A Little {Tough} Brand Love for your Monday

I got up at 5:00 am this morning. Well actually it was more like 5:21 am; but, the moral of the story is I had 45 minutes to workout before my husband left for work and I was on the clock with the babe and the biz. 

Last week, my husband and I made a pact that 3 mornings per week I would be getting up at this wee hour to get in to the gym to crank out some sweat. You see, I had a baby 11 months ago. And while I thought that I was simply being lazy and making excuses for not wanting to really get back in the swing of working out hard like I used to...I realized it wasn't that at all...it was because I was afraid. Legitimately afraid of not being as fit as I used to be, of injuring myself right out of the gate, of having to face the reality of what the last year and a half has looked like for me...

I had a tough pregnancy, followed by a life-altering experience in the operating room during an emergency c-section when I stopped breathing. After that, I had massive infections, my stomach stopped working and loads of other complications in the process of healing and trying to step in to the role of becoming a new mama. 

My body withstood all of it, incredibly well...which astounds me to realize how strong this body actually is. Yet, my brain is still locked in a place of fear. Fear of "overdoing" it and being sore, fear of realizing how much strength from my days as a fitness competitor has been lost, fear of just having to deal with what's here now and be grateful for that in the process.

So I made a commitment to myself and looked fear in the face and decided I am going to push through it and do it anyway.

And I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I've still got it....burpees, deadlifts, bench press, handstand push-ups...I can still do it. All of it! I may have to build back up to the level I was once at; but, the sheer ACT of doing the exercises was incredibly powerful.

I didn't allow myself to quit.

The reason I am sharing this story with you today is to push you to do the thing you're afraid to do, the thing you're putting off because you're not going to do it perfectly the first time. The greatest athletes, artists and musicians weren't great when they began. You must begin. You must have the courage to start and to fail; but, to get back up and go after it again and again. 

You will be amazed at what dogged determination can do.

It is not the absence of fear that pushes you to pursue your goals. It is the knowledge that your will and desire are more powerful than your fear will ever be.

I wish you peace in the pursuit of whatever it is you desire most. I wish you love in your heart and faith that the thing you believe in most is worth the effort. 

Make it a wonderful week and I'd love it if you would share what it is that you are going for. Sharing our dreams, aspirations and goals serve as a measure of accountability and motivation, so please do so in the comments below.