I've begun many journeys in my life. Some of them I've even finished! There are journeys, like being a mom and wife, that I will walk forever. Others are short paths to bring me from one place to another. Of course, the best journeys are the fun ones. The hardest are usually the most rewarding. Regardless, every journey is an opportunity to learn and grow.
This week, I began my journey to fitness. Again. Something I know is important to my health and well-being should be easy to commit to but that's not always the case. This is a path I've struggled with before in my adult life. A journey I've previously stepped into with my whole heart but have stumbled and fallen. Why would I want to embarrass myself and share my failures? A few reasons:
Sharing a struggle isn't embarrassing. It's not a failure or a sign of weakness. It's a strength that I've recently learned to use. I'm not ashamed of what I haven't yet accomplished. I'm working to find the right path, the way that works for me. I'm determined to do the best I can every day. Even if I have to begin again every day.
I also don't use the word failure anymore. Yes, I've done this before. I've done well, then faltered. I've had some false starts. I've made excuses, found other 'priorities' and had some life events that actually were a priority. Even though I'm basically starting from scratch and I know it's going to be hard the first few weeks, I won't let that deter me. I haven't given up and so I haven't failed.
Social Media. We share the good, or we make up good to share. No one posts "My life sucks right now so I've quit showering and I'm hiding in the closet eating ice cream with a candy spoon - here's a pic!". When we only see the fun, happy parts of other peoples' lives, we get caught up in thinking that we're not doing as well as others, we're failing or lacking in some way. We compare and we shouldn't. This is my un-showered moment.
Every day, every minute, is an opportunity to begin again. My favorite saying is "Life gets in the way". You're going along, doing your thing and wham! Hello life! What was important 5 minutes ago is now shoved to the back burner or maybe just completely burnt. Take care of those needs and when you're ready, that path will open back up.
Good things can come out of everything. I took a surprise detour down Mental Health Highway. A side journey, so to speak, but that was the beginning of my healing journey, which brought me to the Healing Arts I've spent several years learning. From there I've created my business (more journeys!). While I was meandering down that highway, my fitness journey was left at the corner of Nope and Not Happening. And so, I begin again.
It doesn't matter how many times you have to start. It doesn't matter the speed at which you choose to travel. Some paths require more time, effort, thought. It's important to know that you are going at your perfect speed and you'll get there at your perfect time. The time will pass the same way whether you're taking that journey or not, so you might as well take that first step, even if it's for the hundredth time.
Our journeys are ours to embrace. We will walk them for a minute, a few years, a lifetime. Journeys will intertwine and diverge. Your journey will be what you make of it. Stumble, fall, get up and keep going. Own it, share it, love it. It's yours. You're going to learn and grow as long as you're committed to it.
I share this part of my journey with the hope that you are inspired to begin a new adventure of your own or find that old path and start again. I hope you'll share your journey with me. And if you need help finding that path or taking the first step, reach out, I'm here to help and support you, no matter where you're headed.
I promise to share updates of my progress from time to time. Even if I'm hiding in the closet eating ice cream.