A Motivational Quote from Theodore Roosevelt

Happy Motivational Monday! 

The following favorite quote was contributed by blogger Amy Eizinger-Ott of A Latte with Ott, A

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

-- Theodore Roosevelt
"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

By George, I think he got it!

It's Motivational Monday AND Thanksgiving week! What a wonderful time to remind ourselves of our blessings.

That said, for many people the start of the holiday season also means the expectation - I dare say obligation - to stuff ourselves as much as the turkey.

So, I thought is would be reassuring that NO WHERE in the original Thanksgiving Proclamation signed October 3, 1789 by George Washington himself does he require us to eat all the Thanksgiving trimmings, your mother-in-law's secret Jello salad with the disgusting celery and shredded carrots or your Mom's delicious cherry pie with the crust made with lard.

The main point George makes is this:

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Here's the link for the full read.

http://wilstar.com/holidays/wash_thanks.html

Happy Motivational Monday and Thanksgiving!

Kim's a Star in The Star

Okay, I am having technical difficulties with this Jpeg...BUT...none the less...Kim was a star again and was selected to be in this insert ad for Anytime Fitness.  This was circulated within 2 miles of the Avalon Crossing area by the northside Anytime Fitness.

Way to go Kim again!

Kim Continues to Inspire! She's on 100.9 FM tomorrow and in the Indy Star!

Hey! Listen for my friend and client Kim on 100.9 FM tomorrow on The Scottie Show! She called in today when they were talking about what inspired people to lose weight - their "aha" moment!  They were so inspired they asked her to call back tomorrow after they see her in the paper!! Very cool!

Here's the "after"

And the "before"

Also! She will be in The Indy Star tomorrow in an Anytime Fitness ad!! 

Motivational Monday!

Here is our first quote for Motivational Monday! 

It is my favorite!
Not only because of what it says, but also because my daughters gave me a ring with this saying for Christmas last year. I wear every day.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

--Lao-tzu

The Way of Lao-tzu

Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)

 

If you have a favorite quote - let me know!  We'll post it!!

Year two, where's the divine intervention?

It's Year Two.

Actually, Year Two of competitive figure training began on October 4.  It's taken me this long to write about it.

The time delay provides more time for...reflection...sure...let's go with that...
Real reason? 

Why am I doing this? Should I be doing it? Is it the right thing to do?  I love it but...

Last year was crystal clear. My motivation was to stop being afraid or caring what other people think but...truly...

...Divine intervention pushed me to the stage.

Yeah...never blogged about that...

In the name of the Blogging Code of Transparency, quick flashback...

Don't freak out, but a year ago I heard voices...well...a voice.  Not the Sixth Sense "I see dead people" creepy type of voice...



 But a supernatural voice none the less that would not shut up for about a month.

Why did I hear this voice? Step back in time a bit more. Last summer there was a break up of a very...ummm...let's call it an "unhealthy" relationship and my confusing professional life. 

I prayed A LOT about what to do.

I expected God to mention a company to get in touch with or give me a sign to go back to school.

Instead I literally heard a voice say "figure competition."

And I literally looked over my shoulder and said "that's stupid" and ignored it.

Single Mom with two kids finding time to work out hours at a time with the end goal of dressing in a bikini and 5" heels with a spray tan. 

Stupid.

I wasn't going to do it. Period.

How the heck was that going to heal a broken heart or help me earn income?

Discussion over. Well, the voice disagreed.

 Have you seen the movie Ghost when Patrick Swanzy's character, Sam Wheat, hounds Whoopie Goldberg's character, Oda may Brown, the psychic, until she agreed to deliver a message to his girlfriend, Molly? 

 

Well, it was sort of like that...no one sang "I am Henry the 8th I am," all night but the voice was persistent.  Man, I thought I could nag.  It hounded me for the entire month of September until I went to the OCB Bodybuilding Show on September 26. 

That's when I saw the figure competitors on-stage - fit, confident and just owning it - and I got it. 

The voice was right. You really can't care what people think when you are on stage in a bikini, 5" heels and a spray tan. There was this feeling of peace, the voice left and I was on my way.

Back to Year Two.

 No voice.

But there is a strong desire to be clear why I am doing this.  The drive to compete is no longer just for myself but more broad.  It's more about supporting and motivating others by sharing and being open about the highs and lows of this journey and also sharing the journeys of others. Stay tuned for more of those very soon.

Oh! By they way, the competition did actually heal my broken heart and provide income.

 I'm now dating a wonderful guy now who is not intimidated by my training at all. And now that I am a certified personal trainer, I have earned income.

Gee, this time delay has actually been reflective after all....I need to procrastinate ...er...I mean..."reflect" more often...

Look for the next entry on Monday, for what will now be called "Motivational Mondays."

Have a good weekend!