I actually ran across this comment I had saved probably almost a year ago now by Shaun T (celebrity fitness trainer), which came as about my fourth reminder in this lesson.
Shaun's message:
STUFF JUST GOT REAL: Love me or hate me im bout to go IN!!! I was just reading through some of your comments and I came across something very discouraging and I need to address something. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that will try to discourage you from achieving your goals. The biggest issue I have with this is that most often the people that are making you feel "LESS THAN" are the PEOPLE that closest ones to you. Don't let anyone stop you from trying to achieve a personal goal! Whether you reach a goal or not its about the process. And your process, if you embrace it, will teach you so many lessons about YOU! and THAT is priceless! That takes me to another subject that I see far to often in the comment threads and conversation. "Doing it for other people!" I DO NOT CARE what your body looks like unless you FEEL GOOD IN IT! YOU have to feel good for you. The heck with people! People don't breathe for you. People don't sweat for you and they damn sure don't exercise FOR YOU! DO YOU-LIVE IN YOU-AND... JUST BE YOU!!!!!!!!! -Shaun T
SO POWERFUL!
Then there's this guy, Chris Downing, my current trainer, who instructed me to jump, followed by him demonstrating A JUMP (see below)! Wholly smajolies! I'm never sure if I should just retreat, clap, curse or what. Haha!! It's very humbling for me as someone who takes pride in my natural athleticism. But I'll never be the best, I just have to strive to be MY BEST. So I set myself, focus, and JUMP! Maybe someday I'll even get a short video or photo to display next to this one of Chris. :D I'm coming for you, Dude, and I know you'll be cheering me on the entire time!
My friend, Desi, has been an excellent example of this lesson for me as well. Just the other day she posted in our Summer Accountability group a snap shot of a run she had completed. She exceeded her expectations, and I guarantee you if she decides her running time is something she wants to improve on, it will happen. I am so inspired by her dedication to self-improvement! ENJOY your 5K next week Desi!!!
It's not always as easy as "set, focus, jump" for me though. I've allowed the "I just don't fit in" feelings to push me backwards instead of challenging me to go forward more often than I'd care to admit.
I was once in a Life Group with gals who were comfortable praying, in the practice of daily quiet time, knew the Bible, memorized verses, had attended Bible College, and made church and serving a priority. Obviously all things I strive for, and excellent attributes to have, but I allowed the Devil to make me feel uncomfortable, feel less-than, and I slowly removed myself from the situation, instead of communicating and asking for guidance, which I 100% know EVERY one of them would have extended, had they known.
Thankfully, I'm getting more comfortable with being uncomfortable in order to get where I want to be in life.
Feel free to share your related stories in the comments!
