Day 91: Spring sprung some new goals!

Oh my goodness, thank goodness, it's finally April! If you read the post from earlier today, you understand the great significance of this statement. It's most definitely spring time and I am feeling as youthful and jumpy as a spring rabbit, espeically those that avoided being eaten. You don't eat rabbit? hmm. I did once.

With the dawning of a new month, a clean slate lays before me. Before the opportunity escapes me, I'm going to quickly scribble all over it! Guess what? I'm still a kid at heart. So per the intentional living plan, I've got some goals to share with you, but I haven't yet determined which will steal the theme-y colored light for the month. (what color is theme-y? I'm over lime.)

Social
Socially this month, I planned on trying to find another volunteer organization to meet new people. If this last weekend is any indication of the beautiful weather approaching, I want nothing more than to be outside in the sunshine. Today, I registered with Habitat for Humanity, but it looks like they've got most weekend construction days booked (go figure). I'm also considering a part time job, bike classes, woodworking classes, something social. I'll keep looking. That's my goal there: I'll keep looking for new groups with new friends. Don't take that so personally old friends; I love you old friends.

Intellectual
My intellectual goal this month is to finish writing the COMPASS math test study guide I started for Candis. If you're not familiar, COMPASS is a math, reading, writing test loosely based upon the ACTs that is used to determine a person's subject placement at community colleges. I'm also using this as a testing ground for a future self-employment plan that has been brewing for a while.

Spiritual
This month I will write to the future me about what I'm trying to do this year, about what's going through my head, about my dreams, about my fears. I'm going to use www.futureme.org for this process. I will write at least one letter to be delivered one year from the date I send it. I think this exercise will be quite self-reflective and perhaps a year from now I'll have forgotten about it and past me will offer future me some wonderful insights into our psyche.

Physical
This month I will ride my bike at least 350 miles. Boom! Writing that was sure easy, now for the implementation. I'm playing along with my big brother's training for ride the rockies, only I'm not going to impose any specefic climbing requirements and I have a seemingly unlimited amount of oxygen available at sea level. I'll save the details for future posts. If you're wondering, yes, he is fact cray-cray. Also, yes, I do live with a teenager, that is the proper vernacular, but vernacular is not.

So that's it, spring has sprung and I'm to a running start!
Love,
Lydia

Day 63-90: March, the lost month

As I am sure you are aware, I posted nearly nothing in March. I posted something quite important early in the month; I threw a picture of me and my adorable niece up on day 63 to let you know I was distracted and didn't have much to say. As truthful as I was being, saying I was distracted, that post was a cop out.  I thought about that post, or that lack of a full post for much of the month of March:

• I thought about saying St. Baldricks was just so awesome and I haven't recovered. (False, while St. B's was awesome, life went on and my hair is quickly returning) 
• I thought about how I hadn't updated you on February's goals.
• I thought about how March had already begun and I hadn't announced any goals (or even set any goals for that matter.
• I thought about saying I'm sorry, and then I talked myself out of that.
• I thought about how I was just like the New Year Resolutioners, "It's March and I've given up."
• I thought mostly about failure.

In all honesty, as the month progressed any thought of my blog turned into a self-imposed fear induced paralysis of cognitive ability.

Obviously March wasn't entirely so horrific, but I would be blatantly lying to you if I said, "Ah shoot I was just so busy living life intentionally that I didn't have time to write." March was a pretty decent bike riding, book reading, and ambition planning month. I may not have posted a blog, but lots of thoughts (read: blog fuel) have been brewing in my head. For now, if you'll allow it, I'd like to declare March the lost month. I'm just going to get on with it and no longer allow March to hold me down.

Now that it's April, as soon as I push publish, the lost month is off my shoulders.

A quick follow up on February:

Spiritual
I have a board posted in my closet to use to status goals, but I'm not to "blame" for that success. Candis hung it up there for me one day.

Intellectual
I did not working portion of my home built desk... until this past weekend. (Yeah March!)

Physical
I survived my first organized bike ride! I learned some lessons on how to do that better in the future, and I promptly signed up for two more plus some classes.

Social 
As the theme category for February, Social was a big winner, so big it did spill over into March. I surpassed my goal to raise $2,000 for St. Baldricks by raising $3000! I was the highest individual fundraiser in all of Seattle and I made some great contacts within the organization. I plan to either take over the existing Seattle event, or start my own next year. For those familiar with the event in Chicago, it's a whole new ball game out here in the PNW. Thank you everyone for your love and support!

Days 59-63: Distracted

Sorry everyone. As you can see I had a 14lb distraction the last couple of days. I owe you a recap of February and some goals for March. Coming soon!

Day 42-54: Answers

I sat down with someone very important to me, myself, and I conducted an interview.

****************************************************************************

What are you doing?

I'm shaving my head to raise money for children's cancer research! This will be my third time.

Oh really?! When?

Yes. Really! Saturday, March 9th, 2013. You could come watch, if you are free that day.

Where would one go to watch such a spectacle?

Fado Irish Pub, Seattle, Washington. You could also donate money, here: 

http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/lydiabenger

Now, for the tough question, Why?

I knew you'd ask that question. Of course I knew because you're me and I know what I'm thinking... sometimes.

I prepared for this question. I prepared for a damn long time. 12 days actually.

Most of my readers, I imagine, already know why I shaved my head the first time in March 2008 and again in March 2009. After that I embarked on my bigforkadventure and took a swing at growing up. I listened to those voices in my head that told me it was time to grow up, time to be an adult,  Now it's been 4 years since the wind whipped across my bald head, and I've got plenty of hair to show for it. I've got 4 years worth of long, luxurious, golden, blonde hair.

Consider, of course, the Numbers 
Every 3 minutes, globally, a child is diagnosed with cancer.
In the United States (where some of the better healthcare is available), 1 in 5 will not survive.
And of those that survive, 2 out of 3 will suffer long term effects from treatment.

I decided in January, that St. Baldrick's would be one of my major accomplishments this year, so I've been kicking the idea around in my head for a bit. Initially, I have to admit, my involvement was somewhat selfish. I missed it; I missed being involved in something greater than me, something that matters. I wanted to feel that feeling of doing "great work" again. I couldn't accept that, shaving my head to make me feel good about me. I burrowed into my thoughts (which is why it has taken me most of February to write this blog). I asked myself over and over again, Why? I read old posts from years past. I read the speeches I gave before the events in 2008 and 2009. 

Despite all this internal searching, the answer didn't come until I talked to others. 

Talking to Candis

I told Candis I was really struggling to write this out. She pulled my nose out of my laptop, looked me in the eyes, and said, "Well then, just tell me why. Why are you doing this?" I told her about Lizzie from Kearney, Nebraska. I told her about how my freshman year of college I read this heart wrenching blog mostly by Lizzie's mom that told her family's story of love and loss during Lizzie's battle with cancer. Their story, while unique to them, has too many themes common among families battling cancer. Buried in all their pain was this quote from Lizzie:

 "My goal in life is to impact and change as many people's lives as I can. I want as many people as possible to know how important it is to enjoy life as much as possible. I feel like I'm supposed to help people to see how important it is to enjoy what you have when you have it. I love helping people, and I think the more people, who can enjoy their lives the better the world will be. I believe that you never know when things can change, so you need to enjoy things while you have them. Carpe diem, or seize the day!"

I said to Candis, "Lizzie's the reason I did it the first time. When I think about reading that the first time, quoting it again at my event in 2008, and reading it again now, I think, 'Here is a 14 year old who gets it; she gets life.' I mean 2013 for me is about living life intentionally, and that's the spirit I get from Lizzie when I read what she wrote."

To that Candis said, "See. There's your reason."

Talking to Coworkers

Armed with a self printed St. Baldrick's business card, I approached coworkers and asked for their hard earned money, and another answer to why stumbled out my mouth.  

I slowly talked to individual coworkers about shaving my head for St. Baldricks. I started with the safe ones, the guys and gals I felt most comfortable around. I moved on to sitting in the lunch room just waiting for the opportune moment to tell somebody about my cause. Next was the VP of engineering, followed by a sit down in the office of the company president. Finally, at the prodding of a few individuals, I said the following at the weekly staff meeting:

I'm shaving my head on Saturday, March 9^th in solidarity with children fighting cancer.

I'm doing this, also, to raise money to fund childhood cancer research.

My goal is to raise a minimum of 2000 dollars.

I will personally match 10 percent of all donations before the event.

Fine Print: My maximum contribution is 500, as I have to pay my rent.

St. Baldricks is an organization I whole-heartedly support.

I've been involved with them since late 2007.

I've spent the last 4 years growing my hair out, and in 17 days

I will shave my head for the 3^rd time.

As a marine engineer, I don't expect to cure any cancer.

But since cancer affects us all, I want to help any way I can.

Hair and Money I have.

Both I can give.

Will you help?  

The take away from talking with my coworkers, both individually and in mass, is found in the last portion of my spiel. My working life does not take on my larger purpose in life. I have a responsibility to impact the world in a positive, giving way. St. Baldricks helps me fulfill this responsibility, this need.

Okay, okay, okay, could you maybe summarize all that rambling? Why are you shaving your head?

I have a desire, a responsibility even, to intentionally impact the world for the better.

Don't you?

http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/lydiabenger

Day 40: A Quote

"Take control of your life by simply realizing that it is worth the trouble to become the person you're meant to be."

Simple. Now get it done.

Short, quick post this morning from my mobile telephone device. I'm off for a chilly bike ride!

Day 37: My favorite number and an update on the numbers

37! I just love that number, not real sure when our love affair truly started. Alas, love is love.

Just wanted to pop in and give you a quick update on some of February's goals.

Social
So far I've set up my St. Baldricks page (here). I've talked about it a few times on facebook and I'm easing into telling people at work. I want to have one on one conversations with as many of my coworkers as possible as opposed to blasting their emails or plastering the break room with handouts. Cancer is personal. I want to make my discussions personal. Thus far, I'm 2.5% on my way to $2000.

Physical
On Tuesday morning at 10 am sharp, I registered for the Chilly Hilly! There is no turning back now. Today I discovered this little gem just down the street from my house, Cycle University. I read some really great reviews, packed up my bike and went down for a quick check up. The service was great! The mechanic gave my bike a quick once over, tightened a few things up and found a magnet I was missing. This was all free of charge. I'll be back. Once I got home, I set up the trainer and rode 15 miles! I'm hoping the weekend is clear with a little bit of sunshine because I'd love to put in some actual road miles.


Here's proof of today's ride:

Day 32: Today is a BIG day!

Wrapping Up January

January was the first month of living intentionally. I'd say it went pretty well. There is room for improvement, but how much fun would this be if I achieved everything I wanted in the first 31 days?! Let's recap:

The big month theme was Spiritual. I set out to get a handle on the whole idea of living intentionally. I came up with a plan. Each month will have a big theme goal and three smaller themes. I came up with a few big things I want to do this year and started planning it all out. I'll be sure to clue you in on each goal as they become pertinent.

The Physical intention was to run 2 miles under 20 minutes. Check. That. Box.19:50.

Intellectual goal was to live by a written budget. I did this. After totaling everything up, we came in $120 over budget. Over budget not so great, but I think it was within margin. I have a better understanding of where the money is going and where we need to buckle down. Trend wise, we started out the month under budget and on track, then I think we got comfortable a let go a little. February will be interesting (fun)!

Socially, I said I'd blog 10 times... fail. I'm sorry. I'll do better.

February!

Can you believe it's already February? I guess it's time for a new set of goals.

Spiritual 

This intention will be on the smaller side this month. Last month I mentioned that I had a pin board sitting around the house which I wanted to use as an intentional living visual tracking system. I'll post a picture when I finish it.

Intellectual 

I guess it's going to be a bit of a crafty month. Intellectually I want to focus on creating an actual desk surface for my desk. Something tells me the Ikea side table pinned to the wall just won't cut it too much longer.

Physical
Ladies and Gents, Chilly Hilly
This will be my first attempt at an actual bike ride. with. other. people.
I've got some indoor riding to do. STAT.

Social
And now, the BIG news, the big theme intention.

I'm a little nervous, honest.

This month's social goal will spill over into March a little bit, about 9 days into March.

On March 9th, 2013, I will once again shave my head to raise money for childhood cancer. My goal is to raise at least $2000, and I'm hoping your loving valentine filled hearts will help me achieve this. Also if you're in the area, I hope you can make it to the event to support me (or shave your own head!)

Click here to see my donation page, to make a donation, or check out my progress.


Thanks for continuing to support me as I intentionally take on life!
Love,
Lydia