SWEET! I decided yesterday that I would do anything that needed to be done - and by 'needed' I meant life or death - today by noon and after that I was on mini-vacation. I'm a bachelor tonight (early cocktail hour...hmmmm?) since M is going to her college roommates 50th birthday party and I'm not (long story and not all the interesting - silly Tennessee Volunteers) so I've proclaimed the rest of the day to be National Dan Day! So far it's been pretty good; ran 4 miles this morning with one of my 'padawans'. She is great, but man-o-man is she negative! I mean this girl (lady) has all the ability in the world but she makes Eeyore look like a stand up comedian! It's just that she's had these doubts for so long that I'm having to go "Earnest Angely' on her..."Out devil, OUT!" Doesn't that happen to so many of us? We ran mid-morning and I was so proud of me (working on my negativity too) for reminding myself, "just run" and it not only wasn't 'bad', it was good! So we talked attitude, how it's a habit and if you focus on the positive and MAKE yourself find it then eventually it will become second nature. i.e. a habit! Why are some of us so negative? Why do we doubt ourselves so deeply? Sometimes success isn't enough, we doubt our triumphs, start to belittle them then stare down our next goal. The solution is simple, however putting the solution in practice is really difficult. Negativity is a habit, pure and simple and to change the negativity you have to change your way of thinking. If you go for a run and you continue to repeat to yourself, "this is hard." It will be, and it will get harder! When you feel those doubts creeping in, change your line of thinking; don't just say, "It's easy!" Re-direct your thoughts - look at something and think about it (a building - hmm, who's in there, what kind of view do they have, will they see me if I stop and moon them? Or a creek, or cars...whatever!), or remind yourself to 'run tall' or 'quick step, quick step' or sing '99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall' (2 rules: not out loud and stop at 90). Redirect your thoughts 2 or 3 times and your run is almost over. Then congratulate yourself on your run; no matter how it was: short, far, slow, fast, hot, cold...YOU DID IT! Take pride in the moment. Slowly, day by day, then week by week it will become habit. In Alabama everyone is football crazy and few people are neutral - love or hate Alabama and Nick Saban, he's got it right. He talks about his 'process' - do the little things right in practice (running) and in life and the big things (games/races/long runs/PR's/goals/meeting cute guys or sexy momma's/career) will take care of itself. I guarantee you in one way or another Gene Chizik (and the other coaches) say the same thing in one fashion or another. You do the little things (re-direct your thoughts, congratulate yourself, compliment yourself, DO YOUR RUNS) and you'll find your attitude improving. One last thing, if the people you hang around bring you down, look around for some new playmates - don't be like the frog in the pot. Frog's in a pot on the stove and the heat is gradually increased until the water is boiling. Frog won't jump out, he'll stay until, well, until he 'stews'. You stay with negative people and you'll stay negative. You can't change others, only yourself. Find some fun people who laugh, that value you for YOU, and are proud of what you are doing. They are easy to find and they are out there. Negativity breeds negativity...break the cycle. Believe in yourself and SAY so! Find others that believe in you and start to believe in them...then have a 'Danny' Day (or 'Whoever You Are' Day). It's fun! I am sooo looking forward to the rest of the day and night! Anyone know where I can find some Egyptian belly dancers to feed me bon-bons?