JAN’S IDEAS

I was sad that I didn’t get to see my family last Saturday, but it worked out great because I was able to attend the Special Olympic competition and take photographs.

Unfortunately, I lost all the photographs I took during the last hour I was there. I’m not sure how which makes it even more frustrating. It’s heartbreaking because I had great photos of our residents competing and receiving their medals, and the photos are gone! They were so proud and put out such effort. The staff that is in charge of the recreation and organizing of Special Olympics for our company assured me that any photos I have are better than no photographs. I still feel bad though.

At Special Olympics last week, there was a race where there was only one competitor. I was waiting for the next race to photograph our residents that were competing. I learned a lot from the chance watching of this particular race.

The lone competitor positioned himself and waited for the gun to go off. When it did, he took off like a champion running with everything he had. His expression was the ultimate example of pure joy and intense effort. When he crossed the finish line he was met with cheers from his staff and those who didn’t know him. He was filled with pride and unbridled excitement as he stood there soaking it all in. One of the law enforcement volunteers escorted him to where he would get a drink and then wait to receive his gold medal.

As I watched this young man race with all his might, I saw that though I may not be physically and mentally challenged like he is, I did lack his heart. I may not compete alone as he did in a 50-yard dash, but I often am alone in some of my internet ventures. My age, my gender, and my lack of experience challenges me often in the world of netpreneurs.

What I learned from a Special Olympic competitor:

• Run full-speed even when there is no competition
• Give it everything I have, I could receive gold for my efforts
• Enjoy my personal moments of glory
• Look around, I’m probably not alone, there may be people I don’t know cheering me on
• If someone offers to escort me to receive my reward, I should follow
• I should refresh myself after a race well run
• When it’s time to receive my reward, step up on the platform, and accept it graciously with unrestrained joy and pride

To find out if there is a reward waiting for you at the finish line you need to run the race and put your heart into it!

I haven’t accomplished as much as I would’ve liked on my 47 day challenge. I did decide to cut my losses and focus on Jan’s Group Home Support and my paid writing jobs. I have been successful in focusing on that.

Not only did I have excessive down time with my previous hosting service, I had some overtime with my wage-earning job. I work in a group home and one of the resident’s behaviors got so severe we no longer could provide service to him. Until he was able to be placed with a different service provider, he had two staff with him at all times. It was nice for the overtime, but there was less time for internet projects.

I never made it to see my granddaughter (again ) because she was sick and so was my daughter-in-law. I also had car problems again last Sat. It was an easy fix-the starter modulator. I was at work instead of on the side of the interstate this time! We have plans again this weekend to get together. Bob’s birthday is this week, so his wife organized a BBQ at Bob’s dad’s house (his dad and I get along even though we have been divorced for nearly 20 years!). We are all looking forward to all getting together.

I did loose the weight I gained and am at 136 lbs this morning, which is 3 lbs less than when I started the challenge. I doubt I’ll get to the target weight of 129 by next Monday, but will see how close I can get.

For Jan’s Group Home Support launch, I need to get a flyer done to take to the office. They have a manager’s meeting today and everyone will be at the office and checking their boxes.