thoughtful Thursday

I thought this quote was appropriate, since we seem to be in the never-ending winter. I took the photo at the Morton Arboretum back in December, when winter's cold and snow were a novelty.

I'm trying out a new app to manipulate quotes on my photos; not sure I'm happy with the final result of this one yet, but that's what the editing process is for. (And it's why I'm a writer/editor instead of a designer!)

Stay Positive

Starting the week off with a dose of positive: 

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. 
W. Clement Stone

(My One Little Word for 2014 is Positive.)

It can be hard to stay positive when you're around people who have phrases like "you can't," "that would never work," and "it's too hard to do it that way,"  embedded in their vocabulary -- and then don't understand why you disagree. 

I had a conversation full of those words at a Deaf event Friday night. I won't go in to details -- they aren't the point. The point is that your attitude does indeed make a huge difference. Negativity is so energy-sapping, a waste of time, and just holds you back from your potential. 

When you're a child, it's so easy to take the words "you can't" as a challenge to go and defy the odds. When you're an adult with an invisible disability, jaded by the years, you start to wonder if the words "you can't" just might be true. You need reminders they're just words, tools to stay strong, positive thinking to push back against the negative.  

Imagine my smile when I opened my blog feed to see today's topic over at Marc and Angel Hack Life  (one of my favorite blogs): 15 Powerful Beliefs that Will Free You from Negativity. Timely advice. And I really like that the author says he has them written down in his journal so he can look at them to keep them fresh in his mind.  I'm printing the list of 15 beliefs out and keeping it in my journal. I hope you do, too. 

Garfield Park Conservatory

I had a difficult decision to make Saturday: which Instagram photowalk to go to: the IGersChicago one on Northerly Island or the 8x8 Gallery one at Garfield Park Conservatory? In the end, plants and the warm temperatures at the conservatory won out (even though it turned out to be a beautiful Chicago day). 

Some of my favorite shots: 

There was a lot of green! It was nice to experience warm temperatures (and, dare I say it, humidity!) for an hour or two. Spring is a little more than three weeks away! 

--all photos copyright Lisa Florey---

Thoughtful Thursday

Thought for today, as Chicagoland went through sleet, thunderstorms, fog and even some snow -- all in a 24-hour span. (Photo taken on the Oregon Coast, April 2013.)

just keep going

A few weeks ago, I told someone I was considering quitting stepping away from running and focusing on other things. I was not feeling well, frustrated by a bad run, and not enthusiastic about slogging through more mediocre, slow runs. 

But I'm stubborn. I've worked hard to get to where I am: workouts on the treadmill, had a great swim workout, and core- and leg-strengthening workouts. And I just found a wonderful new chiropractor. Chicagoland finally had a day of sunshine and almost-above-freezing temperatures, so I headed to the park for a run outside with Baxter last week -- I figured if the run was bad, we could at least have a nice walk and enjoy the weather.

I surprised myself by running my fastest mile and a half in, well, a long time. I'm not sure who was happier -- me or Baxter. This long winter has not allowed many walks or runs outdoors -- most sidewalks haven't seen a shovel since December. We went out again today and took a quick 1-mile run around the park, but I confused Baxter because we kept turning around. Whoever plowed the paths only cleared about half of the loop. I kept running into plowed "dead ends" of snow piled 4-5 feet high! Of course, Baxter thought we should go through the snow and slush, but I wanted to keep my feet dry! 

So the running continues. The cross-training I'm doing -- strength-training, swimming, yoga, and the elliptical (on the days I don't want to work out!) -- are paying off. I have a St. Patty's 5k coming up March 15 and a time goal forming in my head. 

Also? This is happening:

Gotta work off that pizza! And, um, chocolate. Because spring isn't that far away (29 days, but who's counting?).

happy valentine's day

Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrating with Valentine's chocolate and season 2 of House of Cards. Don't worry, I won't post any spoilers. So far, I've watched episodes 1 & 2 and am going to t.r.y. to ration out the remaining 11. But episode 1? Whoa.

quotables

Abraham Lincoln was born 205 years ago today. I know President's Day isn't until Monday, but who likes postponing (or, if we're being honest, sharing) birthday celebrations? So, happy birthday, Mr. Lincoln!