Expect Great Things, Attempt Great Things

Has someone ever told you that you couldn't? 

Have you ever told yourself "I can't?" 

Have you ever done something you never thought you could? 

I can give you one example for every year of my life of something that either someone told me I couldn't do or something I told myself I couldn't do. 

For several years, I've set goals in front of me that I've never done before. For the most part, I've met them all. Some are still in progress, but I'm ok with that. Aren't we all still in progress? 

This past holiday break, I began listening to Candace Cameron Bure's Reshaping It All. Yes, you read that right - Candance Cameron aka DJ Tanner. 

Like many influential verses, books, and movies, her book continued to pop up around me (twitter, internet, mom's boards, magazines). 

I take these "pop ups" to mean more than coincidence. (check out SQuire Rushnell's Godwinks series). 

So, with a giftcard from a special friend, I downloaded the audio version of Reshaping It All. 

On Friday, December 16th, I began listening to what would start changing my thinking and start reshaping my spirit all over again. 

Lord knows, I needed it after the prior 6 weeks. 

As I began listening, I began working out while listening. Her voice is just as motivating as her words. Everything she was saying was making sense. 

From chapter 1-19 something incredible happened to me. I began to look back over my life and see the exact points where I was spiritually sound and balanced and where I wasn't. When I wasn't, I seemed to always be in a struggle with my weight. 

She gave childhood scenarios and they seemed to almost mimic my own. 

As a I did jumping jacks, push ups, and ran, several "truths" began to unfold before me. 

1. If someone wasn't putting me down on a daily basis, I'd do that myself. 

2. Food was always used as a comfort when I didn't know what to do with emotions. 

3. Excuses for bad eating were ok because that is what I was taught. 

4. Saying no to desserts or food was "rude." 

5. Working out after a baby had no point. Nothing was happening anyway. 

I began to look at these "truths" in a new light. I listened earnestly to what Candace was saying and really began to see what I'd been doing to myself. 

So, I began training. I worked out at least once a day. I kept track of my food, snacks, and activity with a simple phone app. 

If you know me, you know I'm conscious in being in the moment & in being grateful, but I realized that I was not being conscious of what I was eating, how I was caring for my body or how my spirit was creating a plateau I'd never break. 

So for 2 weeks I trained, ate clean, became conscious of how to be disciplined in my spirit, mind, and body. I knew that in order to live out goals I've had for years, I would have to train all 3 parts of my being or I could never see those goals to the finish line. 

I had no idea what I was training for specifically, but I continued. I felt better already. 

Then, after 2 weeks, I got a text from a friend. "Hey, there's a marathon in Dallas in March. We should do it!" 

Uh. No. YOU should do it. I'll cheer. 

Something led me to this website and I began to read. 

Well, it looks fun. But there's no way. 1/2? 13 miles? I couldn't run 13 miles even at my peak fitness. I can't. 

As I continued to ponder on the thought above, I realized that I was telling myself "You can't." 

WHAT?!?!

I'm the person that will not let anyone - ANYONE- tell me I can't. My life story has a theme and this was it - I CAN. 

So, I texted her back. "YES! I will!" 

OMG. What did you just do? You will?! How?! What are you thinking? You can't even run 5 miles w/out stopping. Well, you can't back out now. You spoke it and so it will be. *knock*knock* You ARE crazy, huh? 

I immediately downloaded an app to help me and came up with a plan for training, eating and support. 

This isn't about losing weight or being skinny. This is about dedication, discipline, and faith. 

Why did I say yes? I decided that I have the power to do this - WE have the power to do this.

I'm doing this for YOU. 

I'm doing it for all of those who physically can't. 

I'm doing it for those who tell themselves they can't and settle. 

I'm doing it for my kids, my husband, my friends, myself and my God. 

I'm here to love. 

I'm here to serve. 

I'm here to inspire. 

I'm here to live out and tell my truth. 

Tisha (me) will do a 1/2 marathon in March. Tisha will FINISH a 1/2 marathon in March. 

Tisha can DO whatever she sets her mind to do-Always in all ways. The biggest step is the first step. 

"A man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." ~ Psalm 37:23