Take the Leap

It's Leap Day! February 29, 2012 has really been an ordinary day - but there are some extraordinary facets that have made it special. I started the day with an ordinary workout with some extraordinary women. In spin class, I found out that an acquaintance of mine is having a baby boy today! Neal came home briefly just after lunch and I found a long-lost picture that I'd been searching for - maybe for four years!

I haven't given Leap Day much thought or much meaning over the years. For instance, I can't tell you what I did last February 29. I do know that in February 2008, Scarlett Sweyer was born, I did a 5K in Myrtle Beach and George Clooney was a hot topic - isn't he always? In February of 2004, my bet is that I was helping ACE launch his own engineering firm and running my own Mary Kay business!

I suppose this leap year - coming on the heels of last year's big birthday - could be something significant. It could be seen as something like a new year - a bigger chunk than twelve months, but shorter than a decade. It's easy to make goals one year at a time. I've already made some big goals for 2012:  I am doing 12 events in 2012 - one for each month. I've planned a few fun triathlons (including a relay with my niece) and my first century ride (in the mountains!). 

In the days leading up to today, the thought actually crossed my mind: how will I define myself by next leap year? Where will the achievements of this year, put me in 2016?

The logical place for me to start: ONE WORD. If I were to choose one word for the next four years, it would be ARRANGE. By definition, arrange means to put in order, to make preparations, to plan. I'm pretty good at arranging. I love to put things in order. I LOVE to plan. So the word seems a no-brainer. But, there are two things that I love to do: write and coach. It seems that I'm not good at arranging my life to do those to things. I've been an amazing-jane-of-all-trades for years. I can juggle a cosmetic business, web design, coaching, newsletter editing, fundraising and event planning all in one day. It's what makes me a Gumbo Girl.

What if I dropped everything and arranged my day to write and coach? What if I said no to the things that don't fall into those categories? What if I chose to coach spin classes or triathletes or write blog entries or books or articles on spin classes and triathletes? What if I take that leap?

I'll keep you posted! Until then, take care.

TaTaForNow!