No yardsticks,no stopwatch, no ledgers can ever measure
Success
Touching a human heart
Sharing courage, faith, trust
Success
Being bold, taking a risk, stretching the soul
Success
Being vulnerable, being real, loving and being loved
Success
Passion, purpose, reaching for the stars
Success
Feeling freedom
Success
Setting ego aside
Success
Finding meaning in suffering
Success
Holding onto hope against all odds
Success
Feeling joy
Success
Feeling peace
Success
Knowing I am a Divine Child of God
SUCCESS!
This past week I have been incredibly blessed to share my journey on two blog talk radio shows, It's All About You and Moon, Moo & You and at the Merrimack Valley Striders Club - a running club on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Darien and Darius, the hosts of It's All About You also did a You Tube video to recap the show. I realize the magnitude of my journey; I am overwhelmed and humbled.
When I left the Department of Veterans Affairs in May 2007, I knew that I needed to heal my life. I had no idea the path that would open before me and I had no idea that I would find myself passionate about bringing awareness to polio and post polio syndrome. I had no idea that I would join with Rotary Club International to help End Polio Now and create a polio free world. I had no idea that I would be a public speaker or a Boston Marathon finisher.
After I spoke at the Merrimack Valley Striders Club, a woman came up to me and said, (paraphrasing) I'm about your age. I did not experience any physical affliction but I never played tag or pursued any athletics. She told me that she joined the club as a 'walker' and is hoping to be able to run some day. Her eyes filled with tears as she told me that my story was amazing and she was touched and inspired by how I had transformed from hating my body. Through the gift of post polio syndrome, I connected with my body for the first time in my life at the age of 53. She was so hopeful that she too would be able to run. I asked her to please stay in contact with me and let me know how she is doing. I would be delighted to offer her support and encouragement. She was amazed that I would offer to do that. My hope is that through the love and outstretched hand I offered, she would light the flame of self love within her own heart.
Running is a beautiful metaphor - it's about the freedom, it's about the knowing who you are deep inside, it's about having the confidence to run your own race and to run with heart. It's about showing up and doing your best. Success is not measured by the time on the clock but by expressing the love, strength, beauty and courage that lies deep inside each and every one of us as we run the marathon course of life.
Mary McManus,the author of "New World Greetings:Inspirational Poetry and Musings for a New World" is a former award winning social worker, a polio/post polio survivor and a Boston Marathon finisher. She generously donates 20% of book proceeds to Spaulding Rehab's Polio Fund to help polio and polio survivors around the world. You can contact Mary through her website at www.newworldgreetings.com
User Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus