Bethenny Knows Best

So, I hope this post doesn't come off too negative, but according to Bethenny, it doesn't matter as that's not what the "place of yes" is about!

To be honest, I haven't finished this book because I started reading it yesterday, and after only a few chapters, I'm into it. Bethenny described a few terms that made me realize that I totally relate to her and have some of the same struggles. To begin with, she describes a certain term of "noise", which is the clutter that is controlling our mind which enables us to clearly hear our "voice".

Wow, I've never thought of it that way, but it completely makes sense. Bethenny then explains that a person can have "noise" in any aspect of their life: relationship noise, friendship noise, professional noise, eating noise, and so on. Again, wow. To me, I've been aware of this for many years, but it felt good reading it and putting a name to all of my feelings.

So, where is all of my noise currently located? I would have to say relationship & professional noise, which are some of the most important areas to feel secure in, and I bet most people can relate to that area.

I think it says something that I decided to start reading A Place of Yes, on a Sunday afternoon while my boyfriend was napping right next to me. I'm stressed... Owning my own business is hard... Not because my job is hard, but because it is internally stressful. I don't have any support system or a team to rely on for help.. It's just me, and if you know me, I always put too much pressure on myself. So when I should be relaxing, I'm stressed and I don't allow myself to enjoy things... So I started reading because it made me feel like I was accomplishing something.

In regards to my relationship noise, this is no surprise to me. Not too long ago I told someone that I must have done some amazing things in my previous lives, because I currently have such a blessed life; except for one thing: I must have been a fucking cheater, because I have such a tortured relationship life. Okay, Okay. I know that not all my love relationships were horrible and I always learn a valuable lesson, but I am tortured when it comes to being intimate with people, even if it's self induced. BUT the good news about this information, is that I've already started to hear my voice!!! Without even reading Bethenny's book, I've been living by her advice. For instance, in efforts to clear my relationship noise, I got off Facebook.. This allowed me to not be so insecure or jealous by other people's actions.. I also began to date more, which allowed me to be exposed to new and exciting experiences, with taught me a lot about myself... BUT the most important thing that I did was recognize that I had a problem, and it wasn't anyone's but MINE. So many times people (myself included) try and start a relationship with someone with the notion that the other person will "fix" them. Let me tell you, it doesn't work. The only person who is responsible for dealing with insecurities or jealousy issues, is YOU! Of course you need a supportive partner, but not THE support. Trust me, I know from experience... A lot of experience.

I know I still have a lot of noise in my life, but I have found a small part of my voice. If you are struggling finding your voice, trust me, it's worth all the pain to discover it. It takes a lot of work and great amounts of humility, but once you achieve it then the rewards are worth it.

Where does your noise come from and what are you going to do to get rid of it?

Thanks Betenny!

Cheers,
G

Garrett's Book Club

Thank you for participating in Garrett's Official Book Club, or GOBC!

If you have two eyes and opposable thumbs, you must read "Their Eyes Were Watching God", by Zora Neale Hurston!!! Must must must!!


For starters, Zora is a bad ass! She was a novelist and folklorist that depicts fictional and factual accounts of her black heritage, like no other! Her use of imagery is untouchable! She is one of my favorite authors and this, is now, one of my favorite books!

In "Their Eyes Were Watching God", Zora's main character, Janie, explores the ups and downs of love relationships experiencing everything from starting one of the first African-American towns, to surviving hurricanes. The vulnerability and honesty combined with pure strength and determinism of Janie, captivates the reader; which allowed me to relate to Janie's accounts and experience them along side her. I LOVE THIS BOOK... DOT COM!

Below are some quotes of greatness:

"Janie starched and ironed her face and came set in the funeral behind her veil. It was like a wall of stone and steel. The funeral was going on outside. All things concerning death and burial were said and done. Finish. End. Nevermore. Darkness. Deep hole.. Dissolution. Eternity. Weeping and wailing outside. Inside the expensive black folds were resurrection and life. She did not reach outside for anything, nor did the things of death reach inside to disturb her calm. She sent her face to Joe's funeral, and herself went rollicking with the springtime across the world."

"Once upon uh time, Ah never 'spected nothin', Tea Cake, but bein' dead from the standin' still and tryin' tuh laugh. But you come 'long and made somethin' outa me. So Ah'm thankful fuh anything we come through together."

"Love ain't somethin' lak uh grindstone dat's de same thing everywhere and do de same thing thu everything it touch. Love is lak de sea. It's uh movin' thing, but still and all, it takes its shape from de shore it meets, and it's different with every shore."

"Two things everybody's got thu do fuh theyselves. They got thu go thu God, and they got thu find out about livin' fuh teyselves."

Suicide... It Kills

As many of you already know, I was once involved with the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center, which is a local 24-7 hotline that assists callers in coping with various problems-- one of which is suicide.

I can't speak highly enough about BRCIC or the quality of its services. On March 31, 2012 they are holding their 2nd annual Circle of Support Walk. This event will raise money to bring attention to the serious problem of suicide and help fund our local resources. Please visit my fundraising page and donate what you can, as you never know when you will be in need of the BRCIC's services. Be sure to play around on their website and learn about everything it has to offer!

http://brcic.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=1668

Also, for one of my social work classes I need to bring people to the event, so if you would like to donate your time, my grade depends on it!

Thanks for all of your support!

SEND THE WEBSITE TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

View my race pictures

Check it out:

http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?action=site.login&RaceOID=26252012W6&LastName=SHOTWELL&BibNumber=6526&spMAILINGID=36549661&spUserID=MTg5Njg0NDA2MzAS1&spJOBID=134548231&spREPORTID=MTM0NTQ4MjMxS0

Garrett Paul

Hey Ya'll!

Well, it's been a while... What can I say, I'm a busy fella. But honestly, its been a combination of procrastination and something I'll touch on later :)

For starters I want to give a special thanks to Karl who emails me when I haven't posted in a while. Karl, a character flaw of mine is that I don't really stay in touch with people, but I really appreciate your friendship and I do think about you often.

With that said, here's what I've been up to! The biggest news over the past month is that I completed my second Half-Marathon in New Orleans. I blew it out of the PARK!

Photo recap:







For some reason I don't feel bad about being boastful when it comes to my race times :) Maggie and I kicked ass, ya'll!!! I shaved 12 minutes off of my December Half and we ran a negative split! Negative split= our second 6.6 miles was faster than our first half!! Look at that mile time 7:54 per mile for 13.1 miles.. What what!! Top 12 % of people... Too much?? Honestly, I worked very had at training, which included becoming a pescatarian (I don't eat meat, except for fish), so I was very dedicated and it's always nice to see the results of your actions. Below are some pics of the weekend :) What a wonderful memories :)














I decided to do something different this race. As I've mentioned before, running is my worship and whenever I compete, all my emotions are amplified. So in efforts to keep myself focused I dedicated each mile to someone important to me.

Mile 1: Maggie.
Mile 2: Beauman.
Mile 3: Jenny
Mile 4: Woman with the cancer free sign & my sister-in-law, Emily.
Mile 5: Erin.
Mile 6: Lauren.
Mile 7: My brothers.
Mile 8 My mom.
Mile 9: Ian.
Mile 10: My Dad.
Mile 11 My Grandparents.
Mile 12: Vanessa.
Mile 13: Me.
Mile 13.1: All of my lovely friends & family


While I ran each mile I focused only on sending good vibes and prayers towards that person. Mile 4 was very special because it was unplanned. The race was benefiting the cancer society, so when I saw a woman holding up a sign that read "6 years cancer free", I started crying. This is what the race was about... Which made me think of Emily and how strong she has been over the years...

Overall, I loved this race. I love my family and friends and I love my life. Never did I think I would run a half marathon, and now I've run 2 within 4 months!!! If you put your heart into something, you will reap positive results. :)

Cheers,
Garrett Paul