personal best

100 freestyle

take your mark
beep...

nice dive
strong kick
extended arms
deep breathing

strength and grace
synchronicity

hand on the ledge
first in her heat
peering out for her time
breathing deep, straight faced

explosive smile
upon realizing
she raced a personal best

transience

cherry blossoms
revered
during their
short spring visit

orange

poppy flowers

I touch a petal
and look at my fingers
wondering if the fresh paint
of spring rubs off

effort

At the swim meet
I am uplifted
by the way
the kids leap
into the water
and into life lessons

exerting
pushing
persevering

effort
paired with reflection
leads to accomplishment
in and out of the pool

breeze

something about
a warm afternoon breeze
that lulls and contents me

gulp

You know that feeling
you get in your throat
when you are
holding back your tears?

maddiejamesfoundation.org

gulp

distracted

looking back on my day
a series of
distracted moments
pop up

tomorrow is a new day
to be present
with the girls

flux

appreciating
the continual changes
and flowing of ideas

occurring simultaneously
around the world

an energy force

box

We've all heard the saying
"think out of the box"

Yossi Ginsberg
has cemented this in my mind

To think out of the box
you need to live out of the box

break free of
the walls of
your home
your work space
your tv
your computer

whatever confines you

experience nature where
there are no boxes

celebration

It's her 10th birthday
she squirms with excitement

double digits
don't mean double trouble

a thoughtful
strong
kind
smart
focused
expressive
young lady
emerges

the world
is a better place
because of you
Happy Birthday

best

We all say
Do your best

the swim meet
provided opportunities
to swim
a personal best

and several times
they did!

the posture
of a swimmer
right after a personal best
is uplifting

turning point

a moment in time
when you go one direction
instead of another

surround yourself with people
that encourage you to lean positive

but ultimately it's your move

meaningful

authenticity
and purpose
make learning
deep and wide

The Hall of Heroes
was a place for all to shine

yearning

Our dads have crossed over

Our journeys and experiences
have been different
but there is something
certain that we share

a tender,persistant longing

a yearning
that softens
with laughter and gratitude

intention

It's not enough to avoid
drama and negativity

Flying under the radar
isn't solution oriented

I reflected and resisted the urge
to jump back into the drama

I chose to shine the light on what's right
and highlight strengths

These moments of intention
propel me on a path
towards lightness

niche

the La Jolla Swim Club community

together because of a certain appeal
a calling some might say

They all peer out into the ocean
with a sense of awe
that strengthens
mile after mile

Spending time with this group
will leave you feeling

lifted up
encouraged
included
humbled
inspired

running

throbbing heart beat
dripping sweat
breathing rhythmically
burning muscles

make me feel alive
and strong

hero

She chose Lynne Cox
long distance open water swimmer
for her 2nd grade hero project.

We met her at Seal Beach
she leaned down and
pointed out toward the ocean
beaming with joy
sharing experiences

a hero who...

Dreams big
Sets goals
Trains hard
Trains hard
Achieves more than thought possible

open
generous
reflective
mentor
for swimming
and beyond

beliefs fuel enthusiasm
and enthusiasm evolves into passion

a pure delight
to be in Lynne's
passionate presence

explorers

are dreamers that do

the compass pulls them
out of their comfort zones

discovering new territory
inside and out

pioneers

optimism

People say, I'm sorry for your loss.
Expressing sincerity and empathy
for someone who is irreplaceable.

flashes of sad moments
of what will be missed and will not become

But with a broadened perspective
the ubiquitous saying
lost and found
evokes optimism

Find a symbol that embodies his presence
Find people who elevate story telling as a sacred celebration
Find others who will benefit from your experience and insight
Find peace knowing that he is and will always be a part of you

substantive

more and more
I step away from
small talk

I am eager to engage
in substantive conversations
that fuel curiosity
strengthen connections
and lead to expansions

What's your proportion
of meaningful conversations?

Small talk shrinks happiness

bravery

Do you have
Someone who believes in you?
Someone who cheers you on and propels you forward?
Someone who takes you by the hand and lowers your anxiety?
Someone who encourages you to dream and take risks?
Someone who makes you feel brave?

seeds of belief, encouragement and bravery
sprout long after the person is physically gone

interrupting

listening for an opportunity
to hear your own voice
instead of listening
to the other person's ideas

listen fully
contribute
in a cyclical, responsive way

stop the eruptions
promote connections

process

participation and collaboration
are central

ongoing, cyclical
planning, learning, reflecting
toward a goal

foggy, murky
disequilibrium
signify entering
into new learning

be patient with the process

hush

sunset canvas
rosy pastel streaks
across the blue sky

we peer upwards
we pause
there is a

hush

completion

I was disciplined and focused
and completed the work tonight.

It's done. I feel lighter.

I'm conscious to with hold
my complaints about the work load
since I'm hoping
to have these positions next year.

moments can be difficult but the experience is worthwhile

The weekend is here
and I'm sticking to my New Year's Resolution
to hike more.

anxiety

anxiety increases with the
uncertainties at work

I tell myself and others to
stay focused on the work
add value
be positive

training my brain to
visualize the dream
not the nightmare

vibrant

she comes in

a thrust of positive energy

generous
reflective
glowing

sparking a revitalization
of manifesting dreams

forward

I recount my frustrations
to a friend
and I realize
that I have forgotten
the very details that angered me.

I move on.

Are our brains
wired for forgiveness?

attention

In any moment
I have choices.

lack or abundance?
rigidity or flexibility?
want or gratitude?

sun

The sun's
warmth on my back
soothes

beliefs

are what we become

What do you believe
the future holds for you?

What fresh vision
is emerging?

validation

contribution to a conversation
by validating how she feels

she called
feeling like a crappy mom
her son broke his wrist

I listened
and echoed back
her feelings

being heard and understood
was just enough
to move the conversation forward

instead

work and school
begin again tomorrow

I'm visualizing

smooth transitions
patience
and abundant humor

When I feel
tense
irritated
rushed

my sharped tongue
and furrowed brow
emerge

instead

I'm going to
breathe deep
and try and make 'em smile

comfort

we walked a few miles together today
and she reached for my hand
again and again
a perfect fit
in the jigsaw puzzle
comfort

reality

reality hit hard today
my first day back to work

fast pace
fast talking
fast movements
fast meeting
fast eating

slow breathing
helps

nature

hiking at mission trails

we are in awe with the water

the river is high
giving the waterfalls force
the river hums
a soothing feeling
drowning out the chatter in our heads

caterpillars amble across the dirt path
this fuzzy migration
fascinates us all

Oak trees' tangled canopies
have us look upward
in appreciation

unplug and get out for a hike

plunge

geared up and ready to go
they gather
and take the plunge
in the cold 56 degree ocean

polar bears

an invigorating day
full of play, promise
and positive energy