So Many Reasons

Welcome to November everyone... it's so hard to believe that a year ago, I was interning in Clintonville, attending classes at Ohio State, working at Meijer and living at home. Now I sit here in Miami, a totally different world, same me with different opportunities.

I have grown so much in the past year, and I want to take this post to express how grateful I am that I have made it so far back to my normal demeanor. November is a month often associated with the big turkey day, or Thanksgiving... and while it's great that we are so thankful this month, it's important to remember to be thankful every single day that we have the opportunity to wake into.

It's been a long road, but I have risen back up from the rut I dug myself into. I feel light, I feel free. I have embraced spirituality again and the beauty of just being. I am choosing love instead of fear... and trying to make myself vulnerable to gain more strength. I am so thankful that I can look back and say, "I made it through that... and I'll make it through whatever else comes my way."

Working with urban middle-school-ers has been an incredible experience... We often spend so much time worrying about "me me me" that we don't even think about the battles that most of these kids have to face. There are days when I think my days are too long, the pay is too stingy... but those kids are the reason I stick it out. To see their faces light up when you give them a hug, the confidence they ooze when they understand a new math concept, or the way they laugh when they're telling you a story... means the world. It means they get to lighten their burden. I am thankful that I get to be there with them, to help them through each day & begin to aid them in furthering their education.

I am thankful that I can pick up my phone and call my family and friends. This move has been challenging, but I love knowing that I have that resource. I can't imagine what it would have been like to leave a country on a boat, or travel long distances not knowing when the next meeting would be. How incredible is it that we can instantaneously send a text message and get that affirmation.

While my blog to this point has been primarily focused on fitness, I ultimately want it to speak of WELLNESS. To be well, we must remember to be thankful. Every single day is a gift and I am beyond grateful for that.