I have been out of the walking game for so long that I had forgotten how good it truly feels to get my shoes on, hit the pavement and get a good walk under my belt. I realized today how much time I have missed getting to know myself better. I also realized that once I started to reflect and finally come to terms with my deployment issues that I wasn't done with the work. 

The thought came to me early on my journey today. I can't simply stop working on myself because I resolved one issue. I need to work every day to learn my intended lessons. Afterall, if we ever stop learning we cease to grow and I believe that learning and growth is the reason we are here. 

My lesson today was key to taking yet another deep dive into my life and searching for answers to questions that have been haunting me and holding me back for the last few years and some for much of my life.

I started to change my life 5 weeks ago and decided to take on the challenge of loosing the extra weight I gained while living a sedentary life. During this process I am teaming with a girlfriend who is taking on these challenges herself. While we were having our weekly meeting today to talk about how the week was going we both decided to actually schedule time to be dedicated to us and our journey for self improvement.

Thinking about that made me question what it is that truly makes me happy about me and the person I am. I realized during my walk today that it really boils down into three groups:

• What makes me happy about the person I am today?
• What would make me happier about the person I am that can be achieved by setting goals and sticking with them?

And last but most important:

Addressing the next question really turned into a laundry list of short and long term goals for myself. Not for those around me. I am specifically talking about self improvement. I spent a nice bit of time thinking about what things in my life I can change or aspire to change in the near future that would make me feel better about me. 

I truly believe that the way the world sees us is absolutely driven by how we view ourselves first and foremost. I know I have spent too much time focusing on what others think of me and haven't given what I think of myself a moments thought. The truth is, instead of creating my own truth and coming to acceptance of myself (warts and all), I was letting myself be defined by what others thought of me. The fact is, we should never let other people, our own shortcomings or struggles define who we are as people. When we decide to get real with ourselves and let our true light shine, others will see the truth in us as well. Yeah that was a little deep but I was really stuck working on this thought today. It's just so true for me personally. I let my failures and limitations define who I am for so long that eventually I just turned that role into a lifestyle. Deep down I guess the fact that I eventually get back to the work of self improvement shows that isn't the real me. It is merely the "me" I was reflecting to the world. 

Well it's time to get serious about making real change and I'm truly looking forward to the journey.

The third question: What is something I consider really out of reach that I feel in my soul would make me happy?

This is the question that will help guide me through life. I try to encourage my children to dream big and that nothing should be out of reach if they want to pursuit it. The fact is I believe regardless of our age we can do anything we set our minds to. If we limit our lives to a perfect little box we consider our "comfort zone", we may miss the right and left turns our lives may take that could lead to bigger and better opportunities for us to learn or excel. If we know what our passions are (no matter how out of reach they may seem) and we stay open to change, we are bound to be surprised where life takes us. Sounds like an exciting ride to me! 

Well, laundry and dishes are calling so I will sign off today.

Lesson of the day: Learn to love yourself and stay true to the person you really are. People will always appreciate that about you.

Wishing you happiness and light!

Laura D.