Failure is not defeat until you stop trying.

I'm still here, still fighting the good fight.  I apologize for the lengthy pause between posts.  Sometimes inspiration comes frequently, sometimes not.  And, sometimes inspiration comes all the time, I just don't have time to actually get on the computer and blog about it.  Ya know- three kids, massage school, homework, substitute teaching, hubby, dirty bathrooms, dog, etc.  (Side note:  I like substitute teaching, but I have a really hard time actually using the word "substitute" ever since my six-year-old daughter pointed out that it has the word "toot" in it.  She then spent the next ten minutes saying "substitoot!" and laughing uproariously.  Classy little lady, she is. :)

I am proud to report that for the last few weeks I have gotten out to run at least three times each week.  I am averaging about a mile and a half per run, and working on going longer.  But, the real reason I feel inspired to post today was this article on the Runner's World website:

Wingspan by Kristin Armstrong  

I read her new article every week.  I don't really consider myself a "runner" (I suppose I probably should, since I do, in fact, run.)  But, her articles aren't really about running, they're about living.  And I love the perspective she has on life.  Here's my favorite part:

One night this week I took my kids out for Thai food and this was my fortune:
Failure is not defeat until you stop trying.
I smiled when I read it, shoving the cookie in my mouth and the tiny slip of paper into my wallet.  This one was a keeper.
How awesome is the idea that we are never defeated if we never stop trying.  We may stop and start again.  We may change our goal midway and soldier on.  We may retire and later re-enter the ring.  We may fail miserably and muster up the courage for a do-over.  We may let one dream go in order to make room for another, better dream.  Or we may realize that the dream we've held close all along matters now more than ever – and we approach it with renewed vigor.  We may take time to heal and then laugh again, trust again, love again, run again, start again.
If defeat is for quitters, then the victory remains in the try.