What does the New Year meant to you?
Life is not fair! We are told that from when we are very young right? Well I remember the first time I was told that. I was 7, my Mother told me I was going to live with my grandparents for a little while. I didn't understand, of course I didn't understand. I was 7. So I was told sometimes life isn't fair. From then on I felt like it was something that came all the time. Like having to share everything with my brother.... life Isn't fair. Like having to go to a new school...life isn't fair.
I would fail a test, or we would get homework over the weekend...they would say well life isn't fair. As you get older the term " life isn't fair " gets worse, like losing your job, a bad breakup, bills that never end, a sucky boss, car breaking down when you have that meeting at work or even worse losing a loved one..so where does it end? Why isn't life fair? If we do everything we are supposed to...why do bad things still happen? Are we taught that life isn't fair to make bad things easier? It never really is "easy." It doesn't get easier. No matter what it is. Happy Thanksgiving All! Thanksgiving to me brings back so many amazing memories, memories of a Large table full of cousins, grandparents, aunts & uncles in a house in Glen Cove, memories of waking up at my grandparents house to the smell of Turkey to find my Mimi in the kitchen watching the thanksgiving parade ( which never really interested me that much, btw) and of course hopping in to help her cook for the feast <--- I really wasn't the greatest of helpers, HAHA ) Now I have new traditions and new memories in the making -Aunt Fran has taken on the wonderful hostess role the last few years and of course she does a wonderful job! We are awful people because later tonight we will be out "black Friday" shopping, its our yearly tradition- and HEY its a great workout after a big meal!
When I was thinking about what I was going to write today, I thought about writing about how we should be grateful for what we have, how what we have extends past our posessions. I thought about listing everything I am grateful for. Then I decided not to. Not because it is a bad message or because it hasn't been on my mind (it has). I decided not to write about that because it's thanksgiving, and who reads another reminder to be grateful at thanksgiving; and really this story is perfect for the other idea I wanted to write about: writing a blog post. In starting this project I was unsure how often I would write, what I would write about, and even if people would read it. I have always kept some kind of journal since I could remember and I have NO problem sharing my life stories with the public! What gets tricky is that you want to write about your own life, the stuff you are dealing with. How is that a problem? What if others are involved? How will they feel about you writing about it, even if you don't use names. So you end up writing about what you have learned about yourself. Writing has forced me to look at myself carefully, and for that I am thankful. So I did end up writing about gratitude after all, oh well. It is thanksgiving after all. Someone asked me the other day how I find time for everything I do. Well the truth is I've always been a busy person. Since I was 17 I had at least 2 jobs plus school and a busy social life ;) If I am not busy - I'm bored, I like to challenge my mind. For a little while I only had one JOB- WHO wants JUST one job, So I had to seek for others. Now I have 5. SURE why NOT... After work at the Hospital I have to fit in some gym time- Lately my new favorite music to listen to is good ole' Metal or Rock, it keeps me going, especially on that treadmill-- I swear I run faster. I'm pretty sure the days that I meet with my Photography Club/class are my favorite days! Now we get to learn Photo shop, share each others work and talk about our next exciting trip together! What more can I ask for?! I look like I am moving out of the house on these days though-3 Full bags with Laptop, Camera, Notebook, pens & of course pocketbook stuff! Of course I fit in time to make dinner- Turkey meatloaf it was, but there was not time to get fancy, just some spice and a mix of BBQ sauce/Ketchup :) Veggies and a Sweet Pot!
It is my FAVORITE day of the week! The day I allow myself to look back on old pictures & compare to present! I have come so far, 45lbs DOWN, 2 pant sizes and MOST importantly NO MORE acid reflux or foot pain EVER! People ask me the infamous question " HOW DO YOU KEEP THE MOTIVATION?" Well I am 28, I've been a YO-YO "Dieter" since I can remember.... I've always struggled with my weight but I just blamed it on my "genes" or being 'big boned" <------ NO that doesn't exist! January 2014 I decided as a New Years Resolution I was going to LOSE those "extra lbs" that somehow snuck up on me! At first I didn't tell anyone so Jeff and I did it together! ( side note, he's so supportive whatever I do-he's right there with me! ) anyway- I searched social media and found some inspiring Instagrams to follow- Started my 10 day cleanse from Advocare right away and lost 10lbs in 10 days! I FELT like a million bucks I wanted more.. I wanted to keep going! I wake up each morning with a Goal in mind & that goal is to be FASTER, STRONGER and Healthier then I was the day before! I set weekly, monthly and yearly goals for myself so I am not in this to " just lose weight. " I want to live a life Ive never lived before!
In September of 1993 a man had taken on the responsibility of 2 young children and a Full time low paying job all by himself. He didn't know what he was going to do... in fact the day he put those 2 kids on the bus for their first day of 3rd grade & Kindergarten he actually had no idea who was going to pick them up from the bus that afternoon since he had to work. He luckily met 3 nice Stay at home moms that all lived on the block and they adored him right away! The 1st year or 2 was a struggle, a lot of emotions for all involved-both children and the father, but he had to do what he had to do and With lots of help of family & neighbors-he made it work "It takes a Village to raise children." There was a roof over their heads and food on their table. They didn't need anything more then love and that is exactly what they got; 15 years they grew in that house and because of that man never giving up and doing what he had to do-he taught his children the best lesson ever- no matter what the circumstances were, YOU don't use that as an excuse for YOUR LIFE, you can take what happens to you and LEARN & GROW from it or you can take what happens to you and give yourself the excuse to not grow and hate the world. Everyone has a story-its how you handle what gets thrown at you what counts. He could have thrown in the towel, and given up, but he didn't! His children can never thank him enough!! You only have ONE life, make it a great one no matter what!!
What was that one defying moment in life that something needed to change?.
For me I've had a lot of moments like that In life, but nothing compares to the way I felt on that morning. Dec 26th 2013 changed my life. It was Christmas morning and of course I couldn't wait to take a picture with my dad and brother with my new beautiful camera- it was that morning I looked at the picture and immediately felt every thing in my body go numb- I couldn't believe that person was me. I quickly went to the bathroom as we were hurrying out the door and let out a cry, a cry like I've never cried before. The scale read 250 that morning. As the tears ran down my face that morning I knew something needed to change. I cleaned myself up and ran outside. I put on a smile and tried to enjoy the rest of my day. Never again will I feel that way I felt that morning. |