"Life is NOT Practice"

I am an avid reader, actually let me restate that I am an avid learner, therefore I read a lot. I don't always start at the beginning of books and read the entire thing but more or less try to gather information. I feel as though I am someone that wants to know a little bit about everything. One of my recent reads has been a book by Tosca Reno called Your Best Body Now. I've read most of her books and try to follow her Clean Eating habits - but this book had a section in it that really caught my eye and where I want to focus my next few blog posts on.

The chapter is called "Best Body Now Inspiration" and the first sentence says this, "Retraining your brain to think positive, empowering thoughts guaranteeing Best Body Now success may be a challenging process, particularly for those of you who are caregivers and unaccustomed to putting yourself first" Well WOW did she nail me on the head!!

It goes on to talk about taking an honest look at your life - with a series of questions to answer. These questions are designed to get you to start thinking about who you really are. So here goes!!!

How happy and content are you with your life?

Well that's a tough first question to answer out the gate! Am I happy  - yes, I do believe I am. But, if I peel apart the layers to that question and dig even a bit further I find that my happiness is a direct reflection on if I make other people happy. I am a people pleaser to no end - I never expect anything out of anyone else, but I simply love to make people smile, or brighten a day. It is never anything big - maybe a card in the mail, making their favorite dinner, giving inspiration for no reason, calling them just to say hi, sending them their favorite treat - anything. I feel I am someone that has a good sense on peoples emotions and how they are doing. This is great but, I'm learning that I don't always take care of myself, or when I do I am riddled with guilt. Guilt is a terrible wasted emotion.

I feel I can do more in my life - there is this nagging feeling that I have that tells me I'm destined to do more with my life. I want to help but where? Who? How? I want to learn everything, and be perfect! WAIT - that's it...I'm constantly searching for perfection. How do I let that go - nobody is perfect and when do you realize that? I struggle with this constantly - I look in the mirror and I tend to notice faults rather than all that is so beautiful!

What's ironic about this all is that I'm the one always telling others how the outer shell is just that, the person you are on the inside is what matters. Nobody is perfect but you can only be the best you each and every day. When will I listen to my own advice? Additionally, I've traveled to places in the world like India, and Colombia where people have so much less but yet their lives are so fulfilled. I remember seeing people in India with no homes, living on the street with a simple tarp over their heads  - guess what they had smiles on their faces!! We can learn so much from other people and their lives.

GOAL: Okay enough is enough! I'm 35, I'm clearly not getting any younger. I'm taking a stand right now! Each day I will spend time in the mirror looking at myself but shutting out the critical negative thinking - I must learn to rerecord the negative tape that plays in my head. So what if I'm not a super model or weigh 135 pounds - I am the best Sharon that I can be and getting better each and every day. My looks, this body do not define me, nor will I allow them to keep me prisoner any longer!

Life is NOT practice - we do not get a chance to "do over". Each day should be cherished and lived to it's fullest potential. I think this will be my new mantra!!

Be the best you!!

S.