I am sitting here all choked up by the stories you submitted in response to my giveaway question:
At what moment did your life change for the better?
What made that happen?
{If you haven’t had a chance to read some of the answers – go HERE because you will be inspired}
Yes my desk is messy. Stop judging.
I wish I had 209 pair of shoes to give away, because your stories were so heartfelt and genuine. I read each one. I love it that so many of you “get” that growth and bettering our lives often comes out of experiencing challenge, heartbreak, risk taking and maybe a certain amount of damn suffering (or AFOG as I like to call it).
It is exactly these types of stories that inspire people to know it is possible to rise above their own circumstances and to make their life as they want it to be. I don’t think happiness simply descends upon us without effort. Most of the time we have to actively seek it by making changes that are not always easy or comfortable.
One of the most important things to note is that nothing in life is stagnant. Things are always changing. While we can’t control everything, we also don’t have to be victims of our circumstances. I think that is why I initially called this blog, Shut Up and Run. Because it is within our abilities to make a decision and to go for it without a lot of drama or excuses.
With that said, I think Stacy’s comment embodies a lot of what my blog is about – challenging oneself, moving out of one’s comfort zone, finding self discipline and consequently moving towards a better, healthier life. I love her “EveryDamnDay” motto:
“I would have to say my life changed for the better on Jan 1, 2012....that is the day that I quit smoking, gave up soda pop, and started walking. I weighed in at 265lbs, I was about to turn 44 that year. I knew I needed to change my life style.
It used to take me about an hour to walk 1mile. Sad but true. On Sept 15, 2012 I began my everydamnday walking at first and eventually getting to the point that I was running/walking. I hit 365 days and kept going, I made it to 500days of every day walking/running. I choose to take a break mostly due to the extreme winter we have had. But I'm happy to say that as of today I'm 100 lbs down, still smoke free, diet soda has came back into my life but only occasionally.
I've started my everydamnday again and I'm currently on day 15. I bike, hike, run, & speed walk. I will be 46 the end of this year and I'm in the best shape of my life.”
Do you think it was easy or convenient for her? Do you think it was effortless to quit nicotine and soda? Do you think it was fun to walk that first mile when it took an hour? Not likely. But she shat up and did it. Just because it’s hard does not mean you should stop.
Wow this post was a bit deep. PENIS! <-------- Just to lighten things up.
What used to be your excuse for not training/running/exercising/dieting? Mine was I was too busy to exercise and that running was too hellish and hard.
SUAR
PS: Stacy – email me at [email protected]
