I think I will

After thinking things over, I've decided to continue writing a weekly (or a variation thereof) blog. I have been thinking about this for awhile now. And the desire to do so propelled me to finalize this decision in my head.
So here I am, back home from my partial run across the US which included run/walking from Maine to (almost) New York. I was about 40 miles from the New York border when I traveled back home. I feel good about not being out on the road alone, due to my running partner needing to stop. Which brings me to my current topic I'm working on. I have many areas in my life I focus on improving, changing, or mulling over at any given time. It's like a myriad of topics which I juggle, which seems like a metaphor in life. We juggle so many things, all the time.
This topic pertains to my ability to handle saying "No". I said "no" to continue a journey across the US alone, for many reasons. But what's most important to me, was my new ability to say "no" and be okay with it. When I said "no" to myself (along with my family's request) regarding this decision, it had greater meaning in my life.
Sometimes saying "no" brings about guilt, unrest, self-judgement, or doubt. It can leave us feeling like we might disappoint others, or even ultimately, ourselves. Many times in my life, I have felt like I wasn't able to say "no" when I probably should have.
This all changed this past August. While out on the road run/walking, I listened to many Podcasts. One in particular was my favorite: Dear Sugars. You'll recognize one of the 'Sugars', as she's Cheryl Strayed who wrote the book Wild. (The other 'Sugar' is Steve Almond). In many of their Podcasts, they have a featured guest who contribute to the conversation, as well. They do a fantastic job at answering questions, from letters, that are written to them. It's usually topic-related, and there was one topic that spoke to me. The Power of No. The featured guest on this podcast was Oprah Winfrey. There are so many details I want to write down about this Podcast, but instead, I think it would be best for this information to come directly from the Podcast itself. There is a Part I and Part II! Oprah, along with Cheryl and Steve, give advice - and ways - they have improved their ability to say No, and more importantly: Why they chose to say No. I felt that Oprah's personal struggle in life to learn to say No was empowering. It changed how I looked at it......completely.
This new outlook on the simple ability of knowing when to say No, has changed the way I look at everything. Mostly, it has given me the permission slip I needed, to do so. It has assisted me in moving through what could have been a personal struggle, but instead, turned into a life lesson.

I learn so much from Podcasts! My favorites are, of course, Dear Sugars. I also enjoy Ted Radio Hour, Serial, Criminal and This American Life. I look forward to hearing what your favorite Podcasts are. They give me a wonderful listening alternative while driving (or biking/running) to work.  Or quite frankly, anytime. I really like the variety offered on the Ted Radio Hour ones. It's limitless learning.

Here's to a wonderful Tuesday!
Cyndi