Happy Thought #3 – Beauty in Following Through

Just before Christmas, I was getting back into a habit of working out. I let myself take a break between Christmas and New Years but wanted to ensure I jumped back into it as soon as possible after my family headed home. With that in mind, I got up this morning to go for a run.

As I was putting on my shoes, I noticed the skies were overcast and it gave me a moment of pause. What if it started raining while I was out? Then I saw some tags I have on my shoes with one of my favorite quotes:

She believed she could, so she did.

So I continued lacing up and said to myself “What if it DOES rain while I’m out?” Then I’ll get a little wet, no big deal.

I grabbed my headphones and the arm band for my phone, then stepped out the front door…to find it already downpouring, with a small waterfall coming off the roof.

I paused again, then remembered what I’d just told myself. What would it hurt if I got wet? Nothing.

So I went for my run and yes, I got wet, but I also got:

• My workout in, as I had planned.
• The joy of feeling strong and confident during my run.
• To tell myself I was a rock star for continuing to run, when many others (myself included) might have gone back inside.
• To feel like I’m moving in the right direction for my health.

So, my happy thought today is how much beauty there is in following through with a personal commitment.

Many of us are in the throes of New Years resolutions and/or taking a fresh look at ourselves and what’s important to us. The beginning of the year is a wonderful time for reflection, change, but more importantly, action.

The action part isn’t always easy. When we start to take action on things we want to change or improve, we’re bound to come up against resistance on all fronts – emotional, mental, or sometimes even physical, like this rain was for me today. Whatever your resistance is, know that you can do it.

When it comes to small changes and small actions – going for that run, choosing that apple over that cookie, picking up the phone to make that difficult call – whatever it is you’re working toward, it’s on your mind for a reason. You want to tackle it for a reason.

So when that resistance comes up, especially on something that’s relatively small, the best advice I can give is to challenge yourself to do it, as you planned, and allow yourself some time for reflection afterward. Did you regret it? Did you wish you’d followed your “gut” and skipped whatever it was?

I’ve never really regretted following through and I bet you’ll feel the same. Or perhaps you’ve already experienced this yourself. What have you followed through with lately, despite hesitating? How did it make you feel?

I’d love to hear from you!