I ran (for lack of a better verb) with the Powered by Hope Team to raise scholarship money for kids to attend New Hope Academy. I can personally attest that this is a great cause. New Hope Academy is an incredible school with an audacious vision, to transform culture by creating a new generation of Christ-like leaders. I raised $670 dollars, of my $1,000 goal, and money is still trickling in. (You can donate here, by the way.)

Although I would have liked to have run faster and raised more, finishing 13.1 miles in the 75+ degree heat with the Nashville sun beating down on you and collecting over $500 is an accomplishment any way you slice it. But for some reason, I did not properly celebrate.

From the moment I crossed the finish line, even as I was running the race, I was thinking about how I was going to do it better next time. I was strategizing about my training. I was scheming about my fund raising. Last night, I realized that I truly never celebrated my completion. So today, I am taking a moment, to say “Yay Lindsey, you finished the race, a job well done.”

So tell me…how about you, do you take time to celebrate your achievements? Or do you find yourself always moving straight ahead to what is next?

Candidly there have been times when I resented those that exuded discipline. Yes, I said it – early risers, Weight Watchers success stories, check book balancers, and Iron Men – I have resented you for having motivation and follow-through that I could not muster.

Lindsey, Whitney, and Joe - 2008 Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville, TN

In January, I began training for the Country Music Half Marathon. I participated in the race last year, but my training was pitiful. This year I am training with  Powered by Hope and the Galloway Group. Our training runs are at 7 AM every Saturday morning, rain or shine. And get this, I actually look forward to it! Once I embraced this discipline, I felt happier and more accomplished.

I am hoping my discipline streak continues…we’ll see.

How do you really feel about discipline?

By the way, as I run the half marathon I am raising money for New Hope Academy. Visit here if you’d like to donate. It is a great cause!