For some reason, I kept them on all day and was so relieved to change into lounge pants and a T-shirt when I returned home.
The reality is that it’s not been a great fitness year for me. I still run regularly but far less than I have in the past. This time last year I had just completed my third full marathon – running and walking 26.2 miles along the hills of Maui, Hawaii overlooking the Pacific. It was an extremely tough race in the heat and hills but a wonderful vacation with my husband.
Looking at my RunKeeper app on my phone, I had logged 679 miles of running by this time in 2018! I’ve got 242 miles so far for 2019 – not bad but almost a third of what I did last year. I still eat healthy-ish but I certainly don’t meal prep or avoid carbs and sugar. I haven’t packed on a bunch of weight but there are a few extra pounds showing up.
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| My RunKeeper App showing the miles I ran this year vs. last year...Much Less this year. |
Meanwhile, I look around me and see friend after friend sharing how they’re much healthier than a year ago – eating better, losing pounds and inches, lifting more weights, running faster and farther. I am amazed and so proud of them! It takes so much discipline, planning and self-control to achieve what they’re doing. It’s great to see people taking charge of their bodies and strive toward healthy living and greater self-confidence.
It is tempting to compare and feel disappointed by my own lack of fitness discipline recently. But I know that’s foolish and totally unproductive. I am still active and healthy. I take care of myself and feel beautiful. And I know that I’m doing what I can in this season of my life.
Unexpected Changes
It is autumn. The season of change. Any my life has been full of it the past few months. Some heart-breaking changes mixed with exciting new things.Over the summer my husband faced health challenges that we kept more private. Then the tragic accident happened where I worked, resulting in the loss of a beautiful, young friend and co-worker. A few weeks later, I suddenly lost my job.
Yes, I have cried a lot these past few months. And I know many others have too. So many of us in this community have endured tragic, heart-breaking losses. Being forced to say Goodbye to young souls far too early. Unanswered questions lingering in our minds while we grieve.
But we remain. And I believe the best way to honor and remember those we have lost, is to live with purpose, intention and a thankful heart.
A New Goal
Before all the changes and challenges of the summer hit, I had a goal I was working toward. It was something I had thought about for a couple years but never committed to pursue. It would take a lot of time, which is something very precious to a full-time working mother with three young children. But for various reasons, I knew that I would want to make a job change within the year, so I took action.In May, I signed up to take the 99-Hour Delaware Real Estate licensing course online. I plugged away at it, one hour at a time. Usually I fired up the laptop at 9 p.m. after putting the children to bed and went through a section of the course and took the Exam for that portion. Sometimes I woke up as early as 3 or 4 a.m. to get in a couple hours before getting the kids up and heading to work.
The course material was extensive but not too difficult, since I have been selling new homes for the past 12 years and know a great deal about land, home features, mortgages, etc. Some weeks, I did not get much done, especially during the challenging times of summer but I pressed on. After the tragic death of my co-worker, who had the same sales position as me, I had no idea what the timeframe would be for making my career change.
It ended up being decided for me. I was let go from my job of 6 years at the end of August. Though that rocked my world a bit, it gave me time to finish what I had started. Exactly two weeks later, I completed the course while sitting on my couch at 4 a.m. and passed the 3-hour long Delaware Real Estate License Exam the very next day! Victory. What a relief.
I joined a successful real estate team, and my official Real Estate License arrived in the mail just last week! The next few months may not be easy as I establish myself in the highly competitive real estate world, but I’m ready for the challenge. I know a great deal of people in the area and have a proven track record of being able to sell homes. Plus, the faith that God will provide.
My black jeans may have fit too tight yesterday, but I had the realization of a different goal in my hand as I placed that new licensing card in my wallet.
And thus begins a new chapter in our adventurous journey.
