September 15th

Day 15: Simply September

(Day 46: Accountable August, Day 78: Jenn in July, Day 107: Journey Continued June, Day 138: Made it May, Day 168: Appreciation April, Day 199: Mending March, Day 227: Fitness February, Day 258: No Junk Food January)

 “Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness.  It took me years to understand that this, too, was a gift.”

That is one of my many favorite quotes.  It takes an idea that is so sad and desolate sounding and adds a completely positive and revolutionary idea to it.  There is much and many who may have succeeded to offer up some sort of ‘box of darkness’ to our lives.  The important part is what we do with this box.  It is indeed a gift, albeit a potentially dangerous one, which can offer you the opportunity of a life time… but it’s up to you to choose.  In my opinion you can A. carry the box of dark sadness around with you or B. find a way to use it as the inspiration to overcome what fears or dismays the darkness itself contains.

I picked option B.  It hasn’t always been easy… there have been moment where I’ve found myself back pedaling, but all in all I’d have to thank this year’s journey for finally giving me the chance to annihilate the darkness from the remaining corners of the box!  It’s a liberating feeling to know that you are letting your true inner light shine thought! 

Since Simply September is all about just being me; the ‘journey me’ I have become along the way- I thought this was an important idea to share.  I couldn’t have made all the changes to my life without this someone’s gift of darkness, and oddly- for what it’s worth, I thank them for it!  Sounds crazy, but I’m sure some of you may understand. 

As always a big thank you to all those who are boxes of light in my life!  Much gratitude for always shining so brightly!

September 9th

Day 8: Simply September

(Day 39: Accountable August, Day 70: Jenn in July, Day 100: Journey Continued June, Day 131: Made it May, Day 161: Appreciation April, Day 192: Mending March, Day 220: Fitness February, Day 251: No Junk Food January)

So to those who follow, I apologize for my lack of writing during Accountable August. Something happened last month… if felt more like Apathetic August. There is good news that came out of the unfortunate month of August though- and that is the renewed drive, the reminder of where I’ve been and how far I’ve come, and the lesson that things in life don’t always go as YOU want them to. So it’s very much a ‘pull up your socks’ moment; time to move on and let go of the anxieties and uncertainties.

Hence the name for September was born, ‘simply’. For this month I have set myself no huge goals, no crazy ploys… for the Simply September I am to be just me. To have the faith in myself each day to make the right choices, to build on the inner confidences I’ve developed, to learn from my failures rather than be downtrodden by them, etc. I know there is the inner will power to do and be so much more; I’ve proof of that happening this year so far. It is important that one letdown never be a reason not to try again!

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24. The prize is not literal; it’s not some gold medal standing on the highest place on the podium. The material gold medal is worthless compared to the amount of inner worth this journey has taught me to seek. Rather, I see the prize as a ‘centered me’, a confidante being physically, spiritually and emotionally. Someone that can take on all that life gives, that finds happiness in the world they surround themselves with.

Examine defeats, failures, and missed opportunities. Explore the positive changes needed. Extract the joy, subtract the pain. Expand the mind. Endeavor daily.

Side note, eight weeks now and I’ve managed to stay away from soda! Woo hoo! Don’t even miss it, which is great!

Thank you all! The support though out this year has been amazing and continues to inspire me to complete this year long journey!