I am Proud that i'm not who i used to be

​This weekend, I am going to tackle the 23-mile Georgia Jewel. I'd originally signed up to run the 50 miler. So in many ways, I won't be where I want to be.

But that won't be my focus.

This weekend, I'll spend my time being proud that I'm not where I used to be.

Seven years ago, it would have been ludicrous for anyone to suggest I'd ever in my life run 23 miles through the mountains of Georgia. I didn't have the physical, mental or emotional strength necessary to even imagine such a run - let alone drive 8 hours to take it on.

I'll also spend some time reminding myself that my big picture life isn't where it used to be either.

I think life - left to its own devices - always leans in the direction of reminding us we are not who we want to be. Like, it seems to sense when we get to feeling good or confident about a direction, because with perfect timing that's when life appears out of nowhere with the reminder: you're not as good as you could be.

You're nowhere near as good as you WANT to be.....

That's when we have to fight back. We have to take over the narrative that life is trying to yell over us with. That's when we need to tell life - you're right, I'm not where I want to be, but I'm also not where I used to be.

We need to say it out loud for ourselves and for life that we are making progress. We need to say it as a way of reminding ourselves that is what life is all about - a work in progress.

Life doesn't often show up to make sure we know we're making progress. Life - most days - feels like it's set up to limit our progress. That's why life and progress often feels like a fight.

Which is why we need to remind ourselves we ARE fighting. And we ARE winning. No, we aren't standing in the ring with the referee holding our hand in the air - the new heavyweight champion of the world.

But we aren't laying on the mat with that referee counting us out either.

So today, if you get to beating yourself up because you aren't where you want to be. Pause. Take a breath. Own it. But then quickly remind yourself you're also not where you used to be.

And be proud of that...

You are winning.