I am training for my second half marathon that I'll be running with my sister and mother on May 9th (it's so close!). As I run I always think to myself about life and reflect on it. I try to use this time as "Me time" to work through whatever I'm struggling with personally. Yesterday as I was running on my lunch break (yes only time during the week I can run, sorry to coworkers if I'm sweaty and stinky lol) I started thinking about how life isn't a sprint to the finish line, it's a long slow marathon where you have ups and downs, moments of strength and weakness, and times that you think you want to quit, but you don't because you know if you keep pushing through you'll reach that goal that you've been working your butt off for. Through life you have these moments, A LOT OF THEM! You face moments of weakness where you want to give up and throw in the towel and say I don't want to do it anymore, but you don't, because you know just around that corner and over that final hill you will see the finish line within your grasp. So why give up when you know that you can push through that burning in your legs to reach that finish line you've been busting your ass off to get to.
Over the years I've had SO MANY doors slam in my face and so many times that I thought, why is this happening to me. I've wanted to give up. I've cried. I've had moments where I said is this all really worth it? I know it is though, because I know in the end where all this hard work, sleepless nights, and sweat and tears will get me. I'll share with you a little bit...When I went to undergraduate school at UMass Amherst I got my Bachelors Degree in English. I had thought of applying to the School of Education because I've always known I've wanted to be a teacher. I decided however to not apply and just graduate with my degree and go on to finish my certification later. The reason I didn't apply to the school is because I was afraid of Failing. I didn't want to be that girl in my Sorority house that didn't get accepted. There were many other girls that were applying to the same program and I was afraid of being that 1 girl that didn't get accepted and being a failure and be embarassed. So I just didn't do it. After graduation I went on to be an Early Childhood Teacher for 9 years before getting up the courage to apply to graduate school and finish my certification. Now through out those 9 years I've learned a lot and had experiences that have definitely taught me a lot about being a teacher. Every experience you have is one to learn and grow from. The point is, I didn't go for my dreams because I was too afraid of failure. I didn't even want to try, I just took the easy way out. So many people do this, and then they never find their true potential because you are too afraid of what others might think of you. But WHY?!?! Why are you basing YOUR life on what others will think about you when in the end you're only hurting yourself and YOUR dreams.
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| Believe in yourself, you're your biggest Fan! |
Fast forward now to today. I applied and 3 1/2 years ago I was accepted to the Masters program at Southern New Hampshire University for Elementary Education and Special Education and I just finished my LAST course for the program. I'm going to be student teaching in the Fall. I set all my fears aside and went for it and I'm graduating with High Honors as a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. A dream I've always had to be a National Honor Society student, and I did it in GRAD SCHOOL as a mother of 2 young boys working full time and running a part time health coaching business! A lot harder this time around than when I was a young 20 something Undergraduate student. I just had to believe in myself and know that I can do anything I set my mind to. I've failed so many times. I've had doors shut in my face when I've applied for public school teaching jobs as an assistant or aide. I've taken the state tests and had to take them again, and again, and again because I've missed passing by only 1 to 3 points (yes that was frustrating). But, I've not given up. I've kept pushing along when I've just wanted to quit again. I know that in the end I'm going to make it over that final hill and I'm going to see that finish line in the distance and I'm going to cross it. I'm going to reach my goals and my dreams. I'm going to look back and know that all the sleepless nights of studying and homework and endless hours that I've put in is going to pay off. I look at my husband and my children and know that there is a better life for us. I know God has a plan for our future, and I can feel it, I just have to believe in him that what I'm doing is right. A future where I'm going to have time home with my kids and be able to not stress about what to do with them on vacations. I'm going to have more time to focus on my health coaching business to help others start living a healthier life, which is a true passion of mine. We all face struggles. We all feel at times that what we're doing isn't worth it because we don't see the results quick enough. But it is worth it. Every single little thing you do each day culminates into the end result. It ALL MATTERS! You just need to think of why you started. What was your reason for taking that first step, and don't forget that. You will get there. It's not going to happen in the blink of an eye. You're not going to lose 10 pounds in one day. You're not going to earn that degree over night. You're not going to make a million dollars in a year, BUT if you keep pushing forward every day. You keep growing personally. You learn from each experience good or bad. You will grow. You will make a change. You will eventually see that all your hard work is 100% worth it and you'll be successful in whatever it is you dream of. Don't give up! Don't quit! Don't walk off of that road. Focus on that finish line, hold it in your sights, and keep pushing through that burning feeling. Dig Deep, Hold on, and enjoy the ride. Because you will get there, I PROMISE!!!
Much Love,
Chrissy <3
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