Sometimes I have a hard time finding happiness through out my day, and sometimes I’m drunk on happy! lol But happy is always right there if I chose to find it. It’s all about choices!
I went to the gym last night with a good friend and we were having such a great time working out. We both had our iPods blaring in our ears when the music overtook us. We looked at each other and broke out into spontaneous dance in the middle of the gym. It’s completely refreshing when you just forget that anyone’s watching and enjoy the happy!
Enjoy the happy people! Isn’t that what life is about…to be savored and enjoyed?!
Find that special something that just brings happiness to your heart and go with it!
Exercise does that for me! There is a rush of happy that just takes over at some point of the workout. I try to contain it, but sometimes I dance on my treadmill and have almost fell off the bloody thing a time or two. I’m that weirdo that smiles or snaps my fingers when I run. It didn’t always feel that way, but with every little ounce of sweat, dedication, and hard work it gets easier. It’s amazing how quickly your body adapts when you challenge it BUT you have to challenge it. When your body is screaming for you to stop, keep going just to prove to yourself that you can.
Here’s a little Ode to Joy for you!
May happiness find it’s way into your heart today! I’d love to hear about it…what brings happiness to your heart? 🙂
Recently, I’ve managed to tap into an area where I want to push myself harder than I ever have before. I was wondering where the change has come from, and then I realized it was because I am inspired by many people around me. I am reminded once again how important it is to surround yourself with people who motivate and inspire you! Inspire you to move forward, to push yourself beyond your limits, and just make you want to be a better person.
I’m inspired by a woman who I met at a gym. She is taking control of her life, and has spent the last couple years battling breast cancer (now in remission!) She works out so hard, and does so with a smile on her face, and a heart that radiates such strength.
I’m inspired by women who have suffered such loss in life, but who still manage to move forward in life with the spirit of resilience and unyielding determination. They fight for their children and keep the spirit of their loved one alive daily.
I’m inspired by my workout friends who push themselves a little farther each day and make working out fun. They share a zest for life that is infectious and it just makes my heart happy to be in their company.
I’m inspired by all the people who have the courage to share their struggles, insecurities, and challenges with others. There are so many times in my life I have lost my way, but it is comforting to know that there are others that struggle too! We are not alone in our life struggles.
I’m inspired by women that help other women.
I also believe that you draw into your life exactly what you put out there. If you are searching for inspiration, start with you…be inspiring! Always give more than you take. With every life experience remember there is much to learn even if it’s painful or difficult. What you are learning from each painful life experience will help someone else who crosses your path later in life. There is no better joy in your heart than when you can give back something that was once taken from you.
I’ll leave you with a quote!
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ” Nelson Mandela
I hope you find something that inspires you everyday, but what would be even better is to inspire others every beautiful day. Now that is something to be inspired about!
Again, life has presented many great lessons to me these past couple of weeks.
I am thankful that I have been able to see some of my own faults and insecurities and want to move forward. Sometimes the characteristics we don’t care for in others are the very things we need to change within ourselves. We do not have the power to change anyone around us…only ourselves. So the responsibility again is squarely on our own shoulders.
Pride has two sides. Reclaiming my life has meant that I finally feel pride in myself, and I feel even greater pride when I see friends around me meet their goals and move forward as well. It’s one of the greatest blessings that has come from this journey. Pride can also hold us back however. There are many goals that I haven’t met because of my pride. Because fear can attach itself to pride….fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of making choices that are out of my comfort zone.
You can’t move forward in life without taking risks and confronting your fears and insecurities. That means moving out of your comfort zone, which can be scary but so worth it. It really is simple, change can’t come about unless you make different choices, and react differently to circumstances. This is also true when working out. Your body adapts so quickly, and to continue to see growth and changes, you have to mix it up and introduce new exercises.
I have also recognized the areas in life that bring me both joy and empowerment, but also the areas that are holding me back. So I say cling like hell to the positive, and let go of the negative.
Running does not come easily to me. The other day I was running on the treadmill and had set a goal that I would run 30 minutes straight, especially because I didn’t want to…at all. I was very conscious of the many times my legs were screaming to stop and it was very uncomfortable. BUT I also realized after 30 minutes, that I had run the entire time with a huge smile on my face. I must have freaked out the people beside me, but I couldn’t help it! My cheeks were actually sore from smiling. It was so empowering to set out a goal, and give myself absolutely no permission to stop.
So here’s some thoughts for your Wednesday!
While there may be circumstances in your life that put road blocks in the way of your dreams, its a choice on your part how to react to those circumstances. Don’t blame your circumstances, you are more powerful than you know!
Give no power to the negative, always seek out the positive and that starts with YOU…your mind and heart.
Put your pride aside if it’s holding you back from moving forward and feel the good pride when you move forward. It takes great strength, courage, and character to look within and take action to go after your goals and dreams. Being vulnerable isn’t a weakness, it shows great courage and a willingness to grow.
Dream big and go after it! Continue to challenge yourself. Give your mind zero permission to quit when it gets too hard. The best rewards in life come from dedication and hard work. It’s not supposed to be easy!
Challenge both the mind and body, and great results will happen! Let your spirit shine, and soak it up. Loving the life you are living is so good! 🙂
Here’s a quote for you that I love!
There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout: “This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me… or leave me. Accept me – or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don’t fit your idea of who I should be and don’t try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision.
When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good and bad – you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you.” Stacey Charter
Reclaiming LIFE 