2005 Tip #23:
Gifts that Keep on Giving

A few days after sending the Thanksgiving reflection about gifts, two related messages arrived –one from a Capitol advocate and one from our adventure racer on the California Wellness Task Force. Tim Yaryan’s is attached below, and Jim Garfield’s was in the form of a phone call and a DVD. The DVD was an excerpt from NBC’s coverage of the 2001 Ironman. One of Jim’s friend’s, Cherie Gruenfeld, was profiled during the broadcast. In Jim’s friend I discovered an inspirational woman helping California kids realize their dreams. Since the last tip was on the subject of our own huge potentials, our own talents and natural capabilities, I wanted to share with you their uplifting messages.

In 2000, Cherie Gruenfeld was invited to speak to a group of students at Cypress Elementary School about her adventures in triathlon. The kid’s response was magnetic. She found students struck with the idea that doing triathlons was something big, and cool, and doable. Exceeding Expectations was born. The triathlon based program begun by Cherie at Cypress Elementary School in Highland not only brings athletics to dozens of kids who would not otherwise have this opportunity, but more importantly brings dreams to these kids’ lives.

Included in her own athletic resume, Cherie, now 61, has completed the Hawaii Ironman World Championship 13 times and has won her age group in 6 of those races. This is the original Ironman we’re talking about–a 2.4 mile ocean swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run! Her passions challenge herself and motivate countless people both within and without the sport.

“Set a goal, and do what you have to do to accomplish that goal.” While Cherie has impressed upon her “students” to find something they are passionate about and go after it, her students have left their own mark on Cherie. Giving of herself, she is getting back so much more.

In this life “you take what you’re given; and you do with it what you can!”

And Tim’s reflections reminded me that whether it’s a birthday or the wind up of another calendar year, it’s helpful to pause and look at the good things in our lives:

“It’s the eve of my 60th year, so I guess that’s a milestone of sorts. And I'm down 95 lbs for the year, which is also another milestone of sorts.

I have good health. Well, I could lose more weight and get a new hip sometime, but overall I really can't complain much considering some of the traumas and difficulties I've faced, although “survived” may be a better word. I've been blessed with many talents and abilities and overcome hurdles that, in retrospect, have been rather remarkable. I hope that I've used my ability well and helped make a difference for good and maybe helped move the world to a little better place.

Reflecting back, there are a few things I'd do all over again… and I have some regrets, but, I've almost always given whatever I've undertaken my best effort. Most of my mistakes have been ones of the head and not of the heart .

I've been poor and lived with the poor and I've been rich and lived with the rich I prefer the company of the poor. I've met Presidents and Governors and Senators and gotten to know many people in power, and I've learned that there is no special quality that makes these people any different than you or me. I've learned that if you don't care about credit, you can get a lot done.

I've traveled in much of the world and had the opportunity to live in many places. I've learned the common elements of diversity and realize that we have much more in common than not…We all need love and family and friends, someone to care for and someone to care for us. I have enough friends to love and care about.

I've learned that the hard times pass even when it seems like the dark clouds will never part. I've learned that success is getting up off the mat just one more time when you don't think you can. You can never win if you stay down and I've learned that you must make lemonade when you get dealt lemons.

I try to approach life’s challenges with a cheerful, robust attitude and to never worry about failing. I am not afraid to take a measured risk even though I've been bitten in the [rear] more than a few times. I'd rather be playing on the field than sitting on the bench.

I've learned too that I can ramble on too long too, so I will leave this with one final sentiment: thank you for being a part of my life.”

In this holiday season as we look back and look ahead, as we assess our health and our future, may we all find those gifts we can give that keep on giving--in a way that is positive for others and will be, naturally, positive for us, too.