My Competition

Today, the first thing I told myself when I started running my 5K was “this is the best timing ever”. It’s amazing how during the entire run though,  I rarely glanced at my watch, but whenever I looked at my watch I would look at the distance and not the time that has passed. It hit me that what’s most important in journeys is how we grow and how we encourage ourselves along the way and NOT so much how long we’ve been in a season or how much further we have to go before it ends. 

Quite honestly, as I continued to run one of the encouraging things I reminded myself was that I am competing against myself. I began to see the Olympics and all of the individual lanes on the track. I saw Shaunaof 2015 in one lane and Shauna of 2017 in the other lane and Shauna of 2010 in the other lane. Lane 5 hosted Shauna of 2005 and Lane 6 had Shauna of yesterday. Are you picking up what I’m putting down? The only competition we have is who we were yesterday. If that doesn’t add stretch goals and fire, I’m not sure what will! YOU VS YOU.

Self-Issued Grace

 

I have adopted the disclaimer to my drive, that “the person I was yesterday is my only competition”. High expectations and internal motivation has typically been my recipe for goal achievement.

My greatest challenge recently included giving myself permission to not achieve goals and tell myself no! I wanted my inhalation to be rooted from a strongly founded exhalation.  I realized that I am not just pushing myself to the limit, but often past the limit. Grace was extended to relax my standards and just be. In this time, I was expected to restore and let my health be a lifestyle, not just a box to check off or another ring to close.

Is there a task or behavior that you can allow yourself to be “excused from the table”? It certainly will not change your character. Just know the reward will produce an enhanced YOU, filling yourself with kindness. Affirm that you ARE giving (it) your best! This best includes compassion and peace.

So, will you join me to give ourself permission to exhale and grace to enjoy it?

 

The Fine Line of the Defined.

"If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive." Audre Lorde

Ms Lorde,

In 1982, I was 5 years old. If I had grasped this concept then... wow! Thank you #AudreLorde

The expectations of others can be so taxing. The expectations we place on ourselves can be unrealistic. Comparison has no place in the peaceful rivers of the mind.

My  prayer request for you and the meditation
1.Continue to be vibrant, hope-filled and bold.
2. Doubt negative Self Talk (you will get that later).
3. Stand on my uniqueness (for I am fearfully and wonderfully made)
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How can you apply this quote to your life?

Accepting my weakness as willingness

Today I was sitting there pondering...
I have the assignment of creating a Life Season Timeline while I gaze at this floor plan that I was inspired to jot down.

Needless to say, my anxiety was inching upwards as my confidence in God's ability to execute rises.

Let's agree on this... I do not know the details, but I know the ending.  I know I am inadequate, but I also know I'm willing....

Not to be churchy...but today I was chewing on Jer 29:11...For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

It really helped to clear and lift my head. My shoulders got a lil lighter! Today I will trust Him!!

Simple Convo Always Pulls The Heartstrings

Talking with my oldest today, she mentioned the concept of "making ends meet". I stopped her. Baby, we are blessed that you have been able to live with "ends overlapping"...

I say that to say engage in conversation with your kids at ALL levels/ages to see where their minds are. The variation of the perception of how your brow sweats and how good you make it look may be great!

#Blessed were the days of living check to check but peaceful are the days of "oh, we get paid today?"

I am but He is!

Sometimes #RockBottom is all about prospective. Position yourself!

#LifeLine

Fly again!

Lyrics by Mr Mister:

"Take these broken wings
And learn to fly again, learn to live so free
When we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up and let us in
Take these broken wings"

This morning, I just hear this chorus encouraging all of us. For those of you who are getting up with broken wings may you remember how to fly... not remember that they were once broken or rather any guilt, embarrassment or grief for that past season! If you do remember that your wings were broken, may we all remember the lesson taught and learned, but even greater remember the reward of flying. Fear has no hold on us! Anxiety flees with prayer! God's good hand of favor is upon us. His grace is sufficient for us. You too can fly again. The Book of love, the Bible, is what we need to fly again. God's Word is with you and goes before you! You will mount up on wings like EAGLES!! Pick up your broken wings and pride for He is the lifter of your head!