Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Out and About

Well, it happened. In my still-sick state, I left the house. And before you get your knickers in a twist, my being outside did not involve working out in any sort of form.

(small sigh).

Actually, I had to make a second trip to the pharmacy, after they forgot ten pills in my prescription of twenty. No, I'm not a pill-popping enthusiast. But when my doctor prescribes a ten day antibiotic treatment, I expect to complete the medication after ten days. Not five.

After all, she did warn me to finish all medication, even if I was feeling better before completing the full dosage.

Yes, Doctor, I'm aware of that, thank-you-very-much.

And to reward myself for being out and about (without engaging in physical activity), I decided to pick up sushi for dinner. Nothing too bland or fancy, but just enough to taste in my sinus-infected state.

FYI: the shrimp spring roll with spicy peanut sauce did the trick.

It was fabulous. Not quite as good as my favorite Cambodian Roll from Pensacola's Ichiban. But still delicious. (Never in my right mind, did I ever think I would prefer sushi in Pensacola over sushi on the West Coast. But, I'm still searching for a new favorite spot...I'm open to suggestions).

It was while driving home though, that I noticed something unexpected.

As usual, traffic was congested, with motorists doing silly things like cutting across lanes and talking on cell phones. One lady was even applying something to her cheeks and checking herself out in one of her car mirrors, while navigating stop and go traffic on Palomar Airport Road. Brilliant!

Sometimes I just wish there was a traffic cop around, waiting to give tickets to all the idiot drivers out there. Hopefully I'm not alone with this though. Nope. I can safely say that I'm not. Nathaniel agrees with me. Probably my parents as well.

But that's not the point of this.

While waiting at one of the many red lights between El Camino Real and Hwy 101, I noticed the car directly in front of me. It had a few stickers posted proudly on its bumper, the first of which read: "Pets are not disposable!"

Well that's true!

So I moved on to the next sticker.

It read:
Be willing to give up what you are for what you want to become.

Wow.

I sat there, speechless, re-reading the sticker.

Before I knew it, the light had changed, and the car with the cool sticker pulled away. I hit the gas and tailed close behind, trying to keep the phrase seared into my memory.

At the next red light, I dug through my purse for a pen, while rummaging through old gas receipts. It was all I could do to write down the quote and drive at the same time. Suddenly I was happy that no cops were around to dole out stupid tickets. I don't think I would garner much sympathy for writing + driving. Even if the quote was really neat.

The more I thought about be willing to give up what you are for what you can become, the more it made sense, and the more I really liked it.

Making a change, trying something new, going out on a limb; all things that aren't always easy. It takes courage to go after something, give up what's comfortable and what you know in exchange for the unknown.

But when we keep our eyes on the prize, when we work like crazy for something we know is possible, then the end result is well worth the effort.

It's scary, downright terrifying at times. What if we fail? What if our attempt does not work out? While that's always a possibility, can you really live your life knowing that things could have been different if you had only tried?

I can't. And I refuse to accept something that's comfortable for the sake of things being easy. Newsflash: life isn't always easy. Neither is The Multisport.

So when push comes to shove, what are you going to do? What do you choose? And what are you willing to do to make what you can become a reality?

When you accomplish your goals, make your dreams come true, and realize that you have become what you knew you could, I'll be the first to congratulate you. Let's set off on this journey together and see what we can be!

Just don't try writing while driving. You never know who's watching and how much the ticket will cost.

11 comments:

Lisa T said...

Great quote!

My sushi favs:
Toshi San (on Fay in La Jolla)
Sushi Ota (Mission Bay Dr.- you'll need a reservation)

Feel better!

Ordinarylife said...

What a great quote!

ADC said...

Reading your post and I am thinking of such for lunch today :-) Loving the sticker.

Missy said...

Well your moving around, bonus, not great but bonus. Bumpersticker quotes? Usually not so good, that one is a keeper, though.

Kim said...

I love that, I really do. Thank heavens you got out and got sushi or you may not have been able to read that sticker and share it with the world. Keep searching, you'll find your place..I understand what an important hunt that is but it will make it all the more worth it when you find it! Feel better my friend.

Marni Sumbal, MS, RD said...

get better soon! I Am heading to our side of the US...and your time zone!!! We are off to lake tahoe today! :)
-marn

Anonymous said...

I love that quote... its so true and scary at the same time. Reminds me a lot of "Nothing in life worth having comes easy."
Congrats on the Brooks sponsorship!!! What shoes do you normally run in?

Charisa said...

Great quote! And I have no sushi faves for you - I don't eat it :)

Mer! said...

You have to go to Hillcrest and go to Ono Sushi...and order the following:

Triple Fantasy Roll
Super Salmon Roll
FDB Roll
and the Balboa Roll.

TRUST me..their rolls are unmatched.

I actually really don't like Sushi Ota in PB, it smells like fish, they're rude and I think it's overrated...then again Sushi Ono has an air of rudeness as well....but their rolls are MUCH better. BUT if you are a sashimi fan, then Sushi Ota is the way to go. I like sashimi too, but I like rolls better =0.

I got a ticket yesterday.....on base at the Naval hospital =0. It doesn't cost anything though?? And did you know if they pull you over they can RIP OFF your decal tag?? They didn't with me, but oh man, Dave would kill me! =0

Feel better Marit!!
Mer

Michelle Simmons said...

I like it. Thanks for sharing!

Glad you're feeling a bit better. Hope you are 100% sooner rather than later. :) You certainly deserve it since you've been so patient about the not working out thing!

m said...

That reminds me of this quote I was looking at the other day:

“The important thing is this: to be able, at any moment, to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.”
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

I'm glad your feeling better and out and about a little.