“You are the only thing standing in your way.”
That’s what hit me hard this week—and maybe, it’s what you need to hear too.
Because sometimes, the truth is… we’re not stuck. We’re just not loving ourselves enough to try.
I just spent the past week in Michigan visiting my parents, family, and friends. I attended a wedding, celebrated my brother-in-law’s retirement, celebrated Father’s Day, and enjoyed a fun dinner with my parents for their 60th wedding anniversary.
It. Was. A lot.
Did I mention I got sick on day 2 of the trip?
Anyhoo, I digress.
This trip was actually life changing. Because it made me really look at myself.
Have you ever done that? Really look at yourself in the mirror?
It’s horrifying. At least that was my experience.
You see, I have not been living my life with self love. I have been hiding under the stress; I’ve been living a ‘half-life’ at best. I haven’t been taking care of myself and as a result, I do not like what I see. I don’t even recognize myself. (Have you been there too?)
So it was embarrassing for me to show up in my hometown as I am today. Being in an old familiar environment … .where I used to be in good shape and health….somehow created a giant mirror for me to look into.
And it got me thinking….the only thing standing in my way of the life I want to be living is:
ME.
It is in my daily choices that I create my life.
I know I say this all of the time, but clearly I need the reminder, so let’s just remind ourselves again…when you want to change something in your life, you must change the things you do daily.
It is the only solution.
And that made me think of Tom Brady. He said that you don’t have to be the best at something. You just have to be willing to be what most people are not: disciplined, determined, and dedicated.
Now I’ll admit, there have been times when I’ve known I’m not willing to do the work and was ok with it.
And then there are times when outside forces impact you and there’s nothing you can do about it.
After 9/11, my Dad was forced to close up his business. The economy had changed and what had been a thriving business with a promising future, abruptly ended.
There isn’t a week that goes by when my Dad doesn’t murmur, ‘I didn’t think I would ever retire. I thought I’d always go in and see clients.” He saw his future nurturing his business for decades to come.
I’ve learned from him that life has a vote. And I am also aware that my choices today have a big impact on my future. Much more so than my 20 or 30 year old self. As we get older, the impact of our poor decisions becomes much greater because we have less time to correct them.
I also saw my good childhood friends this week at the wedding. It was so great spending time with them. It’s as if time has stood still. We all live busy lives and I live across the country, but none of that matters when we are together.
They all looked so great! They’ve been working out, taking care of themselves, and it really showed. The impact of self love was noticeable.
Boy, that was a punch in my gut. Cue giant mirror once again.
So I’ve been inspired by them and my family to get up off my butt and try. Just TRY.
What have you been putting off? Have you hit your lowest low yet? Are you finally willing to try to do something about it?
If not, that’s ok. Clearly, I’ve been there too.
But not today. Today I’m getting up.
👉 More to come on this…..but if any of you want to join me for accountability, let me know. I can create a group for us to check in and keep us on track.
I do not want to live with regrets. I know that life has a vote and there are things out of my control. But….
I also have a vote.
And I’m casting it now.
I hope this riles you up to join me. I hope that whatever you’ve been putting off will become your goal and focus. Because what we focus on, grows.
By the end of this year, we will have achieved it! And we will look in that giant mirror and smile. Maybe even do a cartwheel. Because we did it. We took Tom’s advice to be disciplined, determined and dedicated to ourselves. And it was worth the work. Because it was making us better….both inside and out. For ourselves, and for everyone around us.
Because people are always watching and learning….and being inspired.
Real self-love isn’t bubble baths or spa days.
It’s showing up for yourself—even when it’s hard.
It’s casting your vote, every day, for the person you’re becoming.
And it’s believing you’re worthy of a better life—even before you see the results.
No matter what your goal is: weight loss, better health, buying a house, changing careers, finding a great partner or just living a better life overall….
Come join me. 6 months. We CAN.
You can Emerge Positive!
Positively,
Deanne
