It's all about Y-O-U.

i've decided that at this point in my life, it's ok to be selfish -- it has to be all about YOU, cause frankly, in the end - you graduate college, you move to a city basically all alone, you take on a new job, you get your own first apartment - and who do you have? who is there that you can always count on? YOU.

at one time, i let someone walk all over me - why? i still can't answer that. i longed for the old me, the DC me, and i clung on to things that made me comfortable, and unable, unwilling to move on. But then i realized that whoever it is that you come to be in college, or at different stages in your life -- you're not ALWAYS going to be in that same situation. you have to take the "YOU" that you've learned to be, and learned so much about, and be able to displace it -- put it in New York City, put it in the professional world, put it alone in a cold hard city... and it still has to survive... YOU still have to survive.

I'M DOING THIS TRIATHLON FOR ME... sure i want my family and friendds to be proud, i want my body to be strong... and i want to help those who are sick with cancer, and may not be able to explore the "YOU" that they may be in different situations.

some lyrics i heard recently that rang pretty true...

Here in the Dark, I stand before you, knowing this is my chance to show you my heart
This is the start, this is the start.
I have so much to say and I'm hoping that your arms are open...
Don't turn away, i want you near me, but you have to hear me!
Here's where I stand, Here's who I am
Love me, but don't tell me who I have to be.
Here's who I am, I'm what you see.
You said I had to change and I was trying, but my heart wasn't lying
I'm not a child any longer, I am stronger.
Here's where I stand, Here's who I am
Help me to move on but please don't tell me how
I'm on my way, I'm moving now
In this life I've come so far... but we only are who we are.