Sharing my experiences with food intolerance, fitness-sass and (most importantly) living vibrantly. Brought to you from the San Francisco Bay Area. Helping one more person get to the healthy, happy, passionate, inspired - and - skinny diva they have always wanted to be! Because let's be honest, who doesn't want to be that person?!
Since Gluten Free is not easy and I'd like to try to remain some "normalcy" in my life, I've started my journey with building the most comprehensive Gluten-Free Resource List I possibly can (clearly this is not even 2% of the resources out there - but it's a start)!
I heard Paul Coughlin speak. He said, "Courage is Grown in the Doing."
His application was different than mine, and probably different than how you are imagining this now. Take it for what it's worth to YOU!
The first thing I think of is the Nike Courage Commercial.
The second thing I think of is the "softer" side of Courage through the "Courage is..." song and slideshow.
And then I think of how much the both resonate with me - and how I've applied "Courage is Grown in the Doing"to my own life:
I am courageous each and every time I choose "my food" over the food I actually want.
I am courageous when I put my "I can do this" hat on and get the toughest of my workouts in. (Note: Today was one of those days - Legs at 7 sets, final in this series!)
I am courageous when I take chances to further my professional "self."
I am courageous when I don't allow "negative" people, thoughts or influences shape the person I am and working so hard to be.
I am courageous when dessert comes out and I say, "No thank you - I'll just have some Coconut Butter or Watermelon." (Side Note: NOT because I'm on a diet or wanting to be difficult, which is also part of me being "courageous" and not worrying what other people think.)
I am courageous in many ways. But what's important in that whole phrase is the part that comes after "Courage." "...is Grown in the Doing."
I didn't get the courage to do these or anything else overnight. (And there are many things I'm still working on "growing by doing.") You won't either. But you never will if you don't start now! Having the courage to think, act and do the things I am currently able to has literally "grown" through "doing."
For example, I practice these "crazy" eating habits on a daily basis so that by the time I am in public, with friends, family and out for social events, I am okay with sticking to what I must. I know my limits. And these daily habits have made me courageous!
I am reminded of how fortunate I have been for the past 27 years to have an amazing Father. I have always been, "My His Girl."
My favorite thing I said about my Father last year on Father's day was:
"But my Dad would give the shirt off his back for a stranger. He would give his last penny to a friend in need in a heartbeat. And again, it's because he believes he has everything he wants. He has mastered a simple and beautiful life that I am striving for. I adore my Father."
I remind myself of these things so often. (Probably because I have seen such a lack in these values from people lately.) But reminding myself. And remembering where I'm from and how my Father taught me to treat people with respect, help them when they need help and trust even when it seems "off" get me through the little (because they are "little") things in life.
There are many reasons why I'd love to live back in Minnesota. My Father is one of them.
I get my impatience from my Father. And my "unfiltered" language sometimes. I think I got his smile. And his long legs. I'm fairly certain I got his nose. I hope I got his dedicated, sincere work ethic.
The world has been a much better place with my Father! I love you.Miss you.And I keep a special place for you in my heart....2,000 miles away!
