Those little inspirational moments.

So. You know. I'm a pretty emotional person.

There are days I have these great highs. And then there are other days I have these great lows. And when you're in your mid-20's, live at home (or not), and are trying to decide on how exactly you'd like to shape you're life -- there seems to be ample time to think about this kinda stuff. So bear with me. There's a point to this rant.

I was talkin to my long lost penpal in Spain who lives my parallel life, but on the other side of the world the other day, and we came to the conclusion that it's better to have an erratic way of life than to say that "No sir, my life hasn't changed very much in the last 20 years."

Perhaps we are just obscure creatures who enjoy dwelling way too much on the "big picture" and titilating ourselves on the most mundane of life's mid-20's conundrums...but, yea! We down with it!

Needless to say I've had this super great natural high driving on my own to/from Sacramento for work this weekend, and I'd like to attest it to a few inspirational things I've only recently been able to internalize. Thus, in the name of my blog, I'd like to share them with you:

Natural High #1: My job with Clif Bar & Company & The Staff: You know, I don't think I ever wrote a post about Clif Bar (whom I've interned + part-timed with for just about 2 years now). And I've gotta state the obvious: i-n-s-p-i-r-a-t-i-o-n-a-l. From the product they make to how the business is run to the very core of it all: the employees. Super cool and truly a business with heart. What makes me say this? (No, it is not purely the reason that I would love like no other to work full-time for this company). Because of the staff they hire! They TRULY embody the brand and EVERYTIME I finish a Clif event, I feel the EXACT same high I get from finishing up a Circle K project.

You know...? That high at the end of a community service project/banquet/first gen/board retreat/etc. your team plans where you're workin side-by-side with your fellow CKI'ers? Like, you leave feeling really physically tired from doing some pretty hefty work of some sort, but you KNOW you've done some good in the world while getting to know and work with some genuinely awesome person. Because on some level they've inspired you on some level or another.

Point in case: This past weekend while working the Nike Women's Fitness Festival up in Sac, I stayed with my co-worker (+ her hubby + her 3 awesome dogs) in Davis. Needless to say this woman is SO COOL. For one thing, she lives in a castle!!! (Which she and her husband built together -- aww kinda moment). Second thing, she has 3 lovable dogs (a pug, beagle, and german sherpard! -- another awww moment). Third, she and her husband get up every Saturday at 5am in the morning to go running!!!!!!!

Together with her hubby, they cycle, run, play tennis, do yoga, and so much more! AND she makes kick-ass oatmeal!!! (Along side the fact that she is simply a wonderful person to talk to about relationships and life). She's so chill, easy-going, and hospitable.

My co-worker makes me wanna go to sleep at 10pm on Friday nights, just so I can go workout hardcore every wee hour Saturday morning, too.

Inspirationally active.

LOVE IT.

But yes...gosh, people like some Clif staff people just blow your mind.

Natural High #2: Mom
My mom is crazy. And if any of my siblings are reading this I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get scoffed at or made uber fun of later...but honest to God, I really love my mom.

Because she's nuts. She has the ability to guilt trip like NO freakin other. The ability to make me cry. To make me feel horrible about myself and want to rip my hair out. She pushes all of my buttons and there are times that I feel so incredibly angry at her for being so freakin attached to my dad. And I constantly argue with her and she NEVER has any justifiable reason for anything except "because I said so", but you know what?

She also has the power to make me laugh in the middle of crying over a stupid argument. She'll come into my room and be the BIGGEST dork ever. She'll grab my tiara (don't ask why I have one...), put it on her head and start making funny faces at me just to make me laugh for no good reason. She can spend the ENTIRE day cooking up a storm (You would NEVER go hungry in my house).

She's the true definition of patience, genuinely lovable, and whoever I chose to marry one day would be so lucky to have a mother-in-law like my mother.

Because she's a lovable nutcase. Adorable in odd ways.

I can honestly say that I don't think my dad deserves her as much as she loves him. But if I ever saw true love, it's the love that my mom has for my dad. And THAT is inspirational to me on all levels possible.

And I love her so much. It hurts.

Thankfully she doesn't know how to read blogs/facebook, so I can promise it now (where she can't see)...that ONE of these days when I can afford it, I'm going to make all of her dreams come true.

Natural High #3: Running.
Next to the Kiwanis Family, there is no other greater activity I could have been more grateful for than running.

I'm so glad I started running in high school because that is something that I will take away with me for the rest of my life.

It makes me feel strongest -- physically and mentally -- no matter what. Even if I'm tired it'll be an instant jolt to my system to wake up and remember that yes, my lungs are strong. Yes, I have these abilities. Yes, I should take care of my body. My health.

Running makes me more aware of my surroundings and myself.

I definitely can say that there's LOTS of room for improvement (in terms of physical endurance and shape and what there is to learn and improve on), but...man, if you've got legs, use them!

If you've ever ran a race where you're just waiting...waiting for the gun to go off before your heart stops...you know what that rush is like. Where your pupils start to dialate for just a few moments. Runner's high.

If you've never ran a race in your life...oh my god.

When you're in that environment, it's like...damn. Hella cool people.

And here's the fun tid-bit:

The most precious equipment you need for this sport is YOUR MENTAL ABILITY.

Final Note:
Gosh, I really can't say that this blog makes very much sense in anyway nor that I'm 100% sure where my life is going at the moment, but I think as long as I have the ability to truly appreciate some of God's finer gifts in life...everything will be ok.

Thank you for giving me the ability to cry.