I AM strong! I can push through anything! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!  It is OK to feel uncomfortable!

I set a goal to run 1 mile and like it in 30 days (the end of my current 90 Day Challenge).  I am on day 20.  I started by walking 1/4 mile, running 1/4 mile (twice).  This week I increased it to (walk1/3, run 1/3) twice and that was my goal when I went out today.

I didn’t feel much like running this afternoon.  I felt lethargic and hot.  I thought that I wouldn’t make it past running the first 1/4 mile.  When I reached it I thought, ok, just a little ways to go and I can walk again or maybe just quit.  But then, something happened.

As I focused my site way ahead on the trail, I began to chant to myself:

I AM strong! I can push through anything! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!  It is OK to feel uncomfortable!

Suddenly, I was focused on pushing through to 1/2 mile.  That may not sound much to many of you, but for someone who hates running and has never been good at it (except for when I was child), 1/2 mile is a BIG deal!

Oh my goodness!  Could I do it?  I hit the 1/3 mile mark and although it would have been easy to resume walking, I strangely kept going as I chanted:

I AM strong! I can push through anything! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!  It is OK to feel uncomfortable!

And, I DID IT!  I made it to 1/2 mile.  Well now what?  Do I walk a 1/2 mile back?  I could but I thought no, I should only rest 1/4 mile, which is what I did.  I walked 1/4 mile and ran another 1/4 mile and finished with a 1/4 mile cool down.

Wow!  I am pleased as punch with myself, what I consider a big YIPPEE! for the day!

Here’s the thing.  I seriously don’t like to feel uncomfortable.  That is why I don’t like to run because I don’t like the feeling of losing my breath.  Aren’t there a ton of things in life that make us feel uncomfortable?

Working through things that make us feel uncomfortable (things that are good for us and authentic to who we are), makes us stronger, builds more character, and reveals more of our authentic selves!

I want to be strong, true, and authentic.  I want to know that I can push through when the going gets tough no matter what it is!  And because of that?  I WILL be running a mile with ease by the end of the next 20 days.  Yay me!