Usually, I try to make my blogs all bright, sunny and happy. Paxton’s antics help me do this.  He’s such a doofus.  HA!

However,

Things have seemed a bit dark as of late.  That’s why I haven’t blogged for a while.  MFH (My Favorite Husband is back from his travels and that has been the very bright spot in all of this!  YAY for MFH!!!

You all know about my weight loss and my beginnings in running and the small successes that I have encountered lately.  It was been a very encouraging time for me!  It has been good.

For those of you not on my MFP FL, let me share something wonderful that happened last Thursday.  A week ago today.

I received a private invitation to a prestigious marathon.  This is an event that pops up on many a runner’s bucket list.  I was flattered and surprised seeing as I didn’t follow this event on social media at all.  They were offering me some travel and lodging perks along with the race.  It was a very. generous. offer.

Seeing as this race really wasn’t going to fit into my schedule, I had thanked them politely but declined their very generous offer.

I had mentioned to MFH the offer.  He recognized it for the high compliment that it was and congratulated me on it all the while relieved that I didn’t want to go to this event.  Hahaha!!!  He’s so cute!  🙂

My sister, also, was impressed and offered the same Kudos as MFH as did the people on my FL on MFP and my running groups on FB.  They all recognized it for what it was.  A recognition of all the hard work that’s been put into my running and their way of saying, “Great job!”

It was nice.

I told two people in my family of this as well.  They were not impressed.  They informed me that this was of no interest to them and seeing as I was a woman in my 50’s, I didn’t need to be told, “Congratulations” or “Good job” or any type of praise for my efforts.  I was told to grow up.

To be honest, I had the wind knocked out of my sails!  I was flabbergasted!  EVERYBODY needs positive re-reinforcement!

EVERYBODY!!!

Life is difficult.  We work hard.  It doesn’t matter what our goals/objectives are, we just need the recognition and praise that we have made an effort in that way.

Encouragement goes a long, long way in helping a person work harder to improve.

So, those people took that complement and told me that it was worthless.  They told me it was just “Spam” because no-body would invite me to their event.

Thanks.

Just, Thanks.

That’s when I came back to y’all.  I had mentioned to you earlier in the day about the offer.  I had been busy with…life…you know how that happens, and I had just hopped back on the board to say, “Hi!” and to see how everybody was doing.  You know…

There, in front of me, were the nicest comments I had ever read in all my life!  Y’all were the absolute best!  I can’t thank you enough!  You have proven to me that people really do care and do encourage each other.

It doesn’t matter to you that I am in my 50’s.  You recognize the fact that even though I’m no spring chicken, a little pat on the back goes a long, long way!

Thank you!!!

You’ll find this funny.  At least I hope you will because it was hilarious at the time.  Last night, MFH and I were discussing this and MFH made a comment that I won’t repeat here but my reply sent us both laughing and laughing and laughing.  The reply?  “Mean People Suck!!!”

Hahaha!!!

I don’t want to be a mean person!  Seriously, I don’t!  I want to be an encourager.  I want to be a joyous person!  I want to be remembered as a person who would encourage you and laugh with you and make you WANT to work harder towards your goals.  NOT a person who would tear you down.

A friend of mine on FB today posted a Bible verse that put it all quite nicely:

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11a

That is my goal in life.  Hope it is yours as well.

Back to happy posts tomorrow!!!  Happy Thursday!!!  🙂