The keepsakes you surround yourself with matter

The keepsakes you surround yourself with matter.

This morning, I grabbed my coffee cup.

It had the Famous Zig Zag – a symbol of the Authentic Marathon in Greece.

I bought it two days before I ran my first marathon in November 2018. It was one of the most grueling events of my life. I ran, I walked, and I struggled. My cousin (Thanks for joining me Shane Bannister) and I passed each other a few times throughout the race. We walked most of the 15th mile together. It was more punishing than I could have ever imagined.

I thought of my newborn daughter at the time who was sitting with her mom (Thank you Emily Dugas) watching my times on the app at our rental. I thought of the health journey I had begun 14 months before. I thought of all the people (thank you Merv Symes, Mark Symes, Sheila Cameron) who supported my life without alcohol.

I finished in 4 hours and 17 minutes.

Your environment, and the items you choose to surround yourself with, have the power to reinforce the messages you hold dear. They have the power to remind you of what matters most. And they have the power to rekindle moments and memories that make you smile the most.

That cup – That symbol does all three every time I pick it up.