I have made no secret that one of my personal heroes is Eleanor Roosevelt. I think I like her so much, because she pretty much defined herself. I have always wanted to define myself and never really had the faith or courage to do so. I found this site, 31 Days of Daily Inspiration for women. As I was looking at it, I was struck by how true many of these saying are and how they apply to me and my struggle and journey.
"We gain strength, courage and confidence every time we look fear in the face. We must do that which we think we cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt. A couple of years ago, they sent a flyer around school for a free trial boot camp, not Camp Gladiator. Some coworkers said I should try it. I told them I was going to die if I did that. I was so out of shape that I could not possibly be able to take on something like that. While part of that was true, the real truth was that I was terrified of trying anything like that. I was afraid of what I would look like trying to do it and embarrassing myself. Funny, because these days, you cannot keep me away from camp.
"Don't give up the search for happiness because you're afraid of getting hurt." Martha Raye Where was this quote when I was younger? I lived in constant fear of getting hurt or rejected, so I just gave up trying. I was also brought up to believe that I was not good enough to be happy. Nothing I did was good enough or just "enough." I have since learned that was all a big lie. I can honestly say that I am happy. I have a great job, friends, family and support system around me. I am making myself a better person. Do I have down and sad days? Of course, but they are lessening and not nearly as severe as they used to be.
"The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." Ayn Rand Amen, amen, amen! If you know me, I mean truly know me, you know that once my mind is set, there is no going back. I did however spend a great deal of time in my life, hiding my true self because I let people influence and stop me. I was afraid of making them mad or disappointing them, so I just because a little robot and did whatever they told me too. To compensate for that, I was eating like crazy. I figured that was the one thing I could control. The funny thing was, it ended up controlling me. When I finally realized, in my early 30's, that I was my own person and could use my voice, I did. No longer do I let people tell me what to do. If I do not want to do it, I am not going too. Since my mind is set on this journey, you are not going to be able to stop me. I will have setbacks, but no stopping now.
So I guess, I have reached the end of this post for today. I am not finished by any means, but for today I am. I will leave you with this bit of inspiration. "You are your best thing." Toni Morrison. Remember peeps, and self, that you are beautiful, worthy, loved and capable and you are the best thing about you.
Peace out peeps. I got some inspiring to do.
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