Don't Spend Time, Invest It.

Those were the words on a sign I drove by last week. Hmmm, I thought. How does one invest time? 
I often read articles about small business, marketing, customer service etc... in order to help me serve my clients needs to the best of my ability. I was reading one such column this morning. It stated that it is more important to be the best person you can be, rather than being the absolute best at what you do.  To spend the time to know the people who work for you, or who hire you for a service. Finding out things about their lives, personalities, remembering when they are recovering from an illness, calling them when they are missed, celebrating milestones with them.  Taking each opportunity to make a relationship farther than "Hello" and "Goodbye" with a few pleasantries in between.
So time is an investment. A non-fail investment when you invest it in someone. It is so true that each interaction with a fellow human being can change your day, can start an amazing relationship, can help you understand them better, and through this understand yourself a little more.
So don't spend time. Use it wisely! To make your world, and someone else's a better place.

These Are A Few of My Favourite Things!

Oprah can do it, so why can't I? In fact, if any wants to help me start an "Annie taking over for Oprah" as world guru, trusted girlfriend and queen of all media, please let me know. I'm looking for a campaign manager!
A quick review, though, before I start the first annual "Favourite Things" episode of this blog.  My goals - you remember them, I'm sure, although I try daily to forget them! I am still working hard to find balance between work, home, family and friends. it's not perfect,but I'm doing my best to be present in whatever I am doing - and to give my best to the people to love me and need me the most.  I have had a massage with Pierre :) Instead of 3 riding tours, I have done 2 run races and a duathlon - and will be riding behind Sean in the 160K Ride4United Way in August.  Most of all - I haven't had a Diet Soda (or any aspartame) in over 6 weeks!  Woooohooooo! I never ever thought I could do it, and although I would charge like an angry rhinocerous to get one if given the chance, I am still steadfast in my goal - no going back! Thanks to you all for all your support  - it takes a village to raise an Annie! 
Back to my favourite things. I was thinking the other day of the many amazing things that I love about life, and in honour of the beautiful sunshine I think I shall share! All these things are free - so enjoy!
Clouds- I think their only function is to amuse and inspire creativity. What's better than laying on your back, sun beating down on your face, eyes squinting, and watching a scene take place in the sky above?
Gummi Worms- I'm not sure whether these are actually food, but am willing to take the chance for an occasional treat!
Singing into a Fan- Go ahead, try it, I dare you!
The First Bite of an Apple- Always a surprise, and the sound is incomparable.
Pool Noodles- Hmm, strange, squishy synthetic material, amazing bouyancy. Who knew!
Opening the First Page of a Book. It's like opening a door to a new realm, and if you listen closely you can hear the voices of all who have opened it before you.
Marshmallows- Like the Gummi Worms, the jury is still out on whether this is actually a food, but boy is it convincing when stuck with a tree branch and toasted to a delicious golden brown over a glowing fire.
Weather Reporters-  Love how saying exactly the same thing over and over can be made exciting and new every fifteen minutes. Also, kudos to all who risk life and limb clinging to a swaying telephone pole while reporting from the centre of a category 5 hurricane, simply so that I (sitting safely on my couch 100's of miles away) can understand the full impact of the "weather event".  Plus - how can people that are wrong so often, smile so sublimely all the time!  Highest. Self. Esteem.Ever. Weather reporters rock!

Canada-  Best country ever!  Thankful every day for waking up (and being a citizen, yay!) of this awesome and beautiful land. We really need to stop complaining about the little inconveniences that come with being Canadian and put things into perspective. To say we are lucky is an understatement. No one has what we has  - let's work hard to keep it this way!
Horses- You can see heaven in their eyes.
Coffee- need I explain?  Didn't think so.
Musicals- Movie or theatre - no difference I love it all!  I often imagine my own life as a musical, and it's not unusual for a conversation in the Tiffin home to turn into a full song and dance number.
Six degrees of seperation- Nothing cooler than meeting someone and then finding out you share mutual connections/friends/DNA. it's a small world, after all!
Flying- Strange, because I am terrified to fly. I do, however marvel over our ability to do so. As a child (and actually, I still do)believe that God Himself lifts each and every plane up, then gently blows them on their way. Miraculous!
Lists- I love order and accountability, and lists are nice, neat and tidy ways to keep everything as it should be!  I would have a list for my lists if Sean hadn't vetoed it.

There are so many things that I think are amazing!  If you have any favourite things,  please share. Also, we look forward to hearing about any goals or personal bests you have reached, either health/fitness or otherwise. Stay cool, drink lots and lots, and enjoy this glorious weather, friends!

Incredible Use for Bungee Cords

Duathlon is over!  It's the day after, and I am still feeling the afterglow of completing the first of many duathlon events. It was the most wonderful, terrifying, painful, exhilerating and heart stopping thing ever!  Had a great 2K sprint, 20 K cycle and an okay 5K run. I totally underestimated the pain caused from jumping off the bike and attempting to run. So I lost a lot of time on the run, and ran way slower than normal. But I kept going, kept smiling, kept feeling positive and enjoying the moment - and I finished. With my cheering section waving their signs, little hands reaching out for a high five and calls of encouragement from those present, and the words and thoughts from many others that I replayed in my head to keep me going. Awesome.
I watched the start of the Iron Man triathlon held at the same event.  The first people out of the water wore pink swimming caps, and were connected to each other with a bungee cord. Throughout the day I saw many such pairings - running, on tandem bikes, swimming - and I found out that they were blind athletes, tied to an athlete competing with them as their eyes. I ran a portion of the 5K run behind a pairing like this (until they left me in the dust) and overheard snippets of their conversations as we ran.  They conversed much like any other pair of runners, except occasionally a warning or instruction from the guide. "Watch for a dip" or "turn back to the right" to keep her runner on the path and competing safely. I find it so unbelievably inspiring. Not only the athlete who has the impairment, but the athlete who trains and runs with them. How unselfish and caring to aspire to be your best simply so that someone else can excel. There is no rest time - the guides must be at peak fitness to ensure that their blind partner can compete to the best of their ability and in complete safety. Also, the guide must be alert to a plethora of hazards that we take completely for granted as sighted people.   I can barely keep my eyes open through a race, let alone stay alert and be responsible for another human being. And the sighted athlete makes sure that their partner crosses the line ahead - this is truly about celebrating the amazing accomplishment of their partner, not about their own performance. The relationship between these two people is incredible. Swimming, biking and running together with just a bungee cord and a whole lot of trust to connect them.
I have seen bungee cords used in many ways - in fact I used two myself to secure my bike to the rack. But this is seriously the best use ever. Connecting people together to make dreams a reality.

When we left the park we heard that the same pairing that came out of the water first together was still leading the triathlon.  Now that's inspiring!

Phobophobia

Cited as "the fear of fears", phobophobia kind of goes hand in hand with the well worn phrase, "There is nothing to fear but fear itself". What is to fear about fear? ( I dare you to read this entire blog three times fast, LOL!) We all fear something, some of us many things, some of us have fears that cripple our everyday lives. What do you fear?  What makes your heart drop into your throat, your heart pound faster, beads of sweat growing on your forehead?
My husband is the calmest, most even keeled person I have ever met. But put a scary movie on and he turns into a jumping, trembling, screaming, Scooby Doo like charicature of himself.  I have friends who are afraid of spiders, heights, dogs, tooth brushes, you name it. But there is usually something that has happened in their past that has started these fears on their path to phobia. These fears are rational, based in fact and previous experience.
What about other fears? Such as fear of gaining weight, fear of failure, fear of judgement. There is no way to quantify these fears. These fears are life stopping, irrational and difficult to overcome. After all, we cannot control how other people percieve us, how they react to us, how our actions will be viewed.
My family went to Wonderland together for the first time last weekend.  Upon hearing that he was tall enough to ride many of the highest rollercoasters, he proclaimed,"I want to ride The Bat!!" Did I mention that he is seven and normally very sensible?  We took him to see it and he was still game. Deep breath, Mum, okay - go for it. So off he trots with my hubby. I watched his face, unsuspecting as to what was to come, as they raised his cart up to the top. As they dropped them into the first run, I could see what could only be described as pure, unadulterated terror.  Umm, I felt like the worst Mum ever. How could I not have talked him out of this?  He wasn't even tall enough to look over the seat in front of him. Major Mum fail, right there. As he tottered, dazed, off the ride, he had a mixture of terror and amazement on his little face.  It didn't deter him from trying an array of other coasters and rides for the rest of day (although none quite that large again, thank goodness). But he walked onto that roller coaster, fresh faced and excited, not knowing what to expect. No fear.
I have lots of fears. Some rational (flying, roller coasters and Heffalumps) and some irrational. I fear people's judgement, I fear failure, I fear not being a great Mum (especially after the Bat debacle). I fear mostly for my children - and fear that they will grow up with the same fears as I have.  I want them to be free of fear. 
If I were to break down my fears, they are all about not being in control. After all, I would bungee jump, cliff dive, para sail, zip line, extreme bike etc.. not without fear, but with enthusiasm. But the thought of flying makes me break out in a cold sweat. I have no control over that. And rollercoasters? Can't stop or go when I want them to. Can't take that at my own pace. Can't blame myself if something bad happens. Judgement?  Can't control what other people think of me.  And I can't live my children's lives or make them happy and productive. So I reach a stalemate.
How to let go of fear? Take it step by step.  Collect proof that what you imagine won't happen. Scared of starting an exercise regime? Start by making calls and meeting fitness pros. Then when you are comfortable, book a class or private session.  Find a place where fear is easily put aside and you feel safe, then build from there. 
As for me, I rode the Fly. It's no Behemuth, perhaps, but it's a step in the right direction. And none of my fears were realized. I am still living, I didn't fall out, have a heart attack, cry like a baby, or any other scenario that I dreamt up while in the line up with my family. 

Let go the fear of fear and take on the fear straight on, one step at a time. Surround your self with people who support you. And take the plunge.