Everyday we should strive to learn something new.  Even the days when I feel like doing absolutely NOTHING; I’m constantly learning.  It could be something as simple as a new word from the dictionary, or about my family history.  Never get into the habit where you become comfortable with where you are, because it will become impossible to grow.

I didn’t want to go to the gym this morning.  I kept thinking what if I skip today, it won’t hurt nothing.  I’m discouraged at times because I still can’t believe I allowed myself to gain this much weight.  It was that thinking of, “oh I’ll skip doing anything active today” that landed me in this spot in the first place.  I rolled over at 4:45 am and went though.  I learned to push myself towards the goal even when I don’t feel like it.

Do you ever look at pictures of yourself from high school, or even college?  What could I learn from that person that appeared to have it all together? Cheesing from ear to ear displaying all of my 32 teeth, what could I learn from her?  Imagine yourself on a mountain bike/10 speed, or even an exercise bike.  What happens when you peddle backwards?

Nothing.

You don’t move forward, and if you’re on a hill you will go tumbling very fast.  I can always go back to the old photos of myself and think about how small I was, but I am definitely wiser now.  Back then I believed in reading and being aware of my surroundings, but it’s amazing what a little wisdom and time will do for you.

When I decided to move closer to home a year ago people thought I was crazy.  Why would you go BACK home?  That’s not the case at all; the journey is new.  Every time that you feel like you’re going backwards, think of it as your way of going forward to learn something.  The R.J. that moved into the family home after undergrad is a totally different person than the R.J. that moved to Michigan in order to start her own publishing company.

I challenge you today to hop on a bike, think about what I said, and apply it to your life.  Are you trying to peddle forward or backward?

The choice is yours.

Xoxo,

R.J.