Perfectly Imperfect

"Catch yourself when you fall into the trap of insisting that things be better - or that you look better, or do better, or that others act differently - before you allow yourself to be happy."

I read this quote today and thought of the struggles that several people in my inner circle are experiencing as the holiday season approaches. I'm not sure if it's just the holidays; however it sure seems like what is suppose to be a glorious time with friends and family evolves into moments of self-judgment and wishing "we" were feeling or looking differently.

Last night I sat on the couch eating my second piece of cake and watching a chick flick. Okay, so maybe just one piece would have been suffice but it was so good! I did chuckle at one point and thought, " I would have never been able to do this without guilt last year."

That's it! I have no guilt these days about what goes in my mouth or if I missed a workout or if I had too many glasses of wine. I have reached this place in my heart and soul where I understand that I am a beautiful person inside and out without a six-pack and 6 intense workouts under my belt.

How? Not sure really how this evolved; however I know it started when I couldn't workout due to injuries. What would have been a tumultuous time in my life turned into discovering my inner strengths and finally understanding that fitness is less what your body looks like and more about what your body can do.

So take a moment today and write down the things your body can do! Everything...even the little things you take for granted. Yesterday I carried 6 bags in from the car up my driveway and the two flights of stairs. I said, "I am a strong woman."

We are all perfectly imperfect, valuable and precious people no matter what we look like and the size of our pants.