“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”……. Dalai Lama XIV
I’ve always enjoyed quotes from the Dalai Lama XIV because so many of them make me stop and think about the way we live our lives. When I read this one recently, I immediately thought of my oldest granddaughter, Hailey, who ran the Berlin Marathon Sunday morning!
Running Berlin has been on Hailey’s bucket list for some time. She tried to get a spot in 2025 but wasn’t selected through the lottery. She tried again, and this year she got in!
Of course, getting into the race was only the beginning.
You don’t wake up one morning and decide to run 26.2 miles. Hailey takes her training seriously, putting in the miles and doing the work long before race day ever arrives. There are a lot of early mornings, tired legs and days when I’m sure it would be easier not to lace up those running shoes!
Berlin is an especially exciting marathon to run. Known for its remarkably flat course and wide avenues, it has produced numerous world records over the years. The route winds through Berlin before giving runners an unforgettable finish, running through the historic Brandenburg Gate just before crossing the finish line.
And yes, this Nana was going to be there too, even if I was thousands of miles away!
I set my alarm for 2:10 a.m. so I could follow Hailey on the marathon app as she made her way through those 26.2 miles. Her mom, dad and sister were in Berlin, cheering her on in person, while I was cheering from Austin in the middle of the night!
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Hailey crossed the finish line in 3 hours and 56 minutes, happy with her race and, I’m sure, experiencing that wonderful feeling that comes when you accomplish something you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
And that brings me right back to the Dalai Lama’s words.
Happiness wasn’t waiting for Hailey at the Brandenburg Gate. It began when she put the Berlin Marathon on her bucket list. It grew when she tried to get in the first time and didn’t give up. It was there in all those days of training, preparation and commitment. And yes, it was certainly there when she finally crossed that finish line!
Sometimes happiness really does come from our own actions, from deciding there is something we want to do, putting in the work and then making it happen.
Monday’s Lesson:
Don’t just put something on your bucket list. Take the first step toward making it happen.
What’s something on YOUR bucket list, and what action could you take today to get a little closer to making it happen?
Until next Monday…
Keep learning, keep growing, and Be the Difference.
— Dorie Dillard
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Dorie Dillard
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I specialize in Listing and Selling homes in the NW Austin Area. I use my experience to guide clients through the process, whether selling or buying. It’s a beautiful thing when your career and a passion come together. I love what I do!
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