Category: Live Awake

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Courage, Dear Heart.

C.S. Lewis says, “Courage, Dear Heart.”

As I reached for my mug today and read the word courage, I was quickly reminded of what this means to me.

Every moment in life is a chance to pin courage on ourselves.

We continue to be tested… and when you are, say no and tolerate nothing less than what brings you peace and happiness.

We continue to be sculpted… and when you are, let the clay take the form of nothing less than what brings you awareness and stability.

We continue to be confronted by all the people, places, and things that leech upon us to suck the life out of us… and when you are, tolerate nothing less than what offers you good character and integrity.

Life will always test us. When you are reminded of this, remember that you are not required to please, settle, tolerate, accept, nor deposit anything that does match your goals, wellness, priorities, dreams, and blueprint.

Take your courage… pin it, share it, send it, save it, be it, keep it… but never lose sight of how you got it.

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Grit is Gold.

My life has certainly been a journey full of crazy moments, unpredictable seasons, challenge, adversity, and hope.

There are many things I have done wrong, choices I would have made differently… but my heart still swells at a random act of kindness.

Holding the door for a stranger, someone telling you your smile is priceless, a cup of coffee made perfect, sneakers and sunshine.

These prove to me everyday that in this crazy world gone mad… good still remains.

People make me laugh and sometimes scream, but helping them realize their worth, and reach their goals is my true purpose and passion.

Do not settle for brief moments, or average seasons of life. Know your worth… price tag that bi&c@ and own it.

Envision lays the foundation… but grit gets you there. Happy Friday, People!

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Wave at the Haters.

You have one life… one chance… one dream to leave a legacy. How you wake up and act today will set the stage for your life tomorrow.

Do I have regrets? Yes.

Do I stumble with my choices sometimes? Absolutely.

Do I know that I will never allow certain people, places, or things to be responsible for the detrimental navigation of my own happiness? You bet your ass I do.

Today is my day and yours‼️ Don’t politely tell this world who you are… SHOW THEM.

I promise you someone is watching❤️.

We have a choice, we have a say, and we determine who we will become… amen and amen!

#beyourownmayday #waveatthemhaters# smileatastranger

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No More Devaluation

How easy is it to devalue ourselves? Sometimes I must remind myself just how good I am doing in this moment. It’s so easy to devalue even the smallest of accomplishments. Do you occasionally allow yourself to feel less than?

Have you let the people, places and things that lowered your frequency for joyful living to infiltrate through tiny cracks of self-doubt?

Ask yourself today… did you try your best? Are you making small consistent changes for the betterment of your mind and health?

Do I lose myself from time to time? Absolutely.

Do I know that despite my inner demons trying to divert me to a place of pain and uneasiness… my inner warrior will steady my hand and keep me on the road to peace, health and gratitude? You bet do!

Today, I showed up for me.

Love yourself when no one is watching. Love yourself when you think you can’t take anymore… love yourself when you’re laughing through wonderful moments or crying through the trials.

Show up for you… because we are all working to become a better version of ourselves.

The best is yet to come… for me and for you.

Stay in Touch with Suzanne

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Thank you for supporting my writing endeavor at RunBeforeyouFly.com. I’m Suzanne Swanson and I’d love for us to keep in touch!

Receive daily inspiration via email when you sign up here.

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Be Your Own Mayday.

This morning I woke up to a crisp beautiful spring day. The sun is shining, I feel a cool breeze as I step outside.

This past week was one of the hardest I’ve endured in a long time. Adapting to the loss of my dog was so hard. I could feel myself slipping into a place I do not want to dare ever visit again.

With that as I laced my sneakers I thought about how life is ever changing… how life has been deeply kind to me… how lucky I am to feel so loved by so many.

I pondered how if we never take chances we simply cannot succeed, and that in order to keep growing I must allow myself to feel it all… and that it’s okay to be sad, that pain teaches us that while it’s horrid in the moment… even at its most powerful state it cannot rob us of better times ahead, nor take away the most precious memories.

Today is my first run in a week, as my feet slam this gravel… I think of how truly lucky I am for my resilience… for my legs… for the next journey set before me.

I don’t quit. I don’t roll over. I get up and I forge on… faith trumps fear. Hope surpasses despair… and the light always shines through the darkness.

How’s that for Mayday…

#beyourownmayday

#rungirl

Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! We’re sending Suzanne’s blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Don’t miss the next post… delivered straight to your inbox.

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Light It Up.

“Why do you do it?” I get asked frequently by many… “How do you find inner motivation? How can you wake up and find time?”

For me, the answer is simple. Not ever going back to a place of discontentment.

Why should we settle? Why should we continue to let people, places and things carve out the person we are? Our circumstances may be crappy, or seem minute. Our pasts may seem daunting, unjust, or just average.

If you want to be a force of nature… then wake up and do the work. Let the lessons of life guide you. Take small steps to release your crap, and say yes to challenge and change.

You are responsible for you. The haters will hate, the naysayers will vomit venom, the critics will judge. Get in your tunnel and light it up… let the world see what can you can do.

You don’t have to be the best, or the fastest. You just have to be consistent. I promise you, someone is watching you. Teach them something worth learning🖤.

Stay in Touch with Suzanne

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Thank you for supporting my writing endeavor at RunBeforeyouFly.com. I’m Suzanne Swanson and I’d love for us to keep in touch!

Receive daily inspiration via email when you sign up here.

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Rhode Island Half Marathon in the Books!

Just a few pictures to capture the joy of accomplishment. Rhode Island Half Marathon. First shot, just after crossing the finish line. Below that, fueling up with some Lucky Charms! With gratitude for my amazing life partner, who is always there with a smile at the finish line. Thank you for your unshakeable belief in me.

No great half marathon starts without having me some Lucky 🍀 Charms and an Americano with an extra shot!

Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! We’re sending Suzanne’s blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Don’t miss the next post… delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up to hear from Suzanne via email here.

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Lost and Found.

So many of us stay on a path lit with false promise, poisonous venom, and a plan to keep us on a road to destroying what we were all born to have… peace and stillness.

I will continue to share my story and be a vessel carrying Hope. We do not have to stay stuck. We choose it.

We do not have to stay lost. We choose it.

We do not have to let toxic people, places or things dictate who we are… we allow them to.

Release the voices that are trying to crush your spirit. Let go of what whatever is telling you victory is not possible.

Be kind today. Be patient with yourself. Drink some water. Peer out into the unknown… and find your way home.

“I once was lost… but now I’m found.”

Get up and get after it today. Draw the shades back, let the light in… and let’s say yes to life today!!

#getupandmove #peaceofmind #welcomehome


We are World Changers.

Run Before You Fly Private Facebook Group with Suzanne Swanson is open to all who wish to continue to share their experiences, love of running, and battles of life, with each other. Together we are better.