Hey...This Will Only Take a Minute!

Alright Girls on the Run fans. I was in Cincinnati the last couple of days and had a fabulous time meeting with some of our "networkers" and contributors there as well as the fabulous folks at Proctor and Gamble with the "Secret Deodorant" Brand. (Secret is one of our Girls on the Run corporate sponsors!)

I got home last night after numerous delays...around midnight! Being a bit wired after some roller coaster flight turbulence, I tried to wind down by reading through a few emails.

That's where "Kate" comes in. Kate had just finished reading my book, "Girls Lit From Within: A Guide to Living Life Outside the Girl Box."

One chapter in that book (it's for girls ages 8 and up!) encourages the girls to make a gratitude list.

Well, Kate really wanted to share her list with me and so I'd like to share it with you! (These are her words...)

My Wonderful Family;
My Friends in the Different Cities Where I Have Lived;
My Education;
Girls on the Run;
My Sports Ability;
Cousins;
Grandmother;
My House;
My Books;
My Thoughtful Brain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So...Kate got me thinking. When I started Girls on the Run, thirteen very brave girls showed up! And now...NOW, we are in more than 150 cities across North America with over 60,000 girls currently participating! Those of you, who know me personally, know how important it is (and how invigorating it is) for me to spend time with our girls. As the founder of this organization, I must keep my finger on the pulse of the girls we serve...plus there is, at least in my opinion, no better way to stay REAL, GENUINE and AUTHENTIC, than by hanging out with kids. They teach us so much about being ourselves!

However, due to the extensive amount of travel this wonderful growing program now requires of me, I don't get the one-on-one experience with our girls as much as I'd like.

Therefore, thanks to Kate, I'm launching another blog specifically designed for girls...girls both in and out of Girls on the Run. The topics will be relevant to their lives and each post will explore a variety of "tactics," girls can use to stay "out of the Girl Box."

So...if you feel like check it out...at www.mollybarkerontherun.blogspot.com. And please, if you know any girls (whether they are in or out of Girls on the Run), let them know I'd like to "meet" them...over there on the fun, wacky and girl-side!!!

Thanks to all of you for your belief in this program and choosing to live the authentic, genuine and real lifestyle we encourage!

Get Your Gratitude On

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

Albert Schweitzer

Today I am filled with gratitude. I am so grateful in fact I thought it might be fun to just make a gratitude list…something I encourage you to do…real quick and right now! Don’t think too hard about it….just go…just write…just let it flow!

Alright so here goes…simple, to the point, not planned and straight from me, in this very moment at 4:50 p.m. on Thursday.

Today, right this minute I am grateful for:

The New Girls on the Run Council Training I was part of yesterday (and the day before) and the strength, humor and bravery exhibited by the women in attendance.

The amazing people in my life (both professional and personal friends) and their passionate belief in me, my gifts and my power.

My two children Hank and Helen. Hank for his tender understanding of the daily challenges I face as a single mother and Helen for her uncanny ability to constantly remind me of “what can be.”

My legs…their strength and their ability to move me across 6 miles of asphalt with very little difficulty.

My age…all 48 years of me…and my genuine desire to joyfully embrace the wisdom and perspective that comes with each passing year.

My 51 year “boy”friend, Richard, who celebrates my strength and encourages me to dream.

Chocolate…I love chocolate. Need I say more?

My arms. I like ‘em. They are strong.

The army of women who have gone before me…courageously laying down THE foundation that allows our efforts to in-power girls and women to be embraced, honored and valued.

You…for reading this blog.

So now, it’s your turn. Right now, right this minute, shoot back in the comment section with at least one item that brings you gratitude. Come on now…do it! You’ll be surprised how good it makes you feel!