Working for the now and for the future has been a constant challenge for me throughout my life. I mean, how do you pay the bills now and work towards a dream that seems to be always just out of sight in some untouchable future? Or to put it another way, I didn’t know how I was going to make it through January, much less make a huge shift like this.

Yet, when I started training for this marathon, I had this thought that by the time I crossed the finish line, I would be my own boss, and nor have I been able to shake that feeling.

Well, now, as I approach 20 miles, I can officially and proudly say that as of today, I am my own boss. See, my job came to a surprise end this past week (that happens in showbiz) and rather than thinking of it as thought I’m out of work, I’m treating it as if I just started my new career. This time I’m working for me.

On the day I received the news about being laid off, just before any worry could set hold, my friend, Pasqual, called me. During our conversation, he said, “You know, that’s what I love about endurance sports. Once you run a marathon or bicycle 50 miles, it puts things into perspective, you know? Life just becomes easy.”

I had to laugh. It’s true, and I hadn’t even seen it in that way, because I’ve been too involved in the race itself. All this time, I’ve been focusing intently on the next mile. Too busy looking towards the finish line, waiting for it appear on the horizon. I haven’t even thought to look back. Yet, when I did, everything up to this point flashed before me:

Wow, 20 miles!

Wow, nine months of extraordinary change!

I’m here. I’ve made it this far. I’ve somehow made it this far!

And turning my head again towards the future, it does put things everything into perspective. What’s six more miles, really? Why do I still become unsure at times if things will work out? They always do. So I booked my ticket to Italy and I decided I’m going to stay a month. In my state of clarity, I figured, eh, it’ll work out.

So, I guess, in the end, it’s always that easy, and maybe the talent we try to develop is knowing that as we move forward rather than waiting to see it when we look back. And should we get a little lost, then all we have to do is remember:

Just keep running.




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Let’s also thank Pasqual for generously and brilliantly donating $18 to me… 18 times. That’s over $300 and a tidal wave of good luck. Thank you, Pasqual!




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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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LAUGHTER IS THE SHORTEST DISTANCE
While this isn’t for AIDS, I must help my friend, Catalina, with her organization…


“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” – Victor Borge

MARSHALLS is proud to sponsor

A NIGHT OF COMEDY
with
LOUIE ANDERSON & FRIENDS
benefiting
SOJOURN SERVICES FOR BATTERED
WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN

Friday, November 3, 2006
at the Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles

Drinks and appetizers at 7:00 p.m.

Performance begins at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets $50.00 per person (which includes drinks and appetizers).

To purchase tickets or for more information call Donna Miller at (310) 264-6646 ext 235.