You are a Badass

Mid workout and 25 weeks pregnant the girl on the treadmill next to me leans over and says, “You are a badass.  Most women would be laying on the couch watching tv and eating potato chips.” I looked at her and smiled and said, “You are too.  We all suffer and we all have excuses, but despite them, we showed up and that’s what matters.” I stopped running when I became pregnant and I stopped seeing how many splat points I could get at Orangtheory, but I never let myself quit.  Why?  Because I know regular exercise has a dramatic influence on our mental and physical well being.  I know that it’s hardest to workout when you don’t feel like it, but that’s usually when you need to most.  Our modern culture tells us to judge an activity by how you feel when it begins, but this is not an accurate estimate of the benefits and long lasting effects of that activity.  Your experience of life is only limited by the energy you have. Who doesn’t want more energy to experience a more abundant life?  We fail to realize that half the battle is within our mind, and we have to take action with hope that the cause is greater than the sacrifice and the character that our efforts bring is more satisfying than staying where we are.  In Romans 5:3 it says, “We even boast of our afflictions knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, BECAUSE the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy spirit that has been given to us.” A coworker of mine mocks me for being an “eternal optimist” and tries to talk me out of things thinking my expectations will only lead to defeat and disappointment.  However, I would rather be hopeful and take a leap of faith than be stagnant and wonder “what if…”.  Besides, like this verse says, hope does not disappoint.  If we feel disappointed we must look at a situation with God and see how he developed our character through that rather than solely looking at the outcome.  Our prize is Christ and a daily discovery of his Love in us and through others.  Don’t let fear cause you to procrastinate, and don’t let perfectionism and pride stop you from showing up.  Act without hesitation and let God build your character into something beautiful, whether you win the race or not.  Og Mandino said, “My dreams are worthless, my plans are dust, my goals are impossible.  All are of no value unless they are followed by action.  I will act now.”