The Trouble With California Is....

I find myself surrounded by non-stop entertainment. This is not the problem. A friend who just landed here in the City of Angels said it best, "I love it that there's always something to do here!".

This is the problem. The sport industry is one, if not the only, industry still maintaining a profit during this economic climate. The multi-billion dollar wonderful world of sports still remains to be an escape for those seeking to put their troubles away if only for a minute.

The trouble with this is, the competition in Los Angeles for an escape is overwhelming. Not to mention the endless avenues to take your troubles away, it's the lack of avenues to pull you back to reality. Too many here are way above the ground. Too many here are caught up in the glitz and glamor. Too many here can't pay their rent, but in their pursuit to be the next big star are dropping benjamins. I am all about following your dreams. I am all about being true to yourself, going for it, living life to the fullest. Los Angeles is not filled with those who are being true to themselves. The city is overpopulated with those who don't even know who "they" are.

Hollywood's appeal has prevented so many with potential to benefit from living. No, I don't mean materialistically. Material possession is not the problem here. The yearning for it is. People don't go to the gym to look and feel better, they go to be perceived to look better. Come on ladies, you do not need to get ready to go sweat. I'd say every other person is comprised of plastic and if not, they want to be. It's practically a crime to not drive, stay in on a Friday night or eat meat.

I really believe the lack of support for the sport industry has been formulated from all the emphasis on the arts. As in everything in life, there needs to be a balance. With sport comes well-being, athleticism, proper nutrition, leadership, teamwork, goal achievements. Athletes have been degraded by the entertainment industry. We rarely hear about their philanthropic endeavors, but about their love life, arrests and extravagances.

If it wasn't for a Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles might not even know what hockey is. Can you imagine what the NBA presence would be if Kobe wasn't a Laker. I shouldn't even say that aloud. And football, there isn't a professional team for miles. My issue isn't with the sport industry, it is with the lack of acceptance for alternate forms of entertainment in LaLa land.

We want our children to be grounded, healthy, educated and future leaders, than provide them with a well-rounded environment that exploits these characteristics. Throwing hundred thousand dollar birthday parties, giving breast implants as presents and continuously pushing to be famous will only bring the city down in flames.

Then again, the state did vote for a actor.

Just Run

It's no surprise, I love to run. The benefits are numerous, stellar and achievable each and every time I go. No matter how far, how fast or how long there is a sense of accomplishment after. This accomplishment is mine, solely mine, mine alone. No one else helped me, well maybe my iPod, but the soundtrack was still mine.

Now, I am a firm believer in team sports. The benefits of belonging to a team, forming life-long bonds, pulling together to defeat, feeling as if you play a vital role in the success, learning, teaching, leading.... As with everything in life, there needs to be a balance. So if I am blessed to partake in both team and individual sports in my life, why should I not? Who I am today is so much because of the relationships I've made as a member of a team and the running community.

Whether you're having a bad day, need to unwind, just broke up with your boyfriend, had a fight with your mom, can't make a decision if your life depended on it, have too much free time, need to feel like you're in control, suffer from OCD or need to loose a few pounds, running can be that cure. The power of running is exponential.

Once call yourself a runner, you are not alone. There is a bond. You may be all alone running your chosen path, but as another crosses your path this complete stranger shares a connection with you that only fellow runners can. Even when you're not the one kicking up dust, you connect. When I see a runner and it's not me out there, I'm pissed. Pissed because I wish I was running. Pissed because they may be going faster or farther than I. Pissed because they are escaping. I may be pissed, but I still smile. Smile because I will be them. Smile because I have the power to go as far, fast and long as I want to. Smile because I am blessed with the ability to feel. If only I could lead others to this victory, this high.

This individual sport is far larger than any team. Membership is only up to you. You choose.