This week was hard. Emotionally. Physically. I have been physically exhausted for almost two weeks… nothing has changed in my routine but I find days where I can barely keep my eyes open and my body is just plum drained (like that Southernism?) My chest has been tight and it’s almost like I can’t get a good breath. I don’t know what’s going on – we’ll blame it on a couple late nights and too much sun. That’s what summer is about, right? Right.
Thankfully, this weekend has been a much needed mix of productivity and relaxation. When my mind slows down too much I start thinking too much and that just leads to trouble. So, here I sit watching one of my all time favorite TV shows – the classic Charlie’s Angels (can we just have a moment of silence for how beautiful they all were? Hair envy, clothes envy… I was born in the wrong decade) – and finding renewal and hope in small victories.
It’s easy to get consumed with all of the things that could be better, are wrong, make us sad, make life difficult, etc. As humans we tend to be experts on zeroing in on the one or two things that aren’t going our way and forget about the dozens of things that are good. But, there is so much that IS good.
This week I did something I’ve never done before – I went to the gym alone. Let me clarify – I go to the gym plenty alone but it’s only to run on the treadmill or go to a class. I have never, ever gone alone to do any type of lifting or other activity. It used to terrify me to even think about it. Not many people know this about me but I really don’t like doing stuff by myself. It sounds stupid, I know. Especially living alone and being single. But, it’s not my first choice. I’d much rather have someone with me to go places or do things – even the mundane stuff like go to the grocery store. Obviously, I’ve learned to function and I do plenty of things alone. But, there are still areas where I cringe to think of flying solo and the gym has long been one of them.
So, Saturday morning I was the first one at the gym and I plugged away at my circuits and I even asked for help. Instead of not doing something or being scared to ask, I asked for help and I actually got some really helpful information. And, I killed my workout like a boss – gym creepers and all!
Sunday morning came and I did something I haven’t done in a very long time. I went to church alone. I couldn’t tell you the last time that happened. Was it scary? Yes. Did I survive and was it worth it? Yes. It was another little victory.
You may be reading this and have no problem going to the gym alone or going to church alone. But, maybe you struggle in other areas. Maybe you have a hard time speaking up, or saying no, or maybe you let other people make you feel guilty…
I’ve been reading a book the past week – Stronger Than You Think: Becoming Whole Without Having to be Perfect – and there is so much I want to share with you about it but one of the resonating themes is being our whole, authentic selves. And, when we let pesky things like fear creep into our lives and restrict us we are not being our whole God made beings. It’s not just a disservice to ourselves but those around us. We are not being entirely authentic. I hope my readers feel I am authentic with them. I feel so much encouragement from your words – you help me be a better person.
As we go through the motions of our week it is easy to become stuck in a rut and focus on the things that make our lives even more mundane or difficult. But, what if we chose something each week to conquer – even if it something small? We come closer to being whole. We focus on becoming better, striving harder to become closer to who we are authentically. We come closer to achieving our goals and following our passions.
If you find yourself having a hard day don’t let it get you down. Try to focus on the good you have in your life – the blessings you have, the love you have, the friends you have. Focus on looking outward – to helping others around you. Giving them encouragement or helping pick them up when they are down. And, don’t let small victories in your life go unnoticed. Celebrate them. Be proud of them – for they are what make you strong.
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