Tag Archives: Spiritual

Transformation

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Transformation – a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. A metamorphosis during the life cycle of an animal.

Ten years ago, when I started this blog, I had no idea how running would transform my life. And you have been there every step of the way. With over 223 posts, you have watched me evolve. From writing about my training and giving reviews, to getting deep and personal. From being excited to finish my first marathon, to completing a 100-miler. From being married, to divorced, to becoming a single mother. From living life happily as-is to living life with a deep sense of purpose and gratitude.

With every evolution, you were there. With every transformation, you were there. With every twist and turn, you were there. Have you transformed as well during that time? Tell me. I’d like to know.

I had hoped to have gotten back to running by now. My last few posts promised it. And I also hoped to have run a 50 miler on my 50th birthday, which was last week. Instead, I was drinking mai-tai’s on the beach in Curacao with friends (not a bad option 2!). I had hoped to get back to writing my blog, but it’s been a year since my last post. Is anyone still out there reading? Are you still with me? Do you still look for me?

I’m still a runner at heart. I see runners on the street, and I smile. I am green with envy when I see friends post about their training and races, and admittedly, I sometimes get really down about it and a little angry. And I say to myself, someday, someday, someday. Is anyone else in the same boat? Or is it just me?

But here’s the thing, while I’m not the same person who was learning what the heck a Garmin was ten years ago, I’m still the same person who wants to inspire and motivate. To make you laugh and maybe cry with me on occasion. To make you believe in yourself because if I can do it, why can’t you. To make you feel not alone in your journey even if we have different paths. To make you feel okay to be you because I have learned to be okay with me. I want to continue to do this for you.

I still want to share my journey with you and share all the wonderful things I’ve learned along the way. While I’ve taken a step back from running, I’m taking a step forward to helping others transform their lives. Helping them to elevate themselves and live authentically. To discover the core of who they are, and embrace themselves as genuine heart-lead beings. To learn to love themselves to learn to become leaders in every aspect of their lives with love and compassion. With grit and determination. With resilience and empathy. To discover and ignite the excellence within. To have a ripple effect that changes the collective in a positive light.

I don’t know when or if I’ll be back to my So What? I run. page or social media accounts, but if you’d like to continue this journey with me, I invite you to sign up for my upcoming monthly newsletters on my www.thesandyjames.com website. My content will contain personal reflections as well as offer free tools and guidance on authentic living and I’ve already created something for you to give you a taste of what I’m doing. You may also follow my new Facebook and Instagram pages.

And while my new stuff won’t be running-focused, it will certainly touch on everything that I have learned through running: to believe in myself, to understand nothing is impossible, to dream big, to never give up, to live in gratitude, to embrace all that I am, flaws and all, and to live life to its fullest measure.

Thank you for all the years together and all of your encouragement and support. Words cannot describe the gratitude I have for each of you. I really would love to continue to connect with you on my new platforms and hope to see you there. But if our paths don’t cross there, perhaps one day our paths will cross again on the trails.

With so much love and gratitude,

Sandy

Moose

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My love for nature has grown over the years, and I attribute it to trail running. As a child, I loved being outdoors. My earliest memories of being out in nature was when I was about five or six. We were stationed at Kadena Air Base, and I would wander off and explore the woods all the time. Times were different back then. Parents really didn’t worry about kids playing outside all day. But then, during my teen years into my late thirties, I lost that love for nature. I was all about partying and hanging out with friends. It wasn’t until I started trail running that my heart remembered and fell in love again.

If you have been following me from the beginning, you know how much running shifted my life, especially trail running. Running helped me discover the core of who I am and gave me the confidence to do great things. It also took me deeper into my spirituality and put me on the path to explore those areas. And in this, I discovered Shamanism.

So, what is Shamanism?

“Shamanism is an ancient healing tradition and moreover, a way of life. It is a way to connect with nature and all of creation. The word shaman originates from the Tungus tribe in Siberia. Anthropologists coined this term and have used it to refer to the spiritual and ceremonial leaders among indigenous cultures worldwide. The word Shamanism can be used to describe the ancient spiritual practices of these indigenous cultures.” https://www.shamanism.com/what-is-shamanism

Last fall, I started my journey into Shamanism and began my apprenticeship last week. During some discovery, I found that my grandmother was a medicine woman. Did I ever tell you that my mother is Taiwanese and I was born in Taiwan? I can’t remember. But our family is indigenous to Taiwan and has farmed the land from what I can tell is forever. And perhaps this is a reason why I felt a calling into Shamanism. Not only because I want to connect deeper with nature and all of creation, but because it’s in my blood.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a ceremony to welcome the Spring Equinox. We participated in water, cacao, despacho, and fire ceremonies. It was beautiful. It was sacred. It was healing. It solidified that I wanted to continue down this path.

Spring Equinox Despacho Ceremony

Last week during a Shamanism class, we paired up with another student to gift each other a power animal. Power animals are guardian spirits in animal form. You can call upon an animal on your own, or through journeying with a partner, one can be called in for you. I was gifted the power animal of a Moose. Honestly, my first thought was…a moose??? Where’s my eagle? What about a lion (which I’ve gotten in the past). But this time, it was the Moose that came forward. After some research, I realized how perfect it was. Here’s some of what I found out below:

The “Moose symbolizes the expression of joy when something has been an accomplishment, not in a ‘show-off look at me; I want recognition ‘kind of way but in a true sense of sharing that springs from knowing how infectious joy is. Moose is also a symbol of being headstrong, longevity, wisdom, confidence, self-esteem, primal feminine energy, and steadfastness.” https://www.shamanicjourney.com/moose-power-animal-symbol-of-self-esteem-courage

The Moose spirit animal signifies strength, pride, and life. It’s not very difficult to decipher the moose symbolism because its message focuses on seeking the truth and finding the guidance within you. People who carry the moose symbolism are being called to work with the oppositions in their lives. Be inspired by the Moose, who’s clumsy and graceful and strange and breathtaking at the same time. For the Moose, attitude makes a whole lot of difference. Stay cool even when things are not working out, and remember not to sweat it! “Read more at: https://trustedpsychicmediums.com/spirit-animals/moose-spirit-animal/

Everything about the Moose is perfect. So, here I am, with my Moose. Digging deeper into self.

The Story Behind the Necklace

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Not running related, but I figured I’d write about this anyway. It’s funny how many comments I’ve had over the year about my little ol’ necklace. I guess people have noticed it in all of my bazillion running selfies. I wear it everywhere, day and night, during training, in races, in the shower, and in bed. In fact, it’s actually tied to my neck with a silk cord (probably not safe…don’t get me psycho killer) and I’ve only taken it off a few times to clean and polish the silver around the stones. The stones are not turquoise as some believe, but instead, it’s Larimar. Continue reading →