Ready, (re)Set, Go!

This morning at the breakfast table, my 7 year old asked each of us what we wanted to work on in the New Year. I asked her where she got such a concept from, and she said that they talked about it in her class before Winter Break. (She’s in 1st grade by the way.)

Long after the smell of breakfast’s bacon had cleared from the air, I found myself still thinking about our morning convo. What is it about the ending of one year and the beginning of a new one that makes us believe [with certainty] that we can begin again? What is it about this time of year that gives us just enough hope to think that maybe this year – this year – will be the year that I [fill in the blank] ?

Maybe we’re all still on the high that Christmas Magic seems to give us this time of year. Or maybe the door shutting on a 365 day chapter of our lives peaks our curiosity to see what awaits us on the other side of that heavy door. Whatever it is, I wonder why some of us wait until the end of the year to make these major changes that maybe should have been made earlier on.

About this time last year, a lovely friend’s fitness journey inspired me to start one of my own in the upcoming New Year.  I had started many of fitness journeys before in my life time, but they seemed to only last a few weeks before I would jump off of the wagon and back on to the couch never to break a sweat again. But there was something different about this time.  I had been following my friend’s journey for a while, and time and time again, the sentiment that rang loudly throughout each and every one of her posts’ was one of hope and not condemnation.  

She wasn’t working out because she hated the way she looked in the mirror, or had a “perfect” pants size she was trying to reach. She was working out because she loved herself, and believed that the temple that God gave her was worthy of being taken care of.  Fresh perspective.  If she missed a day – it was no big deal!  She would hit that cardio tomorrow.  If she could only work out for 10 minutes one day instead of 45 – she was thankful for the time that she did get to give to her health, and went on with her day.  It was the notion that she loved herself enough to be good to her body that gave me a glimmer of hope that I, too, just might be able to begin my health journey again, and actually make it stick this time. Three hundred and sixty two days later, I am happy (and shocked) to say that feeling the burn and sweating to club music has become a part of my regular routine. 🙂 I digress.

Whether it’s getting healthier in the new year, endeavoring to discover new places, finally kicking an addiction that’s had it’s grip on you for far too long, making new friends, ending a toxic relationship, or any of the other millions of resolutions that people make each January 1st, this past year has taught me that when you enter into your resolution with reverence for yourself as your fuel instead of condemnation – as my (imaginary) good friend Katniss Everdeen proclaims – the odds are ever in your favor.

So, if you’d been sitting at our dining table this morning, what would you have answered when Danica asked you? Whatever you’re endeavoring to begin this January 1st, remember that you deserve the goodness that will come from you following through. Be good to yourself. Celebrate the small victories, shake off the small set backs, and get excited! Now’s as good a time as any.

Ready. (re)Set. Go!