These dreams go on when I close my eyes

I never remember dreams and for once I remember 2 back-to-back involving the same person who recently hasn't even talked to me. Not sure if its cause that's been on my mind or what but its rare to NEVER that I remember dreams so I am writing them out in case something comes of them.


Sunday night dream

He called me, for the first time-I remember thinking it odd since he never has and was going to tell me something, needed to tell me something but got cut off and then I woke up

Monday night dream

I was heading (late) for a class which while it reminded me of the English class I took with Marie in college, I think was some health course.  He called me to remind me to bring a snack cause I wouldn't have time to eat. Once I arrived apparently the professor has asked the class to introduce themselves and tell the one thing they would've done if talent, ability, education, and knowledge weren't a problem. He had just spoken his mentioning someone like Charles Something. I went and sat in the back of the class and after he finished he got his stuff from the front and brought it to the back to desk beside me, along with a bowl of chicken noodle soup the professor apparently made for the class (which I found convenient). I was thinking of what I would say, which was a ballerina since that's what I always wanted to do as a child and still enjoy watching to this day, when I woke up.

Taking back the trail

So  I know I missed a post from my first long run on a road, and then Mondays run before I even get to today's.

Saturday was a 12 mile run and my first long run on a paved trail. I ran straight from my house to the Silver Comet and brought one goo thing to take half way. It went well and I ran faster then I thought I'd be able to, hitting an average of 8:30 minute per mile.  The weather has been great so that mixed with actually taking a supplement really helped my time.

 yes that is a Vulcan salute 

 my time was really better but I did a cool-down which killed the pace per mile on the bottom, I've still not loaded my data off the Garmin so this is all I've got. I want to put it on a new laptop but doubt that I should spend the money on it, so until I decide to this will have to do.

It was so nice to see so many runners and people on the trails Saturday morning!  Women running in pairs as well as some running alone like myself, as well as men and families.  We cannot let fear control us and scare us away from doing what we love.

Together we can take back the trails.

Monday Tina and I ran at the gym, so nothing very exciting except we got to watch Bones, I've never ran to a show before really so it was interesting.

Today I decided to run the advanced run of 8 instead of the 5 I usually do, mainly cause Saturday I won't be able to do my long run since I'm running the Savage race with a friend that is coming up from Florida.  Again the weather was amazing and Oreo even ran the whole thing with me.  I think that doing the same route (he's a bit scared of cars and cyclists) we always ran in the neighborhood was getting to him so I risked it and took him on the trail which really helped power him.

I will admit that I miss my runs with the Lord...I hate that the idea of trying to run again without music and just my thoughts and prayers to God. The idea of being quiet before Him as nature surrounds me sounds great but impossible for me. I guess at least I still have the desire to be with Him intimately. I just have to find a way we can.

I think training for my marathon, knowing I have certain distances and speeds I need to reach is making it harder, but after I've achieved this I want to return to these calmer runs. The runs I did just for fun, just to being with my heavenly Father.

On a side note we had to reschedule our Prophecy group to Thursday this week in place of Tuesday so cannot wait for that!

Lastly, the group workout I had mentioned in a few posts didn't workout. Which does show me that I think God has me going in a different direction, but at least allowed me to meet two wonderful people along the way. Now I have the rest of this year to save and think about becoming a substitute Ride instructor for Gold's, if they still need one by then.

Running & Revelation 17

Another great run with Oreo. Not quite as fast as yesterday, but still so proud that he ran a little over 5 miles. His time was above 9:30 minute miles but he was definitely getting tired.

I've been trying to figure out the change, and what I think has helped is the temperature dropping (major help), me running him more in general, I've started not holding the leach tight and letting him try to run just on his own around me which I definitely think has contributed. But the last two runs I've also tried something else, encouragement.

When he starts to fall behind I've started calling him, not a quick tug yet just a sweet happy Oreo call. The kind I do when I just get home & want to get him all excited. I really think it helps. Right after calling he usually comes trotting back beside me, or closer at least then he was.  It definitely shows me the power of being positive and an uplifting spirit. Encouragement goes a long way and is something if I am wanting to become certified in Ride I'll need to learn better.

17 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

5 And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.

6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

The drunk with the wine of her fornication reminds me of those who use wine for communion, which I don't find wrong personally let me just say now. Oftentimes the church will use a fancy cup when they do which also reminds me of what is described... But what came to mind this morning is that if they were taking communion and the Lord felt like she cheated on Him, and not just her but lead how many others to do the same...how horrible, openly defying God while acting like you are serving the Lord, you are really mocking Him and His sacrifice. Acting like she's serving God while killing and misleading His people.  
Of course she's riding the beast, so I guess that kinda shows the state that the world is in during this time. Cause also, she is splendorous enough that she causes him, knowing all this about her, to have "wondered with great admiration"

Hard to imagine anyone would look up and follow someone like that, yet we will, and then again, look at most of the celebrities and sport stars, artists, and politicians. Look at what they do, listen to the news and see it's not hard to believe after all...

It's all gone to the dogs...

So today I did another 5 miles with Oreo, and although I felt exhausted before I even started and I worried about my knees handling it, we had a very good run. With the breeze and slightly cooler temperature it felt awesome. And he did great!

For the first time in what feels like forever (although really less then a year) he ran over 3.5 miles and didn't drag me.

The first 3 miles he ran at an average 9 minute mile pace, and the last 2.5 at less then 9:30 minute miles.  I am so very proud of him!

Last night I took r30 (the short & sweet bike class at Gold's Gym) and then did back and arms again before heading home.

I'm really considering getting my certification with ride so I  can be a substitute instructor...I really do enjoy the class.  But that is a long ways away from now.

I have some time to decide, and see how group workout does, but I really do think I may try to get certified next year once my marathon is overwith. What attracted me to Strong was the christian background it had, but they've kinda watered it down to attract more people...but then to me, it makes it no different then all the other "group" workouts out there, and we have a few in the area already...so I'm just not sure.

In the meantime, aside from my obstacle races, I have a half  I might do with a friend for Thanksgiving in place of my Gobblejog 10k/5k I usually do and maybe a couple 5ks with another friend, so things are coming along!

In our prophesy group we have been having an in-depth study of the day of the Lord and are about to discuss the various views on the rapture, or great catching away, which should be interesting!

Monday quicky

So first day of my second week, ran at the gym again today. Went nicely which I was worried about honestly after my long trail run Saturday. Did abs after and stretched. So workouts I'm doing well, eating and portions not so much lol but I can't think of my past failures but how I can do better from now on.

Gotta keep my post short today bit I'll catch y'all up later!

trail running to honor

So after work yesterday I split my warm up between the arc trainer and the stair climber, 15 minutes each thanks to my friend who convinced me to push myself and do the stairs (I almost didn't worrying about my knee-which did totally fine). I then did upper body and back, still working on my unassisted pull-up goal, even though I'm taking a break from attempting them.

I started my morning finally trying to have something to prepare (I usually workout on an empty stomach on Saturday mornings just cause I don't feel up to anything) and did a shake with some unsweetened almond milk, which was light enough I could handle it but filling enough for the adventure that awaited me. I'm really loving this protein powder by P4P! No sponsoring needed for me either I just really do like the protein powder, it's good quality stuff. Thanks to Kenneth  (use his code Hulk15 to save 15%) for introducing me to it. I have the ice cream sandwich flavor now but need to try the chocolate lol.

Today I chose to do my first long run on Sweetwater Creek State Park with a group of friends. It was a slower run but it was really fun and way more challenging for me then just running on the paved roads and trails I'm accustomed to. 

After getting slightly off course the first lap, having to slow to a walk a little during the rocky edge near the river, I finished at 6 miles and one of the guys ran a second lap with me for the remaining 5 (since I really am not supposed to run alone, although I do it got kinda empty there sometimes). It was really nice to run with someone again, although I felt bad cause I knew I was holding him back. He told me what someone told him once, something like a runners oath, "you run with those faster then you to push you, and in turn run with those slower then you to pass the same along to another".  If I can run with people slower then me, I need to learn to be okay with running with people faster then me again.  

He also let me have his coconut water which I don't drink often cause usually I find it kinda gross, but this was actually good!

My long run was supposed to only be 10 miles but I upped it 1 for a virtual run I wanted to do, 11 on the 11th, or for me 11th for the 11th. I couldn't afford it and a new friend surprised me and bought the virtual entry for me!  So grateful and honored that he would, it made this mean even more then it already did. Not only running with friends, but now for a friend, who cannot run anymore. Plus running for our country and those that helped others and lost their lives that horrible day in 2001. While the one act spoke of the horror of humanity, the response after shows the love and greatness that we are capable of!  We can do so much when we come together in love.

Running about with nowhere to go

Today I went it alone for my 5 miles and headed close to the busy street leading to the Silver Comet Trail. After the attack it's still weird for me to run there, but I really enjoyed it and did way better on my time today.  While yesterday just staying above 10 mph was good, today I stayed above 9 mph and actually hung out around 8:30 for an average mph.

I then rushed home, against my usual desire I made a quick chicken onion healthier quesadilla with avocado, salsa, and some homemade pinto beans with it...and then rushed back out to go for group workout...where Isabel and I ended up talking and having nobody show up.

I do think God used it, we had a great conversation and she helped me face some things about myself I need to deal with and work on. One being my self esteem and self confidence. I need to learn to trust myself and stand up for me. She also suggested us running a half together which I am totally game for!

Anyways we never ended up working out and I  headed back home where I tried doing some squats and lunges really quick, but I think I over stretched my right hip so squats didn't happen very well... 

5 mile hump day & a STRONGer tomorrow

So today was day 3, and one of the first days we didn't have a rain or storm change looming over my head, so with the beautiful weather I was really looking forward to going on my run today.

The training schedule has either a 5 mile for beginners or 8 mile run for advanced. I was considering the 8 miles if I ended up feeling super awesome during my run, although this is still by first marathon my ego and excitement thought I could handle it...until I got out there that is.

Headed home after work, changed and hooked up Oreo (my furry running buddy) we started out slow, but I was sure after warming up our speed would improve...I was sure...

So that didn't really happen. Usually Oreo can make it for 3 miles but after 1.7-2 miles he was kinda done so I ran him up to the yard and dropped him off.  Hoping that it was partly him slowing me down I started on my own, but yeah no.  My speed didn't improve much, in fact my mind kept wandering off into everything else I didn't need it to, everything about after I was done running.

I was running only to finish running...which is no way to run

I had to make myself focus, prayed for the Lord to help me push through, and finally with His help my speed got better and I finished my run with an extra half mile added for a total of 5.5 miles.

God pulled me through.

After I did my abs routine, same as Monday, and stretched...

I have our second group workout event tomorrow, along with another 5 mile run so I'm kinda scared at how crazy tomorrow will be...only by the Lord above with I survive.

I'm starting to feel so pulled thin, it's hard cause I have a passion for so many things and have so much I want to accomplish, but I've been wanting to run a marathon almost my whole life. It's been on my bucket list from the beginning. Trying to do both is hard to pull off.

I just have to believe that if God gave me the passion He will give me a way

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." 

Joshua 1:9King James Version (KJV)

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

1 Corinthians 10:13King James Version (KJV)

rollin' with my homies and the prophecy group

So today was a cross training day, so I took r30 at Gold's gym, a 30 minute bike class at the gym and then hit a back & arms workout before heading home.  Some of the instructors have talked to me about getting certified to teach ride and becoming a substitute instructor...I didn't realize I was good enough for that. Being a white girl I fit the stereotype of having no rhythm...really I can dance the running man and the macarena.  After discussing with two instructors I respect and looking into it, I cannot afford the training currently and with my marathon training schedule and Team Strong starting I don't want to add it to my schedule, plus it's too expensive to get certified. I'm hoping at the start of next year I might be able to though.

(old picture from my birthday but hey it's what I had)

On Tuesdays I've started attending a Prophecy small group, my mother and her friend host, Sharron and Sharon. I kinda think of it as the Prophecy group by Sharron², two Sharon's for the price of one. Every Tuesday we discuss current events relating to the bible and end times prophecy. My mother has done so much research in this and shared with Sharon, and I've read a bunch she's recommended so it's been very interesting and people I've not even thought originally would be interested have really taken to it so it's been really great.

It brings to mind Acts and the early rain when the church was in the houses, and now the latter rain should be the same.  I don't seem to really feel God and the Lord in church the way I used to, while I go, it seems more about the church as a government then it really does a relationship with the Lord God Almighty.  And with so much going on nowadays that is an obvious sign of the times, it's nice to get together with other believers and discuss what God has been putting on our hearts, encouraging each other, praying, and just the fellowship.  It gives me hope in a world that has so little in it.

Marathon blogging

Hello and sorry it's been awhile. I've thought of posting many times but never did manage to get on here. So today, the same day I start my marathon, my goal is to blog it's progress daily, or at least after the runs.

My plan has me running Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, with a long run on Saturdays.  I plan to try and do strength training on the other days with 1-2 day(s) off.

So here's the tentative schedule:

Monday - run / abs / stretch

Tuesday - r30? / back, chest, arms

Wednesday - run / abs / stretch

Thursday - run / workout

Friday - off / back, chest, arms

Saturday - long run / stretch

Sunday - off / back, chest, arms

I'm not sure if I want my full day off before or after the long run, and also as distance increases whether I should cut and have 2 days off or not but we shall find out!

Today was day 1 and I had to run 6 miles. Wanted to outside but threat of bad weather scared me into the gym instead.

Not my best time but I was going for just a more fun run being my first day. After using Pinterest I found this abs workout which really got me!

 

I only did 3 sets but I'm hoping by the end I'll be up to the 5 sets. 

Anyhoo, here we go!

unconditional acceptance

There are people in all our lives who are supposed to love us regardless of how annoying we can be. It's part of the job description that comes with being in a family, or joining one. I'm not the easiest person to love, obviously or I probably wouldn't still be single, but somehow most of my family figures out a way to love me despite myself. Some can't stop looking towards my past, but try their best to love me despite, and honestly probably would never tell me they love me. They know I assume they do and we keep our relationship there.  But sometimes, family doesn't hold up the job description. So what do you do? It hurts...to realize that they don't. To see them loving so many others in your family, to have such wonderful things to say about everyone else and yet for me, I cannot always feel the same.

This all kinda brought me down yesterday, I had a great time at the movies after work, skipping my workout to eat too much popcorn and then head home to lasagna a dairy-free gal shouldn't eat...which means I ate too much. This made me feel bad, which means once my family found out I get fussed at, lectured and all my actions are looked at as if I still have an eating disorder. While I will admit I struggle with a mental battle that I will probably always have to fight, I am no where close to where I was and I hate when they act like I am.
Anyways the whole thing is all as much my fault for being silly and overemotional as everyone's, so I retreated to take a bath when I realized that I couldn't recall any positive statement made regarding me by one family member in particular. Feeling awkward after that, I kinda hung out in my room, figuring it would be best in my current emotional state anyways.

This morning looking back to the whole evening, my mistakes and what I could change, and what I can't (I do need to work on not letting one night of horrible eating ruin my evening, but I cannot change that my family can't seem to let go of my past) I realized something...

They didn't love Christ either. Christ loved us so much He came down to save all our lives, and while He did have many who loved Him, who spoke kindly of Him, there were more that didn't.  One of His closest, His family of disciples didn't even love Him, and betrayed Him. If the world treats Him that way, someone deserving of so much more love and respect then why would they me?

So WWJD?  What would Jesus do? What did Jesus do...He loved them regardless, He gave His life for them regardless.  And that is what I need to learn, to lay down my life, my needs, my wants for love and acceptance and love them anyways.

Mark 12:30-31King James Version (KJV)

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

But first I also need to learn to love myself more, I tend to be so hard on myself, always disappointed especially after a night like last night when I behaved so poorly and let my emotions get the best of me. But I cannot change the past I can only give it to God, ask for forgiveness and work towards a better today, a better tomorrow.  If my family can love me despite myself, and if God can love me despite myself, then I should be able to.

Planting Seeds

The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another's, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises.

Leo Buscaglia

So I'm supposed to be teaching classes with the Georgia Team workout, so when I get the chance to take a class at my gym, with an instructor I really enjoy that pushes me, I've been watching them, observing to hopefully figure out what about them draws me to work harder, how they make me so much more driven then I am alone.

First was an instructor in Gold's gym's ride class every Saturday morning, 8:15 am.  I'm not one that can ride a bike indoors without being in a decent class. While she's not quite as exuberant as some, as the class goes on she opens up more. Somewhere within the ride get so motivated to keep going, to push myself and I realize its cause as she teaches she is pushing herself as well as everyone else. When she yells at you to keep going, she's really yelling at herself and there is something so motivating about that!  Her drive to give it all she has moves me to do likewise!

The Second Instructor teaches not only ride, but also core and power at least. His sense of  humor as well as attitude and awareness of the class. He uses humor to lighten your mood, and pays attention to all the class, not only to make sure they are doing it correctly, but just so they know they were noticed. No one wants to be in a class where their presence is not acknowledged.  He also does a great job of pushing everyone as he pushes himself.

Passion is an amazing thing, people can see it, can feel it. They know if it's real or if you are just putting on a show. You have to care about what you are doing or people wont care. Every class you teach, you are planting seeds in everyone's life and tending to those seeds.

I have an interesting history with not only food, but fitness and the gym.  At one point I became obsessed with running, and once I ran 10.5 miles, I then had to every time I ran or I would be a failure to myself. This of course is not healthy seeing as I ended up running 10.5 miles 5 days a week. You can only keep that up for so long until it does something to your body, and mind. Especially when your dietary intake is not sufficient enough for that level of exercise. Shortly afterwards I met with someone (now a close friend) and had to basically stop all cardio until I got my weight up...I over ran myself yet again. Then, when able, could only do 10 minutes of cardio a day.

Taking a break ended up being the best thing, not only for me physically and mentally, but for my relationship with running, I had made it a chore, something I was obligated to do and it lost its joy.

I've not regained my love for running along with a better awareness for how far to push myself.  While I am planning on running a marathon this year, I space out my runs and do them at paces and distances that fit. Yesterday for instance, after much fighting with myself I cut my run short since I was not feeling the best that morning and didn't want the 95° temperature to make me worse.  Doing that although reluctantly, made my run so much more enjoyable then if I had tortured myself for the full run I had intended.

Must remember:
I can always run a long run another day...and I am not a horrible person for only running a 5k instead.

(plus Oreo would've not made it for a longer run lol) 

I bring this all up because unknowingly I may have planted seeds in a friends life, I now watch doing the same I did.  Over exercising, under-eating...getting injured from the abuse they're trying to push though and call it 'healthy'. How do you help someone who is doing what you yourself did just a few years ago, heck maybe sooner...I've given advice when they started having a few pains and inquired of me, but I don't feel I'm in a position to just tell them what they are doing to themselves...they wouldn't listen. I never did.

So I stand back, watch and pray...I hope they learn the lesson I did...and hopefully not too late.  I don't know if I am partly to blame or not but it just goes to show you, you never know who might be watching, absorbing your actions, unconsciously or consciously.

Make sure the seeds you plant are fruitful and not weeds

Psalm 139 eyes.

It's funny how some of the smallest things stick with you. A small favor or act, gesture, comments, or questions.

The first thing that my Georgia team workout decided to hold was a Stone Mountain Laser Show

It was such an amazing time!  During our time together at the top, I was asked a question that has stuck with me. 

We were discussing my raynaud's phenomenon when David (mentioned in my last post) thinks this has something to do with my low blood pressure. It tends to be about 96 and when it gets in the 100's I kinda get freaked a bit. I like my blood pressure low, like everything.  I like a low weight, body fat %...and in the midst of all this another friend, who really understands me when it comes to my issues, asked me, 

Why was a low weight, low numbers, so important to me.

Honestly I had to think cause I'm still not really sure, but here's my best attempt for an answer.

I've always liked numbers, I was good at math as a child it came naturally to me really.Addition and subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, less than, more than, or equal to. They know there place, and they are unchanging, unwavering.  I however haven't always liked myself, I have rarely liked myself really. I'm a perfectionist who feels she's never as good as she wants herself to be. I do the one major no-no and compare myself to people with this killer workout and diet and me, struggling. Mind you we are in two very different places, they oftentimes have lives where it's not as much of a problem, living alone and financially able while I try to balance my healthy lifestyle at home while living with all my family and keep them from getting offended while being totally broke. Do I factor that in when I feel like I've failed, do I count my attempts? No, I failed and in the end, excuses and reasoning doesn't matter I didn't do what I should. This feeling of not meeting my own standards turns into standards I feel everyone else holds to me also, whether they do or not. Mix that with all the years I've been made fun of as a child, and I guess I've learned to not appreciate myself as much as I should. 

That turns into the basic factor that less of me must be a good thing.

Being that I've not dated much, and I've not been in any real long term relationships, subconsciously I've gotten to where I figure it must be me, so then again, less of me may be more appealing then more of me.  

I've always wanted to be this little, petite, girly girl. The one you see looking up at the guy, kissing him on, her toes.  I want to be little enough that I can run and leap randomly on a guy and he'll be able to hold me up. I want to be enveloped by him, covered. Why? Not sure, I guess I feel safer and protected that way. Here again, I'm really into the small thing, my favorite actress for instance is Audrey Hepburn, not that I will ever be as small as her, I find her beautiful on the inside and out. Maybe that's partly why I feel the way I do.

What's amazing about her is that it's not that she loved being small, but she embracd herself in a time when being small wasn't popular. She took what society said wasn't beautiful and dressed it up and believed it was anyways.

 It's something I'm working on.  While I've improved on my number obsession, and I've learned to love me (I like me more currently then I have previously in all of my life) but it is still a process, I've spent many years putting too much importance on the "less is more" concept and it's not something I can mentally just turn off. But we are all a work in progress, and this is just my own and with Christ's help I'll begin to see myself through Psalm 139 eyes.

Strength becomes me

How Strong are you?

I don't necessarily mean just physically, but strength in its entirety. 

strong

 adjective \ˈstrȯŋ\

: having great physical power and ability : having a lot of strength

: not easy to break or damage

: not sick or injured

stron·ger  stron·gest 

Full Definition of STRONG

1

:  having or marked by great physical power

2

:  having moral or intellectual power

3

:  having great resources (as of wealth or talent)

4

:  of a specified number <an army ten thousand strong>

5

a :  striking or superior of its kind <a strong resemblance>

b :  effective or efficient especially in a specified direction<strong on watching other people work — A. Alvarez>

6

:  forceful, cogent <strong evidence> <strong talk>

7

:  not mild or weak :  extreme, intense: as

a :  rich in some active agent <strong beer>

b of a color :  high in chroma

c :  ionizing freely in solution <strong acids and bases>

d :  magnifying by refracting greatly <a strong lens>

8

obsolete :  flagrant

9

:  moving with rapidity or force <a strong wind>

10

:  ardent, zealous <a strong supporter>

11

a :  not easily injured or disturbed :  solid

b :  not easily subdued or taken <a strong fort>

12

:  well established :  firm <strong beliefs>

13

:  not easily upset or nauseated <a strong stomach>

14

:  having an offensive or intense odor or flavor :  rank<strong breath>

15

:  tending to steady or higher prices <a strong market>

16

:  of, relating to, or being a verb that is inflected by a change in the root vowel (as strive, strove, striven) rather than by regular affixation

— strong adverb

— strong·ish  adjective

— strong·ly  adverb

That is a lot for just one word.

It has such a deeper meaning then most of us really consider. This is what I want to be. Strong. Not just physically powerful, but morally and intellectually, rich in some active agent (that agent for me being Christ and God the Father) and magnifying and refracting greatly His eternal light. To be well established, not easily injured or disturbed, moving with force, not easily upset.

Striking and superior of my kind.

And yes, there are a few that aren't so attractive, 14, 15, & 16 I'd rather not be really. But for the most part, strength is such a complex and beautiful thing