Dreams vs. Goals

 In my last post I had mentioned that I had come across a volunteer opportunity at a monastery located in the Kombu Valley. I had contacted the organization to get more information. I had a reply in my email on Sunday morning and they are no longer placing volunteers at that monastery, only at ones in Kathmandu. I was so disappointed, the dream of that had been on my mind all weekend. I'll keep searching to see if I can locate another opportunity in that region. I do have several years yet before I plan on going. I guess it's just natures way of reminding me to live in the present and not get to excited about dreams and possibilities. I need to focus on real goals that I can currently pursue. I can plan to volunteer and I can plan and train to trek the EBC trail. But I need to not get hopes up for dreams as I cannot currently control where I can volunteer. I can only research it at this point in time. 

Workouts haven't been the best the past two mornings. I did not sleep well all weekend and just did not have much energy. I did my Yoga, skipped the Wim Hoff (my allergies are bad) and I did get my steps in, but not all in one go. It is so hard to get motivated right now as we are in the grips of a endless heatwave with temperatures around 105f/41c. Wildfires are starting to burn and there have been a few in Coryell County where I live. So far I haven't noticed any increase in smoke in the air, but it is probably just a matter of time.  It's just one more reason to stay indoors. 

Alaskan adventure is getting closer. It won't be long before I start making phone calls to confirm everything. I have already started organizing things to pack and washed most of the clothes I'll be taking. Some were new and others have been hanging in the closet for months as winter clothes are usually put away in March. I am starting to stress a bit about the trip and worry that if the weather is bad and excursions get cancelled it will ruin the trip and make it feel like a massive waste of money. But there I go again stressing about "what ifs" and not focusing on "what is". 

Reality, Goals, Dreams...

Dog Yoga

 I have dogs. I love my dogs. I currently have two small dogs and my son's pit bull mix. Most mornings they just sit back and watch me workout. This morning  my son's dog - King wanted to get in the middle of it. He was either walking around the mat, sitting next to me or licking my face - a big yucky no-no. He was a bit distracting during my breathing exercises and that threw me off. Missed breaths and struggled then to hold my breath as my concentration was off. I did make it through and also completed another 200 steps on the stepper. 

As I have mentioned before about why I am choosing to go to Nepal was initially the opportunities to do some volunteer work there. Most of the NGO's are located in either Kathmandu or Pokhara. I was really hoping to find something up in the mountains preferably near the Khumbu Valley. I was was googling volunteering in the Himalayas and found a organization that has opportunities in that region including English teaching assistants at a Thaktul Monastery about a thirty minute hike above Phakding. - this would be about halfway between Lukla and Namche Bazaar so I would be just a short walk off the EBC trail and would be inside the Sagarmatha National Park. Housing would be included at the monastery and I would be able to learn more about Buddhism and meditation. I would also have plenty of free time to do some hiking. If I could spend a month there I would already be a day and a half up the EBC trail and would be getting better acclimated and shouldn't have any trouble at all completing the trip. There are also opportunities to teach in some of the schools in that region too. I do think this is where I will focus my energies to go volunteer. 

This could be the opportunity and dream of a lifetime. 

Weekday Update

 I am getting closer to my Alaskan trip. I will need to start my final preparations and to do lists. They are currently having some warm weather there - oh how I hope it is much cooler when we are there. I am so tired of summer and these 100+ temperatures every day and no rain. I bought clothes for cool weather hiking for this trip so it would really be lousy if it is warm there. 

Workouts have been going well this week 100/200 steps on the stepper. I am feeling it in my legs though. I think I will probably stick to this for a few weeks. I'm not sure if I'll get an opportunity while on my trip to get in any workouts other than maybe a quick morning yoga. Hopefully I'll get in enough walking and hiking to make up for the lack of the morning workout.  It is good though to be at the level I am on the stepper, one third of the way to my goal. Two months ago I wasn't even sure I'd be able to ever get to fifty steps my knees were hurting so much. Now I just have a occasional  twinge, I am only limited by my legs getting tired and rubbery. So now I just have to build up my strength and stamina. Slow and steady with small increases. I hope to reach my goal in nine months when I plan on going hiking in New Mexico. 

I finished reading  "The Miracle of Mindfulness, A Manual on Meditation " and I am putting into practice some of wheat I have read. I don't know if it is a coincidence or not but the past two nights I did a short meditation before bed and I slept much better than I had been. Mental strength is as important as physical strength.  

Pebble in a stream...

 Today I feel like I can breath. Yesterday I felt rotten. I get really bad stomach cramps that hurt all the way through to my back when I get stressed. I sometimes get them even when I don't think I am stressed, but I probably am but just not pinpointing why. I was so glad to get home last night and I just tried to relax all evening. I made a simple omelet for dinner and went to bed early. 

I see the need to meditate and practice mindfulness. I know I will benefit if I can practice this daily. I am just finishing up reading "The Miracle of Mindfulness, A Manual on Meditation "by Thich Nhat Hanh. I have read another of his books in the past and I have another one on order that touches more on the philosophy of Buddhism. Just reading his works is very calming. He has some meditation topics that I will follow through on as I think they can help me let go of the issues in my past that continue to negatively disrupt my thoughts. 

I had an excellent workout this morning, I met or exceeded my goals. I love days like this because of the confidence it instills in me that I will be more than capable of completing the EBC trek. 

Meditation  focus, I am a small pebble in a stream. Water rushing over me. I am a stone, undisturbed but yet part of the universe as is all creation.  

Mindfulness and Mental Prep.

 A new week has begun. While I like most people don't look forward to Mondays, I do like that another week has passed and we are one week closer to Autumn and also my trip to Alaska. The weekend was hot so I was mostly indoors. My son was in town and we watched a few movies. I upped my steps on the stair-stepper and went from 75 to 100 (150 - 200 stair steps)  without really planning to. I wasn't paying attention and before I knew it I had exceeded my goal to go to 80 steps this week. I did do 100 again this morning. 

Part of preparing to do the EBC trek is to prepare mentally. It takes a determined mind to overcome some of the hardships that will be encountered on the trail. Hiking uphill for hours at a time is what is most worrisome for me. It is because of that fear that I am working out so diligently on the steps. I am a bit concerned about the altitude but I think I can overcome some of the challenges it will bring by just taking a slow steady pace and working on my breathing beforehand. I have mentioned in previous posts that I practice the Wim Hoff breathing technique. I also focus my breathing during yoga and meditation. I used to be interested in Mindfulness and Buddhism and trying to live more in the present. I slipped away from it and let the world and life distract me. I have realized that I need to return to that place and re-devote myself to the practice of mindfulness and the study of Buddhism. I can see where mentally this will be of great benefit to completing my goals but also helping me to enjoy my life in a more peaceful and caring way. I have always been  impressed by the philosophy of Buddhism and the guidance it  gives to living a kind life,  a peacefulness of the soul and teaching others. I am ready to take life at a slower more mindful pace. To live life aware of the moment I am in. I am letting go of the past and the pain that continued as I struggled to let it go. I knew that I had to release it because the closure I wanted would never be forthcoming. So I am closing that door and looking at what is in front of me. 

I want to live my life to inspire. While I need to focus on myself and my goals I need to love and care for those around me. To live my life as an example. I had a close friend that felt he lived a life of mindfulness. His life had been difficult and he had overcome many hardships and family disfunctions . He was so focused on himself though and looking after himself that he could be hurtful to those around him. He was only living in his moment and so focused on it that he neglected those around him. I think that may be why I drifted away from the teachings of the Buddha when instead I should have immersed myself and have been an inspiration to him. 

My plan to stay motivated

 Following on yesterdays post about motivation I'm going to break down the tips I shared and what I can do for myself to follow them. I know that it will at times be hard to keep up the workouts and activities I need to do to get in shape for the EBC trek. I realized this week that even though I have been enjoying my workouts and I am excited about the final goal, I can still get in a slump and find it hard to get started each morning. Luckily I did get myself moving and completed my workouts every day. 

So here is my list from yesterday with my plan to follow through on each one. 

1. Determine the why? Why do I need to get fit? Why don't I feel like exercising? Pinpoint the why's of why you need to exercise and why you get derailed. This one is easy... I'm getting old, I need and want to stay fit and active. I have dreams I want to accomplish and I need to be fit to do so. When I get derailed it is usually because of pain or exhaustion because of a poor nights sleep. I really need to find a solution to sleep better.

2.Think positive thoughts. Envision your goal. On the days I struggle I try to envision myself standing on the Hillary suspension bridge or arriving at basecamp. It does spur me on and reminds me of why I am up at 5:30 to exercise. I also remind myself about how good it feels to complete each workout.

3. Find a meaning. What does getting fit mean? Is it to lose weight? Be healthier? Getting fit will enable me to go on the long hikes in the forests and mountains that I love. It will also add to the quality of my life. I also hope to inspire others and my family by being more active and accomplishing my dreams. 

4. Create a plan. 

    a. Start small. I am really trying to stick to this as part of my plan. Baby steps to getting fit. I do a simple 15 minute yoga routine, 10 minute Wim Hoff breathing exercise and then I get on my stair stepper. I started out at 50 steps and have slowly increased to 150 steps. My goal is to get to 600. 

    b. Put it to paper or keep a journal. This blog is my journal and documentation of my journey.

    c. Stay accountable. Share your plan with someone and get encouragement from them. I mostly share this with my youngest daughter as she will often accompany me on my hiking/camping trips. She is a big supporter for me to chase my dreams. 

5. Keep goals manageable.

    a. Let go of bad habits. I have to admit I don't have a lot of bad habits. I eat healthy, rarely snack, I limit my sugar intake. I do have a weakness for red wine and I am trying to limit how much and when I drink. I also spend my evenings in front of the television. Maybe once the weather cools down I can get out a bit more in the evening,

    b. Be a morning person. I already am, and always have been.

    c. Don't skip a workout especially on Mondays and Fridays. This so far has not been an issue. I do have a rest day on Wednesday built into my schedule but, I rarely use it. 

6. Give yourself a break. 

    a. If you need a day to rest and recover, take it. When my knee hurts I will cut back or cut out the stair stepper. This was an issue at first, but lately the pain has been very slight and has not impacted my workouts.

    b. Practice self-care. I do need to do a better job at this. I need to treat my self to luxurious baths, or maybe a massage. I do take time on weekends to just relax.  

    c. Take a mental health day.  This is something I struggle with doing. I'm not sure if I can overcome the dedication to work and family to just check out for a day. 

    d. Pay attention to workout burnout. Change up the routine or schedule. Don't get in a rut of always   doing the same routine every day. This right now is where I am... I do the exact same thing every day as I really enjoy the workouts. I could add in a few different Yoga routines on different days. I just need to see what else is available online. I really like Criskayoga on YouTube and she has a whole collection of workouts. 

7. Get inspired. Not an issue for me as I am always finding inspiration to keep me going and igniting the fire to succeed. 

8. Find your inner warrior. I don't have to find my inner warrior - it is part of who I am and what drives me. I have been through so much heartache, pain  and struggles in my life.  I have fought to overcome these things that all too often destroy other peoples lives, I will battle anyone or anything that gets in my way. I guess there is a reason my favorite yoga pose is warrior 2. 

It feels good to have this in writing. I can come back to this when I need motivation and maybe update it as I find new ideas. I do know that the biggest motivator for me is to complete my dream of traveling to Nepal , working as a volunteer and then completing the EBC trek. I hope by doing so I will inspire others to never give up on their dreams no matter their age. 

Motivation

 Once again this morning I really had to push myself to do my workout routine. I did it, but it took some convincing even as I was doing it. I just would try to picture myself hiking in the Himalayas to keep myself going. So how do I stay motivated for the next three years. I think that the months until I retire in January of 2026 will be the hardest as I have to get in my workouts early in the morning, and I can only squeeze in hikes on weekends and vacations. Then there is the challenge of the heat during the summer months that force all activity indoors. I may by next summer just plan on getting a day pass for the local fitness center so I can get on a treadmill  and do some weight training. It also has a pool, but if my memory serves me correct it was always a bit to cold for my liking. But the goal is to get moving and get stronger. 

So how can I keep motivated? A bit of research has turned up the following tips:

1. Determine the why? Why do I need to get fit? Why don't I feel like exercising? Pinpoint the why's of why you need to exercise and why you get derailed. 

2.Think positive thoughts. Envision your goal.

3. Find a meaning. What does getting fit mean? Is it to lose weight? Be healthier? In my case it is to get healthier and stronger so I can go on long distance hikes in some pretty challenging conditions. I also want to inspire my family and others to pursue their dreams.

4. Create a plan. 

    a. Start small.

    b. Put it to paper or keep a journal. For me it is writing this blog.

    c. Stay accountable. Share your plan with someone and get encouragement from them.

5. Keep goals manageable.

    a. Let go of bad habits.

    b. Be a morning person (not a problem for me).

    c. Make workouts mindful. 

    d. Don't skip a workout especially on Mondays and Fridays. I originally was going to take a break every Wednesday. So far I have only skipped one and that was because my knee was hurting.

6. Give yourself a break. 

    a. If you need a day to rest and recover, take it. 

    b. Practice self-care. 

    c. Take a mental health day.  

    d. Pay attention to workout burnout. Change up the routine or schedule. Don't get in a rut of always   doing the same routine every day. This is an issue I have. Same routine every day. 

7. Get inspired. I follow a group on Facebook that either have or are planning to do the EBC trek. It inspires and motivates me to work hard. I also just have a knack for finding shows that have inspiring  messages. 

8. Find your inner warrior. For me this is pretty easy as my life has made me determined, stubborn, and ready to tackle any goal I put forth. My favorite yoga pose is Warrior 2. I feel it is empowering. 

So these are the tips I found online and adapted to my needs and goals. There are a few of these I need to work on so I don't burnout before getting to EBC. Even if I don't get to EBC, I am becoming healthier and stronger which is a very good thing.

Encouragement

Yesterday I mentioned the show I was watching on Netflix and how it reflected some of my own thoughts. In last nights episode he had a confrontation with his family  and many of them were against what he was doing. They thought maybe he was being selfish and careless. It was so sad to see him not have the support of his family. He went on to have a conversation with his teacher and said  "It doesn't scare me  what people think about me and what I am doing.  What is more frightening is that someday I might not be able to do what I want or even remember what I want to do. I'm not going to hesitate, I'm gonna give it my all".

So far I have been lucky that my kids support what I am doing. They encourage me to chase me dreams, to live life to the fullest. I hate to think how hurtful it would be if they did not cheer me on. My youngest daughter would join me on these journeys if she could. 

Today was the first day in weeks that I struggled to get motivated to do my morning workout. Insomnia has hit hard in recent weeks (I think it's due to the incredibly hot weather) and the lack of sleep is catching up with me. I did not let that lack of motivation stop me though and I pushed through and completed my series in full. I was dragging a bit afterwards though. My knee is still doing great even with the increased steps on the stair stepper. I think I am going to hold it at this level for a few weeks and build my strength up before increasing the daily steps. 

I have also been researching hiking trails to start getting out on after the Alaska trip. I've located a few within 2 hours of home and some ones to hit on multi day breaks that are 7-9 hours away. I have located one near Colorado Springs that would be a great final test. It's the Manitou Incline. Distance is less than a mile up but gains 1912 feet in altitude. My goal is to do this in the Spring of 2026 at the latest. I feel if I can accomplish this I can tackle anything the EBC trek will throw at me. 

Never too late

 Why is it that TV shows that keep having topics that inspire me. Last night I started watching  Navillera, a Korean drama about a seventy year old man that wanted to learn ballet. I had been thinking about watching this show for over a year and it finally felt like the right time. I watch a lot of Korean programs and movies. They have more original storylines than what is currently coming out of Hollywood. But anyway back to the show... the elderly man had been fascinated with ballet since he was a child but his father wouldn't let him take lessons. Life continued on as it does, school, marriage, kids, career and he never learned. But one day he stumbled across a ballet studio and was drawn to it and begged to be taught. When he was asked by the young dancer why, his reply was, " I've never been able to do something that I wanted to do." 

How tragic is it that is often what happens in life. As children our parents often dictate what we can or cannot do. Yes they often have excellent reasons for this, but sometimes it is just dictated by their own desires for their children. As we grow older the demands of family and career often leave us placing our dreams aside . I look back over my own life and I know I was able to achieve some of my dreams, others were set aside or delayed. There are also things I wish I had dreamed of doing when younger knowing that a different career path would have been so much more fulfilling. But live life without regrets and chase your dreams while living and loving life. 

Encourage your children's dreams. Never stop chasing your own. 

Li(o)ve Life

 Once again, I was watching a show last night when a comment was made that touched me. I was watching the David Bowie documentary Moonage Daydreams. In a clip of an interview with him from his later career he said "It's about living. Not the amount of time you lived, but what you did while you were here. . Do not regret the things you did not do ".  I do not want to have regrets. I want to at least pursue my dreams before I die. 

Thoughts of my death invaded my thoughts this weekend with a feeling of unease that I have not felt in a very long time. The thoughts of a tragic death intruded. I think the reason these thoughts have come to me is that for the first time in a very long time I feel I have a purpose to life. I have goals that I feel are important to achieve before I depart this earthly plain. I think I am learning to love life again and want to live it fully. To live without regrets. 

I try to live my life without any regrets. There are things I wish I had done differently, but I also know that if I had chosen a different path I would not be where I am today. I know that even though my second marriage ended very painfully, I was able to do many things I dreamed of because of it. I am the person I am today because of it. I do not know how different my life would have been had I not walked into the Greyhound pub in London on that June evening in 1995. Would it have been a easier path or one more difficult? My life would have been drastically different though, and I cannot imagine not having the people in my life that I have now if I had taken a different path. 

I feel myself growing stronger both mentally and physically on this current path. My morning workout routine has become a habit that I look forward to. My knees are getting stronger and are almost pain free. I am increasing my steps on the stair stepper a bit faster than I though I could. I am still pacing myself and holding back a bit so I don't overdo it. My goal is 300, I am a quarter of the way there at 75. I am feeling more confident I can reach my goal. I am praying that life will not throw any surprises at me as I have had more than my share over the years. This is to be my time. My time to live life, My time to love life. 

Picture this..

 Picturing myself here! Yes I know it is a really crappy editing job, it's not something I ever really do. But to think I could actually be standing here some day, it is what drives me to get up by 5:30 every morning to work out. It gives me a purpose to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Having a goal to do this trip keeps me going on my darkest days. It is more than a dream. It has become an obsession! 

Editted - Added a few more photo shopped pictures ha ha. Just having fun picturing myself there... 3 more years.

The journey to the goal...

 

I keep telling myself it's not a race. It's a journey step by step to get in the best possible physical condition I can be to reach my goal of going to Nepal and completing the EBC Trek. Those steps are at times baby steps, some weeks I even step backwards as my old joints don't want to cooperate. This week though the steps have been moving forward in a very positive way. This morning was another great workout with minimal pain in my knee on the stair stepper. My steps have been increasing bit by bit this week. I'm trying not to push the limits because that is when I can get forced to step back. 

Everyday I get closer to my dreams and goals. I knew when I started out it would be a long journey. I know where I currently am, I know where I need to end up. I've a plan to get there. Some days it is a struggle. The past few though I have enjoyed. Waking up really early has been surprisingly good as I don't feel pressure to rush through my workout. It will also give me the time to add additional steps and exercises to my current schedule. For now and until I retire I will probably limit my workouts to what I can do at home or on the hiking trail. I do think that once I retire and especially over the summer months I will join a local gym to get on the treadmill, do some weight training and maybe go swimming. That is still a ways off so I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.  

I look forward to getting up each morning now and doing my exercise routine. Yoga, Wim Hoff breathing and stair stepper. Just 16 hours until my workout tomorrow!

Birdseye view

 Just as I was getting concerned about my knee pain things seemed to have turned a bit. My workouts on the stair stepper have really improved this week and my steps numbers have increased with little to no pain. Yippee! I haven't taken a break from any of my workouts now for I think two weeks. I know I did have a few days there though that I did very little on the stair stepper as the pain in my left knee was a bit unbearable. But slow and steady with small increases seems to be paying off. I am really enjoying my yoga workouts have added an occasional pre-bed routine. My confidence has soared! 

The morning workouts have me getting up earlier and earlier. Part of this is I just don't sleep well (insomnia since I was a kid) and I often find myself awake before 5:00 am. I usually would lay in bed quietly and stay relaxed until nearly time for the alarm. But now with the workouts and needing to get outside and do some early morning watering in the garden I seem to be needing to get up before 5:30 a.m. so I can still get out the door and off to work on time. I may have to look at going to bed slightly earlier than I have been, but I just feel so old going to sleep before 9:30 pm. While I do wish I could sleep in later, I am a morning person and I enjoy the peacefulness of those early hours. In the evening I am just always impatient for the sun to set, for the evening to quiet down so I can go climb into my bed and read for a bit before falling asleep. 

On the EBC trek the hikes start early in the morning and everyone calls it a night and heads off to bed pretty early at night. This will be perfect for me. I do enjoy being out in the early morning and listening to nature wake up. At home the first sounds I hear are the Carolina Wrens calling out as the sun begins to rise. They are soon joined by many of the other birds that call my garden home. By the time I leave for work they are already visiting the feeders and bird bath. I could sit and watch them for hours. 

Oh to be a bird to see the world from above....

Life sucks then you die....

 Life sucks, then you die. Four years ago I honestly felt this way about my life. My  heart had been broken one too many times. I was picking up the pieces from shattered dreams and what I had thought my life was and was going to be. I did heal, ( well still healing a bit). But I sometimes do struggle with where my life is currently to what I had thought it would be. I then only have to remind myself that in so many ways it is so much better. 

My life now can sometimes be a bit lonely. It isn't the loneliness that bothers me, but the boredom. Once again I am going to complain about the Texas summer weather. We are experiencing another dangerous heat wave for the next ten days with temperatures over 103 and heat indexes up to 110+. Yesterday just opening the back door felt like a blast from a furnace. The mornings aren't even cool with temperatures at 6 am in the low 80's. So I hibernate. I can't just pack up and go to a cooler climate for a week as I have to work. Travel takes money. Oh I save and invest for nice trips, but just to do a casual short break hits my budget pretty hard. 

Last night though when I started to feel down, I burst out and said LIFE SUCKS BUT THEN YOU.... make a goal that excites you and gives you something to work towards and look forward to! So I stop and remind myself  that even though I may get bored in that moment I have some amazing adventures to look forward to. I should sit and enjoy the quiet for the moment that it is and know that the days will pass, the weather will change, retirement will come and adventures will begin!

Living a life well lived...

 Several times in recent weeks I have randomly picked a movie or TV series to watch that had a very inspiring message for me. Maybe it's just because where I am in my life that I pick up on these messages or that I am being drawn to shows to would be sharing this message.  Yesterday I watched a British movie - Living.  The story was about an elderly man that had lived a rather ordinary (some would say boring) life. He is diagnosed with terminal cancer and realizes he never really lived. His life was missing joy. He is drawn to a former co-worker (a much younger women) because of her happy disposition and her gusto for life. They build a friendship. He is inspired when he returns to work to take on a project that had kept getting pushed off onto other people or just delayed as it wasn't seen as important. He realized though that to a few people it was. So he took it on and got it approved and constructed. It was just a small playground to be built where a bombed out building had stood but was now polluted with sewage waste and trash. It was a simple story but one that rang true with my goals. The lead told a story about when he was a child and would be out on the playground, he would just be there waiting to be called in for dinner. Most of the kids were playing games and having fun and were disappointed to be called in for dinner whereas he waiting impatiently to be called in. As he said he was just there. That was how he had lived his life. It was only when faced with  he imminent death that he felt driven to do something that had meaning and would leave a positive impact. 

My death is not imminent well as least as far as I know it isn't. I also don't think I have led a boring life that was not impactful or inspiring to others. But I also know I don't want to sit down and die. Unless I were to be diagnosed with a terminal illness, death can really come quite unexpectedly. I feel like I need to continue living until that moment. To live a life that inspires, that brings positive change to the lives of others. To live a life of adventure. To have lived this life. That is what I want. I hope I get that chance. 

Living was based in the Japanese film Ikuru

Stepping it up

 My workouts haven't gone as well as I'd like this week. I've pushed myself during my yoga workouts to really stretch the muscles. My workouts are usually before 6:00 am and by lunchtime at 1:00 pm I start to stiffen up and find myself walking like an old lady when I head off to lunch. My Wim Hoff breathing is going well and I am now easily holding my breath for 90 seconds. The whole breathing exercise routine seems to go much more quickly now as it has become much easier. My left knee is still causing a bit of an issue with the stair stepper, but it isn't as bad as it was a few weeks back. I did 50 complete steps (100 on a staircase) everyday. I've still a long way to go to get to my target of 300 pain free steps. My legs also tired out much quicker this week, I was feeling the burn by 35 steps. I'm not sure why this is because last weekend I easily did 100 in one workout. I just need to learn patience and know that slow and steady will win the race. I've really only been doing these workouts for five weeks, and I did struggle with a lot more knee pain than I currently am. So slow improvements. I'll need to remember to look back at this post next month and see where I am at then. 

Here is the link to my yoga workout, it's an easy series that can be completed in less than 20 minutes so is perfect for an early morning workout before getting ready to go to work.

https://youtu.be/uH2N2gmjhl0

I follow it with the quick Wim Hoff breathing series;

https://youtu.be/uH2N2gmjhl0

I then hop onto my stair stepper for as long as I can. 

I'm looking forward to cooler weather and getting out on the trails to hike! 

What to Collect - part 2

 

Continuing on from yesterdays post I just wanted to continue on that topic now that I am in a much better and more mindful place. 

Life is to be experienced. Possessions add little to nothing to ones overall life. It is the experiences that we recall. They are the stories we tell. They are what inspire others. As I have written before I want to inspire others to go do and see what they feel is impossible. Set the goals and pursue them. do your best. I am doing my best to reach the goal of trekking the EBC and hopefully the additional Goyko Ri trek in 2026. I am basically going from couch potato to mega hiker in three years. I want to reach base camp, hike up Kalapathar and Goyko Ri to see four of the world's 14 peaks that reach above 8,000 m! They are: Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. 

I know I don't write much about my hope to do some volunteer work while I am in Nepal. It was what initially led me to wanting to travel there. It was only after looking at things to do while there that I stumbled across the EBC trek and knew that I have to do that. I haven't yet decided what kind of volunteer work I will do, but will either be teaching English, or working with disadvantaged women. There are some construction projects that I would currently be able to do (I love DIY/construction) but I am aware that it is getting a bit more difficult to do and in three years it could be a bit more than I would want to commit to. I think working with disadvantaged women would be a meaningful way to give my time and have a positive impact on someone's life. 

I am aware that I am getting older, I am Senior Citizen old. I don't feel it. I have to regularly remind myself of it. I just have to keep feeling as good (if not better) for the next three years. I can do this. 

I CAN DO THIS!

What to collect...

 Doubts have been plaguing me lately. I've set such a big goal for almost a too distant future. I know I need the three years I've set to prepare but it allows so much time for something to go wrong. I think that is what is worrisome for me. I spend every morning doing my workout, I pray for a nice cool morning on the weekend to go hiking. I am planning hiking trips in the next few years to train for this, but then what if it all just falls apart? I tell myself though that if nothing else I am getting stronger and in much better shape than I was, which is a good thing. I suppose I would feel better about this and more confident if I could get out now and go hiking. Freaking Texas summers! I hate the heat and humidity. I wanted so badly to get out and do things this past weekend but with heat indexes over 100f, I just can't do it. I was getting so depressed being cooped up inside. 

I did do some thinking though about my finances and what and how I would prefer to spend my money. Oh I could re-do my bathroom, take my landscaping up a few notches, get a new sofa. But those are just things, what do they add to my life? Life is about experiences, not things. It is the experiences that we recall much more vividly and emotionally than the things we have. Oh I do have some things that make me smile. I am still happy ten years later that I did remodel my kitchen, but the remodel added to the joy of cooking and dining with my family that I did not get in the old small outdated one. So that added to the experience meal prep and eating.

I started this journey because I want to experience the world and see things I have only dreamed of. I need to stay focused on that. 

Life is lived by experiencing the world, not possessing it.