Falling Forward [Tomber en avant]

Good Day, Beautiful People!

Sometimes life gets in your way. Things happened or some situations made you so frustrated and overwhelmed.

Last Monday was one of those days. Woke up late, in a hurry to get to work. Next minute, I ended missing a step, doing random gravity check, kissing the “holy ground”, trying to be a hero saving my laptop! It always looks and sounds so hilarious when you watch it on TV, especially on Australia Funniest Home Videos unless it happens to be you. Go ahead, laugh at my expense if you have good imagination. At least, I manage to make your day. Thank God, I’ve no broken bones. Only swollen ankles and knees, bruised ego, palms, sore elbows, shoulders and lower back.
Well, I guess prayers, TLC (tender, loving, care) from family and friends are great support, painkillers, massages and physiotherapy were my best buddies.

As if that is not enough, this Monday I twisted my left hip for no good reason. Medical explanation is my body trying to overcompensate due to pain. Some are more inclined with divine explanation may feel is a spiritual attack. Sound more to me like a pathetic and annoying drama one after another. Seriously, I do not have time to slow down. I resent even more when I am forced to rest, especially when timing is all wrong. I am sure some of you can relate to this.

This got me thinking. When we were young, as toddlers we learnt to fall before we learnt to walk. Each fall a child learns to gauge better. Eventually, a child learns to stabilise and walk with confidence. Before you know that child is running like a roadrunner. Figuratively and literally speaking, we all have to learn to fall and fail before we can get up, shake it off and start the process all over again till we succeed.

Question is as an adult how many of us really apply this principle. We can choose to sit there and sulk, even throw ourselves a pity party or we can choose to dust ourselves off, get up, stabilise, try again and again, move forward till we accomplish and triumph. The sooner we choose to get up and try again the better we recover and get back on our race lane. Is good to have that simple childlike mentality, have the spirit of perseverance, persistence, bravery, courage, determination, dedication, willpower, assurance, steadfastness, conviction and confidence to do it till we get there. Can you imagine how good this is for our soul, mind and body.

In case you are feeling, deflated, burnt out, blue, disappointed and discouraged today, yet you have made it this far. So I consider that is really strong and courageous. The moment when you feel like quitting is the moment when you need to keep pushing. Often the temptation to quit will be greatest just before you about to succeed. I am sure you heard of this saying, “God is up to something or the devil wouldn’t be fighting you this hard. You’re going to win!” Hope this encourage you somehow to get up again and give another go regardless how distasteful the situation you are in.

Below are some inspiration quotes for you to ponder:
Even when you fall down on your face, you’re still moving forward. – Victor Kiam
The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but is rising after you fall. – Vince Lombardi
If you fall behind, run faster, never give up, never surrender and rise up against the odds. – Jesse Jackson
The greatest glory in living is lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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MonAnge
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Photos from Pinterest & me.

Run Baby Run ( Do Something New Part 2)

Good Day, Beautiful People!
Last Saturday, the day before the run. I nearly quit since I injured my hamstrings on Friday. The ‘Angelic’ part of my mind says “Come on, you can do it!” But the ‘Devilish’ part of my mind says “No! You’re in pain! What if you can’t finish the run? It will be so embarassing!” Guess what, the ‘angelic’ part of my mind win the debate. I was determined to finish what I signed up for even I had to walk & be the last to finish the race. Since I was reminded of these living word:
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? (‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ NIV)
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ NIV)

I was too excited to sleep well and a bit anxious that I overslept. The beautiful sunrise photo above I took it on the Sunday, 10/8/14, on my way to city to surf. A pretty chilly winter morning about 8 degree Celsius. My muscles were frozen stiff. Trying my best to stretch as much as I can.

Incredible atmosphere, 85000 people young and old running the city to surf 14km course from city centre to Bondi Beach, including the infamous ‘heartbreak hill’. Even RedFoo was there. Many spectators cheering the runners all the way! According to news, this is the 44th year, the annual event has already raised over $4,000,000 for charity.

My team were doing as fast as they could. I told my friends to go ahead, I just had to do at my own pace since my muscles are in spasm initially. It is only after 2km I was not in acute pain that I can start to pave myself to run.

Half way through the run, someone said Hi to me. I was surprised to one of the Hope103.2 team by my side. I said I thought I was the last of Hope team. She smiled ” No, you are not. I am the last one of the Hope team.” Seriously, Suzanne is like an angel sent from Heaven to encourage me along the way when my muscles went into spasm. She kept speaking to me along the course “You’re doing very well.” “Are you ok?” “How is your hamstrings doing?” “You’re doing good as a first timer!” “You can do it! You nearly there. Only 4 more km to go.”
I told Suzanne “I’m going to charge last last few km. Will meet her at the finish line at Hope 103.2 stand.” She answered “Go ahead! See you later.”

I ran my best as I knew I was close to finish line. Well, I was a bit disappointed that I took 139min53sec. Certainly, not my personal best but is best for now! The fun part after finished the race was getting my medal. I felt a sense of satisfaction that I actually did it!!!

Imagine after the run, tried to get to your team navigating in a sea of people and was given 3 wrong instruction for a run around. In my mind, I thought I would be able to meet Suzanne at Hope103.2 stand. Yet in reality, by the time, I turned up is nearly 12noon at Hope stand. I was a bit annoyed with myself for not doing all the way with her. Because I wanted to say proper thank you to her kindness to me and cheering me on when my body not 100%. Suzanne Bennett was really such an ANGEL that God sent to me during the run. Truly, is people like her that make the world a nicer place. I may not be given a chance to thank her personally. So I will pay tribute to her here.

Sadly, I heard the bad news of a 27 years old guy, a Fox Sports employee, Chris Head, a fitness fanatic went into cardiac arrest and claimed his life shortly at the end of the run. Life is so short and fragile, my thoughts and prayers for the family.

Through this experience, I learnt that running the race is not just for the young, you will be surprise that some 80 years old can run faster than me. It is about inspiration, motivation, training, endurance, encouragement, perseverance, determination, willpower, focus, moral support and divine guidance.

This remind me of the living word:
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭29-31‬ NIV)

Hope now you are inspired to try something new. Love to hear from you about a new thing you are going to do or doing or had a new experience.
Last but not least, another HUGE THANKS to all my AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL and GENEROUS SUPPORTERS who HELP me to raise funds to a great CAUSE! I could not have done it without you all!
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Mon Ange
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Run Baby Run (Do something New)

Good day, Beautiful people!
Today, I am sharing with you something I never ever do before. Is always good to challenge yourself to do new things, see something for the first time or learn a new skill or go for a new adventure. We never ever graduate from learning in this world till we are promoted and change your address to Heaven.

As a child, you are in for new things. Each day you wake up to learn new things and of course you go to formal or home school to educate yourself and equip yourself. Enrol yourself with extra activities like sports, arts, drama and dancing. Most of us when we become adults doing or experience new things are optional or even non existence. Ask yourself: “When is the last time you try something new for the first time or have a new adventure or a new experience even something outside your comfort zone?

God, the Creator of Universe, love new things and love doing a new thing!!!
Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. (‭Psalms‬ ‭33‬:‭3‬ NLT)
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19‬ NLT)
Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! (‭Psalms‬ ‭96‬:‭1‬ NLT)
They are brand new, not things from the past. So you cannot say, ‘We knew that all the time!’ (‭Isaiah‬ ‭48‬:‭7‬ NLT)
Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ NLT)
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19‬ NLT)

Last month, I signed up city to surf, a 14km run. Some people think I am insane. Some people are not happy about my decision thinking I’ll kill myself doing it. Others who are cheering me on and supporting my crazy new project running for a good cause.
Before my health was compromise, I was fit and able to do walking, jogging, cross country running, gym workout, Pilate and a bit of Zumba. After my operation, I was not as fit as I used to be.
I choose to BELIEVE my Jesus has healed me totally! I declare healing and my strong army of faith filled people praying and believe with me.
I choose to take responsibility of taking care of my body. Healthy eating habits, reduce stress level, keep fit and rest.
You know you must be doing something right when start something new, all hell broke loose or things in your world just gone wrong. The enemy is not happy. But ” You just keep smiling at the enemy because this will make him mad knowing God has you covered.” -Bobbie Houston. Guess what, soon after I signed up for this fundraiser run, I was not well. After two course of strong antibiotics, a body procedure, drama, sore body and misunderstanding with two people. Is so easy for me to quit and let the enemy win. I choose the road less travelled. Pause, breathe and smile at the enemy because I know I will have my victory and the last laugh! Continue training… Not my personal best, but is my best for now 14Km in 126.41mins. Afterall, being a slow runner is better than not moving at all. Love this running humour “Slow runners make fast runners look good. You are welcome!”
By the way, if you like to sponsor me for this cause the link is below:
https://city2surf2014.everydayhero.com/au/angela-12
Thank you in advance for stopping by and showing act of kindness. Will post some photos after the event. Stay tune!

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Mon Ange
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NB: Photos from Pinterest.