This past weekend my husband and I were generously invited by some of our great friends to stay in their beautiful cabin. We had the place to ourselves all weekend, and it was incredible to spend all day reading, relaxing, playing games, and doing really whatever we wanted!
Since my husband and I strive to live a healthy, active lifestyle, we don’t take any shortcuts when we travel. Getting out and exercising is a great way to see a new area and get fresh air.
This past weekend the weather was magnificent! Winter time in Kentucky can be brutal. Not just because of the cold but mainly because of the dreary gray sky that lingers for what seems like an eternity.
So to say the least, when the sun pokes it’s beautiful face out for a visit, we go out and soak up every last bit of rays that we can!
On Friday we went out for a jog around the lake. Now to be clear, as much as I love an active lifestyle and working out, I have never really been a big runner. I typically run once a week, 2 miles if I’m feeling really good. And those 2 miles also entail a decent amount of stopping to walk.
While running with my husband around the lake, I found myself thinking it was time for a break; I was too tired to continue the run with him. As he saw me start to slow down, he said let’s just keep going to the end of that corner. As we got closer to the corner, he said let’s just make it to that hill over there, come on don’t stop; it doesn’t matter how slow you are going, just don’t quit.
As we slowly got near the hill, I was certain that I couldn’t make it any further. When we got to the hill, the parking lot where our car was parked was within sight. He encouraged me, come on, you can make it to the car, you’re so close! I took a deep breath and thought I could do this; the car is right over there, I can make it! And you know what? I did make it! And felt proud of myself; I felt accomplished. A wave of confidence rushed over me. I thought to myself; I really can do whatever I set my mind to, I just need to push myself a little harder when I start to get tired.
Later that evening is when I had an aha moment. While I was running that day my husband said, whatever you do, don’t stop, keep going, even if you are moving slow, that’s ok.
Sometimes with my life, I feel the need to stop when I’m starting to feel fatigued. When things start to get a little uncomfortable, I’m quick to back off and take a rest. Do any of you ever feel like that? Like you know you could probably keep going, but it’s easier and feels better if you stop?
This is a constant struggle I have, the struggle to do what feels more comfortable at the time.
When I had the thought of starting this blog, it felt easier to not to it. It felt better to keep going about my life as normal because I knew I would have to push myself. I knew that I might feel fatigued, and I was fearful that I would stop to walk, maybe even give up!
But I started.. and I’m not going to quit.
My aha moment this weekend came in the metaphor of my run. It just clicked for me, like a burst of sudden inspiration.
- Just start the run
- keep small goals of reaching the next thing in sight
- Push yourself every day a little further than the day before
- If you start to feel fatigued, slow down but don’t stop
If we follow those steps for whatever it is we want to accomplish in our lives, then I’m certain we will get there!
I believe we fill ourselves with so much doubt and more often than not we stop to take a break far before we need to. It just takes that little extra push, focusing on reaching the next point that’s within our grasp, and never stopping, never giving up, even if we are moving slowly.
This aha moment has motivated me to not only push myself more with my runs; it has opened my eyes to how I approach a lot of things in life. I don’t want to sell myself short on the goals I can accomplish. I don’t want to quit when I have so much more to give.
Can any of you relate to this, giving up at the first sign of discomfort? What are some ways you motivate yourself to push forward?
Take one small step today,
Xo-Jenna
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