You would think after such an odd start to the year I might be thinking of making a change. It's funny, but that couldn't be farther from the truth.
I'll start by explaining my Sunday run ritual. For as long as I can remember I've had a love-hate relationship with long runs. It took me a good 5 years of practice before I found joy at the other end of those long runs. That joy became something I craved. I craved the solitude and peace, the monotony and adventure, finding my edge and pushing beyond what I thought possible. Lately my Sunday run ritual has taken on a whole new life. Instead of the usual cast of inspirational songs, I fire up my Joel Osteen podcast. Yes, my Sunday run starts off with a spiritual awakening of sorts. No matter how I feel heading in, by the time my workout starts I'm uplifted and inspired (usually). I love it.
One recent Sunday the message was "I'm Still Standing". You know how you can hear the same message a million times before it finally resonates. Am I alone on this?
Over the past few weeks, I've spent a lot of time trying to make sense of my season and this year so far. It takes an awful lot to leave me discouraged and questioning everything. A LOT. The past few months hit me hard. I found myself discouraged, questioning my worthiness and the message in my heart. I began to doubt my dreams, not whether they are possible, but doubt my clarity in designing them. I know, tough stuff. What I came to realize is the message in my heart IS real and my dreams ARE valid. I WILL bounce back.
That message gave me peace. You see, everyone experiences rain. No one is exempt from storms, from hard times and certainly not from feeling pain! A true warrior doesn't complain about opposition, a warrior likes a good fight. Exactly.
Setbacks don't determine my destiny. My mistakes and faults do not make me less worthy of my dreams. My choice is to continue forging forward, on the path laid out before me. Bounce back when I have set backs and believe that what is in my heart is real, profound and has purpose.
