Celebrate Small Victories

One thing I am beginning to appreciate so much more is celebrating the small victories.

I think this is so important.  If we wait to celebrate when we only hit major milestones, it is much easier to get discouraged and just want to quit.  I believe that if we take the time to celebrate the small victories that it will help stay focused on the bigger goal.  My overall goal is a happier, healthier me.

It is time to stop and celebrate some small successes.

Success #1: Making healthier food decisions

I have clearly made many unhealthy food decisions over the course of my life to get me to where I am today. I am trying very hard to turn that around.  I still stumble, a lot, but when faced with a healthy food versus unhealthy food decision, and I actually choose the healthy food, that is something to celebrate!  I consciously remember doing this on my recent trip to Washington, D.C.  I traveled by myself, and when I got to D.C., my hotel wasn't ready.  I had to kill some time before it would be ready, and I was on my own.  I didn't want to venture out too far because I was by myself.  Lucky for me, the hotel had its own underground mall.  I headed down that way and found a table where I could read a book while waiting.  While reading the book, I became hungry.  It had been awhile since I had anything to eat so I looked for something to snack on.  In a mall, you have many options.  I was tempted many times by Auntie Anne's pretzels, candy shops, ice cream, etc.  Instead, I settled on a healthier version of a snack - pretzels and hummus.  I went back to reading my book and snacking on my snack when it hit me - I just had a small victory in my battle.

Success #2: The 75 miles in July challenge

I came across a challenge to complete 75 miles in July.  I knew I needed something to get me motivated to stay active.  This was the perfect thing!  I also knew I needed accountability so I challenged people to join me.  I was completely overwhelmed by the response.  Fifteen people contacted me wanting to be part of the challenge.  15!  Some of those people reached out to their friends and family members and recruited them to be part of the challenge.  That is so exciting!  Whether or not the people are completing the miles (trust me, some of them are blowing this challenge out of the water!), each of them have inspired me daily through the month of July to work on my miles.  I am so thankful for them!

Success #3: Halfway through July, more than halfway to my goal

So, yes, the challenge has been exactly what I needed to get moving.  Today is July 15th.  Basically we are halfway through July, and after today's miles, I have accumulated 45 miles!  Woot woot!  Thirty more to go!

Success #4: Making goals

I have been struggling with running and staying active since the Mini-Marathon.  I finally figured out why.  I didn't have anything I was working towards.  After the Mini, I haven't registered for any races or set any other goals.  I was floundering.  I learned through this experience that I have to have something to work towards or I am less likely to keep going.  I will be setting more goals for myself, and sharing those goals with you so that I can be held accountable.  The goals will change, for example, I have already been thinking about what activity goal I want to set for August.  With the start of school, I know that the 75 mile challenge will probably be too challenging so I am already trying to decide what is the best goal for me that will still challenge me.  

Success #5: Giving up soda and coffee

I have not had a soda of any kind OR coffee since starting my summer vacation.  Do you know how huge this is?  I literally would have 2 - 3 cups of coffee every morning and at least one soda a day (if not more). Instead I have been drinking more water.  A lot more water.  I was probably a HUGE grouchy person the first week or so of doing this so I tried to avoid being out in public, but it has gotten easier.  There are still times when I want a big old Coke (especially a Sonic coke....yum!), but I have refrained.  I just pray that I can keep this up once I head back to school.  

 

I encourage you to stop right now and think about your own successes, no matter how small they may seem to you.  Celebrate those...these little successes will accumulate into bigger ones in no time!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was my 35th birthday. I normally dread my birthday. It just brings up too many memories and too many things I wish could be different. Somehow I end the day feeling sad and disappointed. Not this year, though. This year I gave myself the best present ever - accidentally.

I am in the middle of my 75 miles challenge during the month of July. Yesterday morning I was working on my miles. I was listening to music when all of a sudden my music stopped playing. I could not get it started again. I even tried different apps and everything. The music would not play. I finished my miles in silence. During those moments of silence, my thoughts started turning towards prayers, reflections, and meditations.

It was during that silence that a revelation shook me to the core. One thing I struggle with is the desire to be loved. Who doesn't want to be loved, right? The thing is, I already am. I have the best love possible - the love of Jesus Christ.

I also know that I have family and friends that love me. I see it on a daily basis in multiple ways. I would do anything for my loved ones...ANYTHING!

I realized during this time that there is one person that has not loved me.  One person who I have been dying a little more every day because I wanted this person to love me.  This person not loving me has left me broken and sad and feeling worthless.  One person that I was so desperate for their love.  This person?  Me.

I decided that for my birthday I am going to give myself the gift of loving me.  I can't be my best person; I can't accomplish the things I want to accomplish or even the things that the Lord wants me to accomplish if I don't love myself.  Now, this is not going to be all about me where I put myself above all others.  It is not a selfish motive.  Instead my desire is to no longer berate myself or be my worst enemy.  My desire is to embrace who I am, who The Lord has created me to be.

Crazy that it has only taken me 35 years to give myself this gift, right?  I wonder what I should give myself next year...

Shameless Plug

I love blogging.  It is such a release for me, and I love sharing my journey, feelings, and story with people that may be able to relate.  Not only do I love blogging, but I enjoy reading blogs, and I subscribe to quite a few.  I try to share blogs as I come across them in case you want to read them as well.  Today's post is about a blog that I am going to shamelessly plug because I have the honor of knowing the author personally.

The author of this blog has been a friend of mine since 1999.  We became close years later, and now I have the privilege of calling her my best friend.  She has seen me in my darkest days, puts up with my craziness (because let's face it, I am a little bit), and encourages me in so many ways while also loving me enough to be honest with me and dishing out some hard truths when I have needed them.

This friend has started a blog, and let me tell you, it is powerful.  She has a way of putting things into honest words that are beautiful.  Her posts have moved me emotionally, inspired me, encouraged me, and have made me so proud of her because honestly, it has not always been easy for this friend to share her thoughts and emotions to more than just a small circle of trusted people.

I encourage you to check out this blog filled with real, honest emotions.  Support this blog and the author in the same way you have supported me.  I promise you will enjoy...plus you can check out some cute pictures of my favorite four year old.

Maurer Musings