Fortune favors the bold

I was watching the Australian Open a couple of weeks ago. Y'all know how I am about my tennis! While calling an intense match one commentator used the phrase "Fortune favors the bold." I thought, hmm...

It's so true. On and off the court. Those willing to take risks. Those who are unafraid of stepping outside of their comfort zone's. Those who are bold generally are rewarded. I for one have always been pretty bold in my approach in most everything. I'm not afraid to be told no. There's one thing for certain the answer will always be no if I don't ask. Coincidentally, I received a letter of recommendation yesterday that reads:

"...In the 14 years I have been the branch librarian for Cascade Park Community Library, I have encountered a number of people with ideas for programs or displays for the library. About 18 months ago, I was told that a woman named Chrisetta Mosley wanted to tell her story about her struggle to lose weight. I remember thinking that I couldn't visualize a library program based on her story. However I went out to meet her and discovered a charming charismatic woman who not only wanted to tell her story but also share her ideas for how other people could discover a healthier lifestyle...Since then she has done several programs for the Cascade Park Community Library...In all these presentations, Chrisetta works hard to promote, and to come up with new ideas...She is definitely developing a following in the community. I am certainly pleased that Chrisetta took the bold move to present her ideas to me." ~Teresa Torres -- Cascade Park Community Librarian

So I urge YOU to take a few risks, step outside of YOUR comfort zone. Remember, "Fortune favors the bold."

Better

I want to be better. Please don't misinterpret that to mean that I'm NOT proud of myself for what I've accomplished and I'm NOT grateful for all that I have and all that I am.

I realize in order to be better, I have to give more of myself. I can't stay in this safe place. I have to push myself out of my comfort zone. I repeat -- I have to push myself out of my comfort zone. For me, motivation comes from within. And if I'm honest with myself I can give more. I can do better.

Yesterday, I posted some photos (see above) on Facebook that showed me jogging the hills of Mt.Tabor Park. The photos are of me at my best. Physically, I was in a really good place. I was training to run my first half-marathon. One week later, I was KNOCKED off my axis and hit by a car while walking in a parking lot. I suffered a broken tibia, had surgery to repair it and was left  with 14 screws and a metal plate in my leg. I went through months of rehab and physical therapy. It was a very trying time for me. But, I made it through. I successfully rehabbed my fractured leg and did NOT gain one pound. Instead, I LOST 15 pounds the physical therapists and orthopedic doctors said that, that was unheard of. While I was able to successfully rehab my leg and lose weight while doing so. I feel like that accident did thwart my overall progress. It's been nearly two years now. I don't feel like I've been able to make the physical breakthroughs that I had hoped for. Partly some mental stuff going on (another blog post).


Anyhow, after I posted my photos a few of you made comments -- I appreciate you all. My story is an open diary for you all to read. And, I realize sometimes I'm quite contradictory in my comments and my posts. One minute, I'm telling you to ... and the next minute I'm ....  

I want to be better. And, sometimes I get frustrated with myself. Right now, I'm frustrated with myself. I try not to speak negative thoughts because you know my theory on that, but sometimes I slip up. 

I'm proud of and grateful for what I've accomplished it's because of that --  not in spite of that, that I know I can be better. Am I too hard on myself? Perhaps. Too honest? Nope.

"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."

Forward movement and change

Change is good.  Change is frightening. Change is liberating. Change is necessary.   So often we become stagnant in our everyday lives and are afraid to make changes. Even when the changes are for the better. It could be the smallest change: a new hair cut, maybe spruce up our living room with a new bold color paint, or buy a new daring pair of shoes. Then there's the major changes: dump the partner that is zapping our energy, quit the dead end job, or lose those unwanted 30 lbs. Whatever it is that is keeping us in a negative place we often opt to stay there because we're fearful of making the changes and putting in the necessary work. It's a crazy oxymoron.

Everything is going well in life all is fine and dandy. We find ourselves in a comfort zone. We like our job, our partner, etc., but there are always areas that we can improve to make us better.  I'm always looking for ways to improve, grow. I strive everyday to be better. I refuse to become complacent and sit still. Life is about forward movement. My weight loss and self transformation journey to date is the BIGGEST change I've ever made. I say this all the time, this is a transformation from the inside out. Besides, making changes in my diet and becoming physically active. There were plenty of things I did NOT like about my character:

• I'd tell someone I was going to do something and then I wouldn't. And, to boot I'd have a flip attitude about it if they asked me about it. 
• I gave up really easy. If anything caused a challenge. Forget it. Game over. I quit.
• I didn't value myself and had a horrible desire for validation from others
• Negative outlook
• Selfish, selfish, selfish

I've had to take a long hard look at myself and make all sorts of changes. It's been a long painful yet very rewarding journey. Sometimes, I wonder when will I stop changing.  I think, I can honestly say-- never.

For those in a comfort zone. For those in a negative place. I challenge you to find it within yourself to make the necessary changes to do whatever is you want to do, reach whatever goal you want to reach, and become the BEST person you can be. One thing is for sure, you can't keep doing the same things and get different results. If you've been contemplating making changes in your lives - the time is now. Here's to forward movement and change.