(Please note, this post is not addressing the very real, very hard situations we are faced with in life, such as abuse, death, financial and personal struggles, etc., nor do I make light of those.)
I like to do hard things.
For the things in life we get to choose, many people equate hard with bad--something to be avoided--but I find that a lot of times the really hard things end up being some of the best. 'Hard' often just means challenging, stretching, and re-defining.
'Hard' is outside the comfort box that I try to draw tightly around myself. And that's why I like it, even need it sometimes. 'Hard' makes me push past normalcy to go and do more than I thought I could.
The other day I was working out with one of Bob Harper's DVD's, my 4 year old and 3 month old observing me (in my life right now there is no perfect time to exercise, so I take it when I can), and Isaiah says, "Oh, this is the really hard guy, right?" Yes, yes it is.
And that's why I love Bob's workouts. I want to be pushed past my perceived physical boundaries. I want someone yelling at me that I can do more, to not give up. I want to feel like I can barely stand up at the end, because I know that I gave it my all, and that tomorrow, I can do more than I could today.
I birthed two out of our three babies without drugs or medications, and lots of people have asked "Why?!?!"....like, "Why would you put your self through that when you don't have to?" There were lots of actual reasons, but when I'm honest, a part of it was simply because it was hard, and I like the challenge of doing hard things. Not that I maintained those sentiments during the birth process... :)
So, on to the next. In a few days, a friend and I are doing the eating program called Whole30 together. Basically, for 30 days, you eat meat, vegetables, fruit, healthy fats, and nuts--whole, unprocessed foods. No grains, dairy, sugar, alcohol, or legumes--and no cheating!
It's going to be hard. I'm going to face prepping and preparing Whole30 compliant food for myself, and then food for my family, with 3 little boys in tow. I'm going to have to redefine what a snack looks like when I'm exhausted (from said 3 little boys), have nothing in the fridge, and just need food for energy. I'm not going to be able to have cream in my coffee or hummus with my vegetables for 30.whole.days. (When I think of it, those are two of the things I feel most sad to not eat for a month. Ha!)
But....it's going to be awesome! Seriously, I am so pumped (and nervous) for this. These kind of strict, black and white guidelines are exactly what I need and appreciate. Goals from the month include, but are not limited to: taking off some remaining weight from pregnancy, reducing energy slumps, and creating a better, healthier relationship with food in general.
I don't want to ever fear hard things just because they are....hard.
Sometimes, the hard things end up being the best!
Here are my top best hard things:
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| Isaiah: 4 years, Ezra, 2 years |
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| Judah, 3 months |
