You have authority.

The other day I ran further than I have ever ran before. 

You know why? 

I stopped telling myself I couldn’t. 

That’s it. 

For years I have always just been a dancer in my mind. Then just a yogi. Now I’m just the girl who likes to cross train when I am lucky to carve out some time. 

Never the cardio queen. 

I say “just” because I didn’t see how I could escape those confines of my own mind.  

I always told myself I didn’t have the body of a runner. Or it wasn’t necessary for what I was going for. Or I never had the right shoes. Or it was too hot. OR OR OR ?

You see where I’m going?  

In reality, I didn’t let myself believe that I could be anything else other than the girl who was super flexible. I limited myself by staying within movement regiments that reinforced what I’m naturally athletic at, therefore feeling successful and allowing my body's abilities to dictate my path. 

The truth… I was afraid to suck at running.

But one random Wednesday, I got tired of making excuses for myself on why I don’t run when I have had this overwhelming urge to run lately. 

I have been ignoring my body’s desire to GROW into the uncomfortable. This opportunity to prove to myself once again that I am capable of so much more than my mind will allow me to believe. 

The moment I told myself to just run - with no pacer, no set goal - but to go for as long as I could - I gained authority over my destiny. 

When we ignore our desire to grow, we are throwing away authority over our life and letting our self conscious tendencies win once again. With growth comes discomfort, but with that discomfort comes worlds that have yet to be explored and new abilities unlocked. 

When I face these crossroads, I have to remind myself that I have the authority to take control of my outcomes.

I have the choice on how I treat my body. How I wake up each day and look at what the world has to offer me. I have the ability to change how I treat others or how I present to the world. I get to choose what foods I put on my plate and where I buy those from. I have control over my sleep schedule, or when I make time for myself to fill my own cup. 

I have the choice to work towards a life that I desire by taking care of my body, my mind, my spirit.

And while for some that may look like going for that little run you have been so afraid of... for others it may be working towards making home made meals instead or ordering out, or reading a book at night instead of looking at your phone. To others it may be taking more yoga for yourself or cutting back on things you say yes even when they are entirely overwhelming your schedule. 

WE have a choice in many things within our life (not all! but most). 

Think of how beautiful it would be to make the decision one day at a time to work towards a life that is fulfilling. Curating a life that is not only nourishing for your body but also for your mind? Creating a life what makes you feel energized, instead of looking forward with dread.

YOU have that authority day in and day out to dictate your own destiny. 

And please know that I am cheering you on while you do it 🤍

Lots of love,

Tia