Wherever You Go, Life Happens
Denise's Journey...Vice Busting was her approach; I am so proud of her! She sent me this email today and I had to share it with you!
I want to share an interesting and very cool thing that happen to me last night at the Super Wal-Mart! I am checking out my over $100.00 in groceries and suddenly the lady behind me in line squeals in delight and says loudly, "Oh my goodness--YOU are the running lady!"
The woman was so excited about her revelation that the store worker actually stops scanning my groceries and looks between me and this kind, normal weight, 40 something year old lady. I turned a little embarrassed toward her and shared that I am a runner--and I am looking at her trying to figure out if I know her but I have no recollection of ever meeting her. She blurts out "You don't know me, but you have been running the hills of my neighborhood for years. She starts describing where she lives, the street, the house, and her barking dog in the fenced in yard etc. I smile knowing exactly what house "my neighbor" lives in, but still a bit bewilder why she is really excited to be standing in line next to me. She then steps around her cart that she was unloading and turns swirling around all smiles. She stops and reaches forward for my hand and said: "Thank you so much for be a die hard runner. I have to admit that I watched you for years from my living room window amazed at you running the hills - rarely missing a day. I even started looking for you to be coming by and I notice you went from be a big person to being small! (Love the part where she refers to me as "small.")
After two years of watching YOU, one day I really took stock of ME. I owned up to the fact I was 50 pounds overweight and certainly convinced myself that going up and down steps all day and chasing after my three kids was all the exercise I needed, and I did not worry about what I ate all day. I truth was I was overweight and plain tired. But then knowing that regardless of the summer heat, the spring rain, and or winter storms, most days I can look out and see you coming up that hill so focused on getting to the top. I knew I wanted to be out there on the hill and not have this extra 50 pounds.
She proceeded to tell me that she too started walking the hill and started changing what she was eating. She reported that it took two years but she lost the 50 pounds and she faithfully walks a couple miles four times a week. She told me I have inspired her to do all that and she always has meant to come out one day and meet me, but it just seemed to embarrassing and she reported she is shy in meeting new people. This lady was bubbling with excitement, full of energy, and slim looking, and you should have seen all the fruits, veggies, and healthy things in her cart. I asked her what her name is, and she said "Tara"." Then I told her--"YOU are one INCREDIBLE lady, Tara, to prioritize your health and fitness with such a busy life and to have achieved amazing results is a testament to YOU, and I believe you are an unstoppable person in whatever you do. Thank you for sharing your story with me and letting me know that I played a small part in you getting healthier!! And next time, just give a shout out to me.I love meeting new people." About this time I realize that not only has my cashier stopped working, but the lane next to us - as they all were paying attention to the drama in our lane - and then a marvelous thing happened, they all clapped and cheered for Tara and I. The cashier proceeded to ring up my order, I paid for my groceries, and then said with a smile, "see you around!" to my new neighbor and friend.
When I got to my car, I tucked the groceries in back and then got in the driver's seat and cried. I was so touched that my "actions" - influenced someone else to choose to be healthier. You see, this is the Hill. This is hill number one that is 3/4 of a mile straight up, the very hill that I was determined to walk (and eventual run) when I was most depressed, broken inside from the divorcée I was going through, and had so much emotional and spiritual pain - I needed to feel physical exhaustion to take my mind off my suffering. This is the very hill that as I started up and I would talk to God, questioning Him: "Why am I alive? Heaven sounded so peaceful. And even thought that I just had too much pain in me and I even believed that the world would better off without 300+ pound me around." This is the hill that I learned to let go of negativity and rather seek positive and affirming thoughts for myself. This is the hill that I learned to forgive myself for my shortcomings and eventually my husband and began a healing process. This is the hill that I started thinking of adventures and goals in life that would make me happy. This is the hill that I started to first pray for myself and others. This is the hill that I first tried jogging on and one day amazed myself when I ran 3/4 of a mile down hill. This is the hill that on the way down I would find something in my life to be thankful for, and tell God "Thank you." Of course, I eventually added more hills, and different routes, but this kind lady was a witness to me and the Hill. I had no idea anyone was watching, but now I am humbled to know that a lovely incredible woman, who is a mother of three, lives in a gray house, has a black lab dog, and is healthier and happier because of the small part I played in "taking the Hill."
See, the Hill not only served to give me my daily cardio work out, but became a symbol of my ability to dig deep into my inner strength - to be stronger then I thought I was and rise above. To believe in myself when others did not. And this in turn gave me more hope then I ever imagine possible, even at a desperate, lonely, and sad time in my life. It is about our ability to conquer adversity and challenges that we face in our busy imperfect lives and the daily choice to invest in our own health and happiness--whatever that may mean for you. I am 150 pounds lighter today and have keep all the weight of for five years. I still run those hills and I love helping others reach their dreams.
We are all destined to live a purpose driven life. We all influence others whether we know it or not. I ask you though, what kind of message do you send to others? Do you inspire others with your actions? Do you uplift someone with your actions? Do you under-estimate the gift you are to others? YOU can CHANGE today if need be. Because the real essence and magic of this story is about the influence that one stranger had on another. Just think of the IMPACT of your daily actions on your children, friends and families. Choose healthier actions today because you are a role model to others. Choose healthier actions today because you DESERVE health and happiness. Choose healthier actions today because life is all about the connections we make within ourselves and then with others. God indeed has a plan for each of us and living the authentic, joyful, deliriously happy life you were meant to is a gift to yourself, others and God.
Be courageous enough to change you bad habits. Be happy. Be healthy.
Now I am off to go run the hills!
Denise
I am very proud of Denise and her accomplishments and thrilled that my advice and program helped her make such amazing changes in her life, and in the lives of others.
...Julia