C's get degree's

As I was sitting around a table a few weeks back, a young college student was talking to an impressionable high school student and made the comment, "C's get degree's" referencing how it really doesn't matter what kind of an effort you put into your school work because in the end, everyone has a degree. So if C's get degree's then why should anyone try to excel at anything?

Let me pose a few questions:

Do you want a doctor working on you who got C's in college - who studied just enough to get by, who partied all weekend, and crammed the night before, perhaps memorized it, but then it was gone the next day, week, and after a few months couldn't remember a thing they'd crammed for that one test... or a doctor who applied himself, who studied hard, who worked to learn the material inside and out, the student who not only memorized the material but learned how exactly it worked in the body, became a t.a which in turn sealed the knowledge into their memory and allowed them to teach others the same material they had been taught. Do you want a lawyer fighting on your behalf who cheated his way through school and never learned the laws of the land, the in and outs of the Constitution, the state laws, bi-laws, or amendments to those laws?

Do you want an accountant who learned the in-and-outs of the tax code, who learned about each and every loop hole, who studied numbers and equations, and appreciated and maintained a certain amount of integrity. Or do you want an accountant who cheated, who looked off his friend notes, who never read the book, who figured out way to skimp by, just giving the bear minimum to succeed?

As a runner I have often watched people run around an entire path, only to stop at the bottom of the hill and walk up. When they get to the top, they'll start running again. I am sure they receive a great deal of satisfaction at what they have accomplished through this small feat.

Unfortunately what they don't know is that, if they had only required just a little bit more they would find that their potential is so much more than what they are giving themselves credit for. I've often wished I could go run with them and at that point when they willingly give up and say, okay lets walk this hill, because I don't think I can do it, I instead tell them, sorry, you are going to run this because you CAN! I would yell... DON'T STOP RUNNING< IN FACT -- KEEP RUNNING! YOU CAN DO IT... HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FAITH IN YOURSELF, YOU HAVE SO MUCH MORE POTENTIAL THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE!!!

Even though their heart is pounding, even though they feel like they can't breath, even though their lungs are burning and they feel like they are going to pass out -- just when they think they can't give anymore, the horizon levels out, the worst of it is over, and with in thirty-to-forty feet, their heart rate has adjusted, and the path just got a little easier.

So many times we sell ourselves short because of fear, because of doubt, because of the unknown. Instead of trying and failing, we'd rather not try at all. How unfortunate this is! Each of us has so much untapped potential, we just have to dig deep enough to find it. We have to say "forget you" to all the nay sayer's. We have to stop enabling each other from what could be and start encouraging for what will be.

Fourteen years ago I was in the same place as the girl I mentioned above. The one that said "C's get degree's". I thought I didn't have what it took to follow my dreams. I allowed the doubt to consume me, and I cowered to the possibilities and settled for comfortable. 

And she is right, fourteen years ago, I was right. C's do get degree's. A "C" is average. But, is that who we are? C's are those who never realize their true potential. C's are those who never realize their true self. C's are those who wish, but never fail out of fear, they stay comfortable with comfortable. C"s are average.

Instead, be an "A". Work your butt off. Try harder than you've ever tried -- just to see if you can. Run up that hill that has kicked your butt and don't stop, not at the top, not ten feet after, not twenty feet after, just keep running. Who cares if you fall, or feel like your going to pass out... you will survive and you may just find out that you actually can do the impossible. That you are not a "C" but in fact an "A"!

If I could go back and look myself in the eye fourteen years ago, I would tell myself to stop doubting, to stop selling yourself short, to not listen to that part of you that thinks you are not capable of achieving your goals. I would tell myself to be ambitious, to work your ass off and if you fall, to get back up, scrape off the dirt, and run harder.

When I was first in college back in 2000-2001 I left with a 2.78. I had no idea that inside I had the ability to pull a 4.0 for almost 5 five years in a row. That I would have three amazing kids, go to school full time, be a VP of the Public Relations Students Society, be the Relief Society president of my church branch, support a husband as he follows his dreams, and survive! I am not saying this for bragging rights -- rather I'm saying it because I never would have thought back then that I was capable of accomplishing so much up to this point in my life.

We all doubt, we all are afraid of failing, but should that define us, or do we define ourselves by our actions, by our continued determination to try harder than we did the day before.

I love Lucille Ball. Why? Because she failed over and over again before she became a famous movie star. Even when everyone else around her was pushing her down. She had a dream and she fought for it. 

So yes C's get degree's, and doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, and accounts can get by with a "C", but do you want them working for you, or on you for that matter. Do you want a doctor prescribing medicine to you who got by with C's? I can assure you those who earned their degree's through hard work and determination are those that actually are successful. The reality is, C's  never realize their true potential because they either never give it their all or because they are too worried about failing. So, rather than try, they sail through life on the easy boat. 

But, I don't want to sail through life on the easy boat. I don't want to someone else paddling for me. No I want to be at the stern, I want to lean into those waves as they crash down on me, knowing that I am strong enough to hold on. You are strong enough to hold on. 

To all you girls out there wondering if you are capable of reaching those dreams, I shout "YOU ARE MORE CAPABLE THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE, REACH FOR THOSE STARS, AND WHEN YOU GET THERE REACH FOR THE NEXT STAR... Then you will know what you are capable of. 

Amy "Susie Packwrecker" Duclose - is mom, derby referee, and wife.

     Just off Idlewild Road sits a warehouse which appears to be nothing more than an old airline manufacturing plant, however, inside you may be surprised to find taped lines in the form of an oval, benches, and roller skates.

     For many Mississippi girls, this is their go-to spot; this is where the dirt hits the fan… literally.

     For Amy Duclos, roller derby has become an obsession. On any given night you may find her at the Starkville Roller Skating Rink, or perhaps in the more official roller derby rink, located in the heart of Columbus, Miss.

     Here you will find 10 or more, tough, possibly tattooed, tight wearing, trash-talking derby girls - ready to brawl.

     Duclos said skating is her life. That is, outside of her three kids and her husband Martin, “The Canadian”, as she affectionately refers to him. According to Duclos, he is the most supportive husband around.

     “After starting derby, I was the happiest freakin’ person on the planet,” Duclos said. “I would wake up, and that is all I could think about was going to skate. Even though it was just four hours a week, it was like those two days were fabulous. Nobody could get under my skin, nobody could make me mad, it didn’t matter if the house was a mess or the kids fought all day, I didn’t care, I got to skate.”

     After losing her brother to a cocaine overdose in December 2008, the world seemed to close in on her. Between her brother’s death, and more recently, two miscarriages; Duclos felt trapped and bogged down, which ultimately led to depression.

     As a child, Duclos lived in skates. Hanging out at the local skating rink on weekends and during the summer had helped fine-tune her skills. This love continued after having three children of her own, and she would often take her own kids down to the rink.

     One particular evening after skating with her kids, a couple of girls with tattoos, face piercings, and crazy clothes came over to her and told her that she should play derby. Duclos had no idea what derby was.

     As a result of her second, but still raw miscarriage, Duclos found herself in a very low place. Happiness was difficult to come by during this time, and she found herself feeling extremely bitter and cynical. So, two nights a week of roller derby seemed like the thing to do.

     “Slowly those two days started to seep into the rest of the week, and I really do think it pulled me out of depression,” Duclos said. “It’s now been two years since I’ve felt affected by it.”

     Even her mother, Martha Ward, commented to her about the effects skating had on her daughter.

     “I’m really glad you’re doing roller derby,” Ward said, “You’re a lot happier because of it.”

     Derby has become a part of everyday life in the Duclos household. Not only does Amy “Susie Packwrecker” Duclos referee every Thursday night for the Mississippi Brawl Stars, but she also travels with the team, holds fundraiser’s, and has a derby wife who has helped her through her journey.

     According to Duclos, each new derby girl gets a derby wife, who not only shows her the ropes, but essentially becomes her second mom. Packwrecker’s derby wife is not just someone she associates with for derby, but she is one of her bestfriends.

     For the Mississippi Brawl Stars, roller derby is more than just elbows, “jams”, and blocks; its family. There is not time to worry about girls who irritate you, Duclos said. Even if one of them is a “heifer”, you get over it, because everyone is needed, and because it’s roller derby.

----

     As we headed into the scrimmage game Thursday night, Duclos warned me that the other girls would try to convince me to become one of them.

     “They’ll want you to be a jammer for sure, they’re the fastest; they’re the ones who score the points,” Duclos said. “Just tell them you’re here to observe.”

     As we entered the old warehouse, it was like walking into another world. The musty smell penetrated your nose, the fluorescent lights hung low below the exposed rafters, and the heaviness of the air enveloped you. Elbow pads, knee pads, fish-net tights (some with skeleton prints on them), boy-shorts, and purple helmets, gave the feeling of padding up for a skateboarding event or a football game. As girls tightened laces, fastened helmet’s, and padded up, you could tell this was no school-girl brawl, this was serious business.

     As Packwrecker blew the first whistle, which signaled to the pack to start, the girls took off. The grace and speed at which Packwrecker skated around the track was awe-inspiring, if not intimidating. It was not difficult to see the joy and fulfillment that skating allows Amy “Susie Packwrecker” Duclos.

     “I get a thrill when I’m the fastest on the track, I’ve got big-girl thighs and they push me good,” Duclos said. “I’d rather be on skates than my own feet, I feel so comfortable and good in my skin - when I’m on skates.”

-30-

Ragnar Relay Chattanooga to Nashville TN!

It's here! Let the INSANITY  begin... 24 hour Ragnar Relay Chattanooga to Nashville, here we come!!! 

Since August I have been training for the Ragnar Relay in TN.  Coming to Mississippi from Utah, home of one of the first Ragnar Relay races  I had always thought it sounded cool, I mean, who doesn't love a girls weekend out! Combine that with running, lots of laughs, no men, (or kids for that matter) = GOOD TIMES BABY! Ironic that it took me moving across half the country before I actually got talked into doing one!

Running.  Love it or hate it, many of us do it.  Why?  Who knows! Many do it because it is the cheapest form of exercise, requires no money (well, that's not technically true if you buy good running shoes, goo, sports drinks, etc.) however, the trend is barefoot running these days; so again, if you like to run like the caveman; no money is required.  You don't have to go to the gym, you can run anytime you want, day or night, and you are only dictated by your schedule, no one else's.  Now that last statement is completely bull shi! if you have kids or a family.  Because we all know mom's are never on their own schedule, they are on EVERYONE else's schedule.  So if you're a mom, running may require a little schedule manipulating, but it can be done, I"M PROOF OF THAT!  Early mornings, runs between naps, late night runs, runs in the snow, rain, sunshine, and humidity (at least here in the south) are just a few of the enjoyable environments that runners survive in.

When we first moved to Mississippi back in August, I was foolish enough to run late in the morning.  Coming from Utah where it get's extremely hot; I thought "oh no big deal".  However, with the thick heavy moisture in the air, I felt like I was suffocating to death. Lesson learned! Don't run after 8am in the south during the summer. If you do, you may find yourself looking for along the lines of roadkill!

So back to why runners run!  I HATED running back in my early twenties.  In fact had anyone ever told me I would become a runner I would have laughed in their face.  I mean who in their right mind thinks it's fun to run 3 miles, let alone 6, 8, 13, or the hellish, 26.6 miles?  I wasn't about to PAY anyone to run.

I remember the first group of girls I ran with (because I couldn't afford a gym membership) in SLC, UT.  There was one girl whom I remember telling me she was going to run in a 10k.  A what?  And you're paying someone to run?  Why would I pay someone to run?  Are you an idiot?  Well, 7 years later, I am that idiot!

That running stint only lasted about 6-9 months. It wouldn't be until about two years later, after becoming a gym rat, competing in my first (and only) sprint triathlon, and running on average 2-3 days a week, 3 miles per run, that we would move and I would be forced to look for other (keep the fat off), options!.

The closest gym was 20 minutes away. I didn't want to wasted an hour of my day, give or take just to drive to the gym.  So a local group of girls talked me into running, and this is where it begins. During the three years we lived there (Springville, UT) I ran my first half marathon.  I remember the first time I ran 10 miles.  I thought, oh my hell, you are going to have to scrape me off the ground and drag me back! There is no way I will be able to survive.  Little did I know, I would think it was fun!

That's right, I said fun! I know, what the hell?  I actually enjoyed running 10 miles.  So the madness begins!  At this time I was actually four months pregnant.  Shortly after this, I had a tendon freeze up in my left shin and had to stop running until after I had my baby.

16 weeks after having my third child, I began the insanity once again.  I completed two half marathons, and have found that although I still have my days when I HATE running (because we all have those days when we just want to be lazy and our will power falls guilty to the snooz button).

Running is something you will not love until you are consistent with it.  Running once or twice a week is not consistent, believe me I know!  The other argument I have is, you won't love it either, unless you actually start to increase your mileage... if you're doing three, go to six.  If you're running five to six, increase to eight! This is where running actually becomes fun even meditative! Call me crazy, asinine, psychotic, whatever you like; I can take it because I once believed such people were irrational, pounding pavement psycho's!

So, for the first time in my life, I will compete in a 24 hour relay race with 11 other girls.  I'm leg 4 with a total mileage of about 16 miles.  I cannot wait to get away from the kids, the hubby, and go eat lots of crap, drink lots of diet coke, sleep whenever possible, and run like hell!  (Because at 1am I am going to be running like hell, who knows what will be coming out of the woodworks at that time of night ;)

BRING IT ON RAGNAR!!!

(Sorry babe, I love you... but sometimes a girls gotta get away! (Even the girl at the checkout agree'd!  ;)

Decision 2012: War on Women, Part 2

Abortion is such a sensitive topic as we've already seen because there is NO clean cut line.  When a girl through no choice of her own loses her agency due to the malicious desires or power kick of some crazed lunatic rapist, it complicates things.  When drug addicted women lose the ability to make wise choices under the influence of a substance that physically and mentally changes her brain and her ability to decide right from wrong, this causes concern.  When a baby is forced to come into a world drug induced or is the result of incest or rape, decisions become  formidable. 

However, there is something fundamentally wrong about a girl who, through poor, unplanned choices of her own; relinquishes her responsibility through the act of abortion.  This begs the question. Does this become the responsibility of the American taxpayers? Are we expected to pay for their lack of preparedness?  

What we need is to figure out a way to educate these girls before they find themselves in these precarious positions.  We need to figure out what is at the root of this epidemic. Can this be blamed on poor education, poor social backgrounds?  I'm sure some would argue, and perhaps there is some truth behind those notions.  However, the brutal reality is simple; we have become a nation of selfish desires and we continue to exacerbate the idea of entitlement.

Should women wanting an abortion with no outlying circumstances be required to pay for their abortion?  Should certain circumstances be covered and others not? Is it possible to take into account those who legitimately require and possibility need an abortion, or should all women be allowed to terminate a pregnancy no matter the reason?

First, These girls need to get some birth control, and IF they cannot afford it, then we can step in and give them free birth control, or stop having sex and practice abstinence. It's FREE!
Second, I understand that things happen, so learn the first time around and stop the excessive use of unnecessary abortions in the United States just so girls don't have to deal with the consequences. 

Third, doesn't this all go back to the breakdown of the family?  Families continue to be attacked; and without kids having someone who can teach them integrity, morality, & responsibility; we will continue to see kids making adult decisions without the knowledge to do so adequately.

And finally, going back to accountability; only when we are held accountable for our actions do we learn lessons from tough choices.  Instead, we are giving these girls a free pass.  These girls, (And I am not talking about rape victims, etc.) act as if they are doing nothing wrong.

WE ALL have days where we wish we didn't have kids; where we wish we could lead another life free of diapers, poop, feedings, laundry, housecleaning, tantrums, and everything else moms get to deal with.  But, it in NO way negates the atrocity of abortion as a result of entitlement.

Planned Parenthood has proven time again that the rules do not apply to them.  In this video, Live Action goes undercover as a mother who wants to abort their baby if it is a girl.  In this particular interview, they are talking about waiting until the mom is around twenty weeks so they know what the sex is, and then are told, if at that time you find out it's a girl, you can abort it. My favorite part is, the Planned Parenthood advisor tells her, "you can get pregnant right after the abortion, I've had two abortions myself and I have two kids, so I know". The Planned Parenthood advisor never bats an eye. Apparently we are starting to follow China's lead, let's just throw our baby girls away. Sounds rational right?

"In 2009 Planned Parenthood received over $360 Million dollars of taxpayers dollars in government grants".  In 2010 they received over $500 million.  Taxpayer dollars are going to pay for girls to have abortions, and sometimes multiple abortions. Planned Parenthood would argue that their money is not allowed to go towards abortion, however the number of abortions are increasing, and the lack of credibility on their behalf is overwhelming. Unfortunate, considering in the beginning Planned Parenthood was probably created to truly advocate for women's rights.  Now, it has become a foggy mess of moral abandonment mixed with politics.

I understand that women want to be able to decide what happens to their body's.  Let's put the politics aside.  We are women, we were given the most powerful ability on earth, to bear a child.  No man can do this!  But girls are choosing every day that this incredible gift is not so great and they opt for the selfish and destructive act of abortion.

Women, we are smarter than this.  Stop having unprotected sex if you're not interested in having a baby.  If pregnancy occurs and it's not the desired outcome of the woman, choose life, and choose to give it to someone who wants it.  You have the right to decide whether you want to be a mother, or not.  But if you don't, KNOW that someone else does! Your selfless act will give you knowledge and the sweet assurance that out of this, what you may see as a tragedy, came a gift that someone else could not give themselves.  Think outside the box, become a surrogate mother and find a woman who WANTS your baby!

As mentioned in part one... a friend of mine made the argument that there are times when abortion may be necessary.  In the situation of abortion due to rape, incest, abuse, drugs, or in the event of death to mother and/or child,  I believe in these situations women should have the option to an abortion  These are sensitive subjects and their is no one who can make that decision except the individual who is living through that specific circumstance.

In the event of a woman choosing an abortion based purely off of her selfish and narcissistic desires... why not choose life?  YES, pro-life involves sacrifice on behalf of the mother carrying the child.  She may feel insecure, ridiculed, and scared.  But, I believe that when we base our decision on what is best for the baby, all involved can be blessed, including those on the receiving end of that beautiful baby.  Parents who could not give themselves what they so desired will forever be grateful & indebted to that individual for the selfless and beautiful gift that only she could give.

"Stand with Protect Our Girls to call for a nationwide ban on the unethical practice of sex-selection abortion in America."

*If you are interested in more information on Live Action click here.