run your own race

"I have tried everything but just can't lose weight."  "I am happy being this size."  "It is too hard to get out and exercise."  "My schedule is so full I don't have time to cook or exercise."  "I don't know how to cook the right foods."  "I get tired of eating healthy food."

If I had a dollar for the times I have said or heard those phrases, I would have a better looking bank account.  Lately, I have wanted to spread the great news that it IS possible to change your life and to get yourself healthy.  What I have come to realize is that even though I see it clearly as the thing a person should do for themselves, not everyone is ready to do that.  I know.  I have been there.  I even have the 2X t-shirt to prove it.

This week someone shared an outlook on life with me and although she could not quote this word for word I can google anything.  Here is what I found. 

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave

with the intention of arriving safely

in an attractive and well preserved body,

But rather to skid in sideways,

chocolate in one hand,

wine in the other,

body thoroughly used up,

totally worn out and screaming

"WOO HOO what a ride!"

 I can understand this line of thinking and I have to say that I DO intend to live my life to the fullest, but I want to be here for as long as possible.  If I continued on the kind of path the poem is talking about it was going to be an early grave for me.  The way I am living now it can be a longer trip on Earth and I can take care of the body God gave me so that I can enjoy life to it's fullest.  Tomorrow is not promised but I am going to spend my todays taking care of what I have.  I suppose I just can't make everyone feel the same way.

Last week a wise lady said my new favorite quote.  She said, "You have to run your own race."  She was not referring to the topic I am writing about here but I felt it fit perfectly.  I feel like her message was telling me to run this race and those that want to will run their own race too.  Maybe I will get the chance to give some advice, ideas and encouragement along the way but you just can't force people to get on the path.