Old Mirrors

How many of you love mirrors in a dressing room? How many of you have looked at your reflection and loathed what you saw... a wrinkle, a blemish, a stretch mark, etc.... The list can go on. How many wish they could look in the mirror and be thankful for their reflection? How many are afraid of that freedom?

It's the start if the new year...time for resolutions.  You know, the wishes we make for things that we think will fix everything and make us happy.  To lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, pray more, yell less...

(ok...so now that you know mine, LOL )

These are all great ideals...and all possible. But first we must look past the dressing room mirror...turn off the negative tape...and seek the truth about who we are so that our resolutions lead us to a greater freedom...not a greater feeling of defeat if we are not perfect. 

This past Christmas I was incredibly blessed to receive a very generous gift from the founding coach of Team Courage...the big team of coaches that I am blessed and honored to be a part of. The crazy and funny part about it is that I have discovered the greatest part of the blessing was not the $ given (although that was tremendous and helpful), but rather the affirmation that came from someone I look to as an example to me if a loving wife, mother, and coach who is passionately set in changing lives...and on that day she helped change mine. 

The amazing thing is that she is one if many beautiful women and men who I have watched teach others how to find freedom, face challenges, and overcome obstacles. Not through a magic formula, not a miracle pill or plan, but through affirming gifts and encouraging others to pushing past their comfort zone.

My coach stepped out of her comfort zone a little over a year ago and it changed my life. It challenged me to look past the mirror, to listen for the truth found in the affirmation of others, and to reject the lies we have been told about ourselves, or the ones we tell ourselves daily...

What she has shown inspired me to step out...to begin my journey... To conquer my addictions to food and my hatred of my body... I truly have embraced great freedom this past year in regards to eating and feeling good in my own skin.

But something is up... There is still some junk there to clean out...

So today I am going to step out of my comfort zone big time...not looking for a pity party...I'm not looking back with regrets...but I am looking back...searching within to find the source of the lies that still creep in. 

Because the truth is affirmation and support are incredible gifts...but our truth and worth lie even deeper than that...and in order to truly embrace that truth we have to clean house :). Purge the lies, heal the wounds, and make room for the light. And we CANT do this alone. 

I can tell myself 100 times a day..."you are a good wife and mom", my husband can do the same...but if I'm not connected to the source that provides the grace to do that...then I might say it but I won't believe it! Why? For the same

 reason we struggle with anything...

We can't put our trust in earthly things...because our bodies are a vessel that carries a precious soul. 

We are supposed to nourish both...so these next 90 days as I conquer p90x3 and try to tone up and get healthy physically...I am also going on a journey to tone up and get healthy mentally and spiritually! 

Not alone... 
With the support of my husband  & family. 
With the kindness and guidance of friends, priests, and wise teachers to guide...
The accountability and support of my challenge groups to keep going...and their stories to inspire me...

I have dealt with many things in my life, but if I want to help others find the true freedom in knowing and believing you are loved...I need to continue to seek it myself.

And as I do this I would like to share my journey with you. The things I learn along the way...so that you can hopefully be inspired to dig deep on the inside and find that freedom too!

There is no shame in bringing our wounds to the light...for it is there that they can be healed...not in the darkness!

And in the meantime the affirmation , encouragement, and support if those around us help carry us through until we find that place, that Grace, that deeper relationship with our Creator where we tune in...quiet down...hear the truth...and live in it. Join me on this journey...step out if your comfort zone...what's lurking inside that needs to come out?

Make a plan...

Find Support...

Smash that old mirror :)