Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better!

While on Facebook today, I came across this quote and it really spoke to me. So many times I read quotes and it touches me but today was different. It sparked visual realizations…and I want to share it with you.

We all go through hard times in our life. We all have struggles. Some more than others, but we have all experienced it. And I can think of situations where I just wished it was easier…the situation….life.

But reflecting on the difficult times in my life, I realize now that some of the biggest blessings in my life have come from struggle and pain. I thank God that He has brought me through the hard times and for the lessons I’ve learned.

A couple of things in particular came to my mind immediately. The first is my 6 year old son. For several years of my early adulthood, in a quest to find MY way, I made many decisions that caused major hardships, not only for myself but for my family and my friends. And I learned that the personal decisions we make, good or bad, not only affect us but others as well.

For years I had floated in and out of a lifestyle that continually sucked me back in time and time again. I experienced and witnessed things that I wouldn’t wish on anyone! The life changer was getting pregnant. I made a decision very early in my pregnancy that I would NOT subject my child to the lifestyle in which I was living. I wanted better for him than I’d been doing for myself. But in order to do that I had to better myself.

This post could get REALLY long if I laid out all the details from that point. However, in an effort not to drag this out, I will just say that my life has only gotten better from that point. Am I saying there haven’t been other struggles and pain in my life? Absolutely not!

Which brings me to the other blessing I want to share with you. As a result of the tumultuous lifestyle I lived for so long, there were mental and psychological scars left that I wasn’t aware of for a long time. Because of the upward turn my life had taken, I felt I had every reason to be happy, grateful and thankful. I really didn’t even feel I deserved the blessings that had been bestowed upon me!

At a time in my life when I’d been blessed with an amazing husband, 3 bonus sons, and 2 biological sons, was able to stay home with my children, I still dealt with depression, self-doubt, and lack of self-confidence. I couldn’t understand it but I knew that I wanted it to change. And the first place I knew to start was losing weight. I thought maybe that was the reason I felt so bad all the time.

I have discussed my journey in detail before so I won’t rehash it in its entirety. But for those who may be new to find my blog, I was a size 16 when I started trying to lose weight. Searching for the thing that would give me the results that I ultimately desired, I came across P90X and had amazing results. I have lost about 50 pounds, dropped almost 20% body fat and for the first time ever in my adult life wear a size 6.

Has the physical transformation been amazing? Yes it has. But more importantly are the changes that have taken place on the inside. THAT is what has made this such a life-changing experience for me!

I had times I didn’t know that I could do it. I had times I wanted to quit. But the desire for CHANGE outweighed the desire to quit! I didn’t want to just continue going through the motions of pretending everything was great. I really wanted to EXPERIENCE the greatness that my life could be!

An added blessing is the opportunity to PAY IT FORWARD!! Becoming a Team Beachbody coach has not only helped me achieve physical results with my body, it has also allowed me to connect with others who encourage me to be the best person that I can be. It has taught me to strive for personal growth and development daily. It has allowed me the opportunity to help other people achieve success which is so fulfilling! And it has allowed me to earn an income which helps my family….all without having to give up my full-time mother status. I am able to take my boys to school every day, participate in school activities, pick them up from school and I’m not left stressed out when I have a sick child who can’t go to school.

I am SO thankful for the hard times I’ve experienced in my life! And when the hard times come, may my attitude always be “Don’t wish it were easier, wish I was better!“