LIVING WELL: STRENGTH

I always viewed myself as "weak". I was usually the shortest or the smallest. Loved ones, although they were only trying to be helpful, would often grab boxes from my arms, grab the extra grocery bags from the trunk, or do all the furniture moving. ;) I came to a point where I accepted it. I wasn't as strong, I was small, and it was probably better if someone else did the heavy lifting for me. I liked the feeling of being taken care of, so I came to a place where I didn't mind one bit. I also didn't understand what this thinking was really doing to my mindset.

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Fast forward to April 2012, the month I started making big changes in my life. That was the month I decided to put goodness into myself through what I ate and the month I decided to grow in strength. I didn't quite suspect that my journey to becoming a wellness warrior would have more than just physical effects or that it would completely change the way I thought about myself.

It started with confidence. I've always been a confident person. I believe in myself. I like who I am, quirks and all, but I didn't realize that loving my body and taking care of myself would make me feel a new sense of confidence. It made me feel proud of my body and the care and effort I was putting into it. It made me feel happier, (go endorphins, go!) and that confidence and happiness slowly turned into making me feel strong. This feeling of strength wasn't just physical either. I began to start thinking of myself as a strong woman. The care and time I was spending on me, somehow made me realize that I AM strong. Viewing myself as weak and letting someone else move the furniture across the room was only indirectly telling myself that I WAS weak and incapable of being strong or feeling strong mentally.

I've come to a point where I truly believe there is some type of connection between physical and mental strength. I love having a renewed image of myself and having confidence in my strength. Sure I might not be able to realistically pick up a vintage cabinet on my own...nor should I...but the difference is that I don't have to view myself as weak or "accept" weakness as part of my identity.

I believe this thinking has been the greatest mind-shift in my life since April. It's amazing how powerful thoughts can be and how it can hold you back and create an untrue belief of who you are. Whether you are on a journey to wellness or not, I encourage you to stop and think about how you view your strength. Do you view yourself as physically and mentally weak? Maybe it's time to prove yourself wrong.

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." - Gandhi