God's truth

In truth God wants us to Flourish. By leading a Flourish life we are following what God wants us to do according to His Scripture. This is a "win, win" situation where we benefit from living our optimum lives....being the best we can be according to our own unique talents, so that we are a bright small reflection of God's goodness. Psalm 23:3 for instance : "He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of his name.". This is a perfect illustration, as the Psalm states "He leads on paths that are right" which equals truth full pure living, which equals following our unique life path, heart and true calling so that we can give God Glory. For me, this means the more I flourish (the more I live optimally in accordance with my own individual giftings and talents: like living super athletically/really fit, truthfully, kind, LOVING, wisely, artisticly) the more I am a good example of an optimal life, Christianity and Joy..... a sort of brightness that gives God glory and helps draw other individuals to Him. Again and again, I realise that in truth a Flourishing life is what we are all meant to work towards, by way of our own individual talents and our best efforts to live optimally, ideally as truthfully as possible......our best lives.....a Flourishing life for God, Jesus and Holy Spirit!

More Incentive and Motivation to keep going:

It never hurts to make a list and look at the reasons why I get up and train each day and how this is contributing to a flourishing life! So here are a few more reasons:

- Every time I get up and train I am contributing to a Flourishing life and giving God glory by the gift of athletics he has given me.

- The day is always better.

- I am always happier, more in control, wiser and calmer....more energy.

- I'm flourishing.

-I'm full filling my destiny to be an athlete every time I train.

- I am builind credibility by way of practicality. Credibility for my job as a Personal Trainer and Motivator, something that simply can't be read in a text book but must be learned by continual training.

-Via credibility....as a happy by-product (do what you love and the rest will follow) I'm making money. Every run, swim or work out contributes to my success in my career and builds my credibility = more clients= more money.

- I'm doing what I'm meant to do. What God designed me to do: Train:)!

Reach for the sky....one step at a time.

Some very good thoughts:)

The more I run the more I want to run.

Iron sharpens Iron.

Once the mind accepts anything the body will respond.

Mind over matter.

Today, again like many training sessions I rolled out of bed completely smashed....feeling exhausted having had a long week and little sleep. I decided not to procrastinate but give an easy run a go, even though a tough tempo was scheduled. Before I knew it I was working my way into one interval, telling myself "just try and see what happens".....completed the first hard 5' and then followed into an easy recovery jog for 1' then back to "just trying and seeing what happens" into the second interval. Giving my self permission to do something easier if my body truly needed it, paired with an open mind to the possibility that in fact I CAN do the scheduled work out, always seems to set me up for success. It is this openness, paired with mercy, that seems to phychologicaly work and, well, being TRUTH FULL with myself. Yes I was legitimately tired, so I bargained with myself initially and gave myself permission to adjust and start with an easy run and see how I felt. Looking later into the run, I was open minded enough to give an interval a try. Then realising that I had energy I was truth fullwith myself to continue on and complete the work out because in truth I could.

flourish

God's message to me

Be true to yourself and your heart and the rest will follow. Being true to myself means: living a highly athletic flourishing life, never compromising my training volume or consistency! Also, projecting this enthusiasm for life and sport to clients, inspiring them and getting them inspired to train.....feeling some of the same feeling that training has brought me.......God's gift of movement. This can and will only be accomplished if I am true to myself: training lots, training hard, living the life of an athlete (this is why I'm good at my job too!)......my true calling.....God's gift to me. Flourish eternally through God, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit.

(also, just a side note, this thought was re-emphasized to me during a tempo run that I didn't think I could do.....shifted my attitude completed the tempo run with style and fortitude.....realized again the importance of attitude and of course as always how VITAL training and being an athlete is to every component of who I am......this is the way GOD created me!!)

Some of the best things in life are hardest earned. Make a commitement. See it through. Enjoy the work, enjoy the movement......feel the joy in your training. Enjoy the journey. You need to know for yourself. Which to choose: Distance Running or Triathlon.......or both?? Just do it. Train. Train and find out. Do what you love to do: Train. Flourish.

To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift" Steve Prefontaine

"Once the mind accepts anything the body will respond"..... good quote from an exceptional marathoner

Why do I train.....

My motivation and dedication to keep moving forward and staying consistent eternally in sport lies in the fact that I have a deep love for training and the knowledge that athleticism is God's gift to me, that I must full fill as vitally important component of a Flourishing life specific to who I am. While others may find motivation in continued wins, success, vanity, social ect.... my motivation lies in a foundationally strong place God and love. God giving me the gift. Love, well loving training. That's passion. That's a timeless strong foundation. Sport is forever in my life, not just a passing phase, but a lifestyle that continues forever.