Triumph Tuesday

You all know my "word" this year is TRIUMPH. I thought it was important to detail exactly HOW I plan on triumphing this year over the things in my life that I pointed out needed help: weight/exercise, negative thoughts, prayer, unemployment, self-worth, and grief. I think it's admirable and all to have these goals, but it's more important that I have a plan to achieve them! I think that's how our best attempts at achieving resolutions goes sour, we don't make a plan on how to actually achieve our goals.

Today I'll focus on weight/exercise. I have decided to find an accountability partner to help me in this area. I have also decided on a motivating "tactic" to help keep me on track. It's a rather unconventional tactic, and I know it won't work for everyone, but I think it will work for me.

Recently, God brought a former friend back into my life. The friendship ended due to the ravages of addiction, hers, not mine. Three years later, God has plopped her right back into my life, front and center. WHHHHHHYYYYY???????????? I'm guessing he wants me to be a light in her life. At least that's the only reason I can think of right now.

She has decided to go through treatment one more time (the first time was 2 years ago). The first time was inpatient, this time she's choosing outpatient. Not a great idea, in my opinion. She knows I don't agree with it, but I'm not her, so it doesn't matter what I think.

To make a long story short, my motivating tactic is remembering what a battle my friend wages with drugs and alcohol everyday. I am expecting her to take care of her body and cut these things out of her life completely. It won't be easy. If I expect her to do this, I will expect myself to do the same in respect to eating right and exercising to keep my body healthy. We are both doing harm to our bodies, overeating is slightly less dangerous, but not really. In some ways, I will be waging the battle with her, side by side. If she has to fight the horrible battle to keep these killers out of her life, I can at least attempt to do the same. I can't imagine the power of this horrible addiction she is facing. It stopped short of completely ruining her life, but she is on the fence. If she doesn't do it this time, she faces sure death. That's the sobering reality of what addiction does to a person. If I have to suffer by eating less and getting my butt to the club more often, I think I can handle that in perspective to what she will surely endure in the months to come.

So there you have it, my unconventional motivating "tactic". I will remember the battle my friend is facing when I find myself whining about working out and instead wanting to eat a bag of M&M's. I mean really, is there a better motivation than the survival of a friend over the temporary fix a bag of M&M's might cure? I don't think so.

This motivating "tactic" got me through a great day yesterday. I watched what I flung into my mouth and I got my butt to the club. It felt great! I have great hopes for both of us! Together we can TRIUMPH, because God says we can!

But enough about me. As a reward for reading through this long post, here's a little eye candy for you. I made it last weekend...isn't this little butterfly adorable?????? YESSSSSS!!!!!

Hugs,
Amy