Of Marines, Physical Fitness, and Art.

Wait, what? What kind of title is that for a blog post?

Trust me, it will make sense by the end.

Time and time again, I tell myself to focus on the positive and not be drawn into pointless political debates. Sometimes I remember, sometimes I forget. But it really is a self-perpetuating thing, where commenting on one thing leads to another and more back-and-forth and suddenly, I've been arguing for hours and accomplishing nothing.

But this is a new month and I am going to challenge myself to go all of June without a political post, comment, or discussion. When those kind of posts show up on my Facebook newsfeed, I'm going to do this:

And just like that, the temptation goes away. I mean, I can't comment on what I can't see, right?

Instead, I am going to focus on three things that do make a difference in my life:

Marines, because this month is my reunion in New Orleans and I will be sharing updates from the reunion and then memories afterwards.

Physical Fitness, because my 90 Day "Road to Ventura Marathon" challenge begins the day I return from New Orleans and I will be posting to keep myself accountable.

Art, because there are so many amazing and beautiful works of art out there (paintings, sculptures, books, etc), and I know so little about it. I want to feel like I have actually learned something, educated myself, and gained a greater appreciation for artists.

So, that's the blog title, "Of Marines, Physical Fitness, and Art." Because Spring is turning into Summer, and I would like to be a better me at the end of the month than I was when it started. And consciously choosing good things for my mind (and soul) will go a long way towards making that happen.

And you? What are your plans for June? 

Action 029 - Challenge Myself.

This entire project is based on a simple idea. I am not ready right now to run the Pasadena Marathon, but each of these actions will help me get there. And the more demanding the action, the more likely it will be to shake me out of my rut and get me fired up, right?

Enter Action 029 - Challenge Myself. I found out tonight that there is a Laguna Hills Half Marathon on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012. That is one week after I run Pasadena. That's too soon to be jumping in to another event, right? Not if the event is a fundraiser that honors and supports the United States Marine Corps Darkhorse Battalion.

For those that don't know, Darkhorse 3/5 is an infantry battalion of Marines that have distinguished themselves in some of the most intense and deadly fighting in the Afghan War. Their service is legend and their sacrifices great.

'Darkhorse' Battalion And The Afghan War

Nearly 1,000 U.S. Marine officers and enlisted men deployed to restive Helmand province in southern Afghanistan in September 2010. By the time their tour ended seven months later, the Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment — known as "Darkhorse" — suffered the highest casualty rate of any Marine unit during the past decade of war. NPR tells the story of the 3/5 — both in Afghanistan and back home.

If these Marines can serve so honorably and faithfully, surely I can "sacrifice" one morning to run a half marathon in tribute to them.

Challenge accepted.