Change your life and step out of your comfort zone!

Harry and I have never really learned to country dance. When we decided to join our cousins on a trail ride that included dancing at night by the fire; we were very nervous about the dancing. We watched u-tube videos on different dancing techniques, we bought an instruction video, and we tried to practice. I have to admit I have two left feet and I am insecure about looking stupid on the dance floor.

 For the last few months we have been planning on joining our cousins at the Mesquite Trail Ride in Sonoita Arizona. We mailed our horse riding clothes to Arizona, we rented a motor home, and attempted to practice our dancing. I hadn't taken the time to ride a horse in two years. Harry had never gone on a trail ride in his life. Just days before we were scheduled to go, I told Harry that I really didn't want to go. I didn't want to change my routine or step out of my "comfortable" box. Harry still wanted to attend and didn't want to disappoint our cousins, so we drove to Sonoita. Sonoita is a high desert with high grass, rolling hills, and spectacular views. We had a spectacular time riding horses with our family and new friends. We had catered dinners outside under the stars, bonfires every night, live music and dancing. I found out that no one cared if I could dance and no one was watching. We have so many good memories from our time there.

Many people do the same thing day after day. Change is scary and sometimes hard. If I hadn't gone to the trail ride I would have missed out on a wonderful memory and the feeling of accomplishment that I rode my horse for ten hours! Don't let fear of change cause you to miss out on life. “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” –Jim Rohn -

Life Always Has Treasures to Find!

I had another wonderful week! It wasn't quite as busy but the treasures were multiple. This week I exercised everyday, went snorkeling with a six foot reef shark, had dinner with friends three times (love not cooking!), and flew to Arizona to check on our winter retreat house only to find an all day job of plant trimming. Today I rode my mountain bike in the desert. 

While walking/running this week I wanted to pay attention to what was going on around me and not just stare at the bike trail. Iguanas are very prolific in Key West and a lot of people think they are a nuisance but I think they are fascinating! They are all different shades of green and yellow and so many sizes from two inches to about three feet long. They scurry into either the bushes or the water away from you if you are tromping down the bike trail, they are so afraid of humans.

Yes, the reef shark made my heart beat a little faster and my breathing increase but isn't that what makes the adventure more exciting? Sorry, no pictures cause our water proof camera needed charging and the shark was actually on a fishing mission and didn't stick around for the photo opportunity! 

The best part of the week was visiting with new and old friends. I love meeting new friends because you get to listen to their adventures with "life"; I already know about my adventures and it is just more fun to compare notes. Another friend that I have in Key West has lived a completely different life adventure than I have. His life choices were not always the easiest paths to follow. Listening to his "life history" in the past two years since our last dinner; makes me so proud of God for being patient with him and I am proud of him for wanting to change his life now. I am reading a wonderful book titled "Love Does" written by Bob Goff. Mr Goff says, "Jesus seemed to say that all we would need to do is to scrape together the pieces of our lives that had fallen on the ground, bring those pieces to Him, and He would start using them" (p.57). I think my friend is willing to "scrape the fallen pieces" finally. 

Here is a pretty picture of one of the many beautiful sunsets in Key West. Harry always makes me stop and look at the sun setting. Sometimes I let myself get frustrated because I am usually in the middle of making dinner, but it is a good habit to stop for the sunset and thank God for the opportunity.

I was going to give you pictures of the beautiful cactus in bloom in our front yard but I got my phone wet so now I am without a phone and the ability to email pictures! What an eye opener as to how dependent on that stupid phone I am and it wasn't even an Iphone! I had insurance so there will be pictures next week because we are going on a multiple night horse back trail ride in the Sonora desert. That should be a good story to tell.....

Lets get started with the first day of exhaustion!

I just retired from a great accounting job working with a very fast growing church at the age of 57. I still have a lot of time to share "what I know" to anyone that wants to listen. The most important thing I want to share with everyone is to shout from the rooftop "live with no regrets".  Life is so fast and short here on earth.

My husband and I have lived very full lives together. We have raised two girls while traveling the world, climbed mountains on multiple continents, ran marathons, scuba dived in multiple countries, rode our tandem bikes across American (with our girls), and ride our road bikes, mountain bikes, motorcycles, and our horses! The day is not complete unless you put your head down on your pillow exhausted from living the day!

Just this week I flew to Key West, walked 20 miles along the ocean front, ran multiple miles, kayaked 7 miles, finished knitting a hat for my grand daughter, made a quilted bag and Christmas present for another grand daughter, fished and help catch four beautiful lobsters for dinner, went out to dinner with friends, and spent quality time with my husband discussing our next adventures. Life is full.

Join me in encouraging each other to continue our pursuit in making sure that you finish this life with "no regrets".

Diane