Go on.. GO GET IT.

This weekend was filled with a couple of stellar events that left me inspired. I want to share them both. Though, they aren’t related OR are they?  The more I thought about them the more I realized they both carry the same heavy theme. DETERMINATION! So, what are these two inspiring events? First one is a concert.  The second is the Chicago Marathon.  Apples to Apples right? J

I’ll start with the concert since it occurred first in order.

A good friend of mine is the assistant to a music agent that reps Imelda May (rock-a-billy type music) and was able to get a plus one for me.  Imelda May played at the Park West Friday night.  Let me tell you - this lassie and her boys are blowin’ up! For the third time this year she was on Jay Leno. She rocked it at Lollapalooza and she is consistently selling out gigs across the US.  

Ah, Imelda May – you sassy, saucy oh-so talented singer, I love you!  

Little bit of background for you all - Imelda hails from Dublin, Ireland. From what I know, she comes from a seedy part of town that doesn’t offer much.  With such strong limitations, it takes a special kind of determination to push through and break down social and envrionmental barriers.  That is exactly what she and fellow band mates did. They never gave up on their dream and hopes. The worked their asses off and now feeling the rewards of their EARNED success.  It’s easy to give up. To list of reasons why NOT to continue with a dream, but what kind of life is that?

And this now leads me into the second part of my post.  Sunday morning I headed downtown to the Chicago Marathon. My brother-in-law, Fred was running.

This was his first.  HE DID AWESOME!!!! 

I have to admit originally the only reason I agreed to go was because my sister had asked if I would meet her up. She wanted support in cheering for him. Of course, I love my family and a firm believer being present for major events. Though, the 6am wake-up call on the weekend was a daunting task.  Boy, I am glad that I did go. I met her at mile 3 and I was instantly overcome with emotions. The energy was pounding from the pavement.  Spectators lined along the 26.2 mile route shook bells and screamed affirmations at runners. Their encouragement was received by the runners as they passed they smiled and raised their fist in the air. They were saying “YES, THANK YOU I CAN AND WILL DO THIS.” Several times I choked back tears. I felt inspired. I was now THANKFUL to be there with my sister and everyone else. I rang my cowbell and screamed into the crowd. Runners had their names written on their shirts or arms –  I howled “keep it going, you’re doing great >insert name here<”   

We moved from mile 3 to mile 12 to mile 23 to the finish line. Every marker we saw Fred. HE LOOKED AMAZING. He started running a year ago. WOW. The determination he gave on this day – for this day is beyond inspiring.  He may never run another one again or he may run 50 more, but either way he set out to do something and did it.  I fight back the tears as I write this now – Life at times is hard and unfair and has the ability to throws us all for a curve, BUT, life is also YOURS for the taking! IF you want IT then you will get IT. Cliché, but true – put your mind to something and skies the limits on what can be achieved.  So, whatcha gonna go after?