The Seasons Are a Changin'

Bob Dylan sings, "The times they are a changing."  

This is a post of the possible changes and "What's next?" for the AMS journey.

Winter

Running in a Iowa winter blizzard (Kingsley to Orange City)

Protecting my face from the elements

 Spring

Running from Webster City to Ames in Spring.  Flowers on the side of the road.

Yes, those are IronMan sunglasses.  

Summer

Running to Waterloo Iowa.  Super hot summer in Iowa.  Had to stay in Independence a night due to extreme heat.  

This particular summer running day, I consumed eight 24-ounce waters, six 32-ounce Gatorades, a camel back, and additional fluids.  The summer was very hot & humid.  The toughest run was Iowa City to Grinnell.

Which brings us to Fall AKA Autumn... the changing of the seasons.

• Trees shed their leaflets.  
• Days get shorter. 
• It gets colder.
• Sweaters come out of the closets (unless you live in Florida).
• Pumpkins are carved & turned into delicious pies.  
• Coffee shops put out their seasonal nutmeg spiced latte.  

Life is like the seasons.  Change happens and we transition, good for us.  Often times difficult and tough, but ultimately good.  Each person or group of people need challenge, risk, meaning and purpose.  If we aren't finding that in what we are currently pursuing, we feel stagnant or bored, not alive, and we long for the next season, the next change, where we are challenged and hopefully come alive.  

I write this blog post, cause the Awake My Sole journey has experienced the four seasons of Iowa: Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall.  

The AMS dream began in 2007 amidst conversation in a office entry way.  It's now three months till the running portion of the AMS journey ENDS. Many have asked, "What's the next season of the AMS journey?"  

We're not sure yet.  We're in a waiting period, seeking discernment inspired by the Creator and wisdom from others.  

Some of ideas include:

• Get someone else to RUN/Speak the AMS route.
• Write something about the AMS journey.
• Have a summer relay run across the state of Iowa to help raise $$$ to build water wells.
• Continue the journey, maybe across another state.  
• Continue to speak.    
• End the AMS journey.  Wrap it up, let it be what is was.
• Start a mentoring program for younger boys, combing running/mentoring together
• Have an Awake My Sole speaking tour with multiple runners.
• Your idea: ___________________________.    

Keep AMS in your thoughts and prayers as we discern what's next.  

Here are some Autumn pics... Enjoy!!!   

Stepping out of your comfort zone

On Friday I got to speak at Grinnell Mutual.

It happens to be the nation's largest reinsurance company.  To be honest, I didn't know what a reinsurance company was; in fact I didn't even know they existed.  Pretty much, they are insurance companies for insurance companies.  

  

It has over 700 employees and has been established as a business for over a century, founded in 1909.

Outside of the Grinnell Mutual building

Normally, I speak to students.  If you are wondering, my favorite age group happens to be middle school students.  Some people might find that crazy, but it's true.

Speaking to middle school students earlier in the week in Grinnell

 When I was asked to come speak at Grinnell Mutual, I welcomed the opportunity.  You see, I welcome all speaking opportunities. 

It was an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and grow.  So I did. 

Walking around the pond at Grinnell Mutual.  They really take care of their workers.(pic by Dan McCue) 

And yes, it was very uncomfortable.  Especially the days leading up to speaking at Grinnell Mutual.  I would go by their building and think "Wow!  That's a big building, what could I possibly share to inspire challenge and equip their employees?"

I went and spoke.  It went really well.  The people laughed at my stories, asked good questions, and hopefully were challenged.  I gave it my all.  That's all I could do.

It challenged me to step outside of the normal routine, and as a result, I grew, and know I have the experience of speaking to business-minded adults.

Some SWAG from Grinnell Mutual.  Woot!!!

Some pointers about stepping out of your comfort zone

:Be yourself:
YOU are the best thing about you.  No one is like you, use that to your advantage.  I went into Grinnell Mutual being confident with myself.  I didn't try to be someone I wasn't.  I'm a runner and speaker who happens to be running and speaking across the state of Iowa.  I didn't try to pretend I knew things about business.  I was myself, and it worked out really well.

:Prepare Well and accept the possibility of failure:
Whatever you are talking on, or sharing about, prepare well.  Put forth your best effort.  This applies to every new, exciting, risky and unknown endeavor.  You may fail, but at least you put forth your best.

:Welcome New Opportunities:
Be ready for new and "not-normal" opportunities.  Welcome them.  They help you to not be so stagnant.  Shake things up a bit.  Do things you don't normally do.

After sharing about the Awake My Sole journey, some people from the group walked around the pond
 

What opportunity is beckoning you?  

Maybe it's speaking to middle school students.