It all started with Carol Tuttle's book, Redefining Wholeness. When I read this book, I felt beyond connected to it. I loved this book to the point where it's actually in my cart on Amazon to buy a physical copy. If you talk to my husband, he will shake his head in disbelief because I just don't typically buy real copies of books. I read online. So, this book. This book is about energy and angels, and the universe and intentions. It's about this and so much more. It set a life stage for me that I'm in awe of, and striving to live to the fullest. It gave me answers to questions that my learnings with mentors opened doors to and partially answered but I was craving more. I can't even begin to explain what stirred in me with this book, but a ton of stuff did, and it's all good. I guess if you told me I had to pick one thing I learned from this book, it would be that I am able to heal things from past generations and for the good of future generations. By changing MY path, I change the paths of others. I've understood this, but never the actual nuts and bolts of it, until now. She also reiterated what my mentor Melody Ross always tells me. "The past is just stories. It only has power over you if you give it power. The things that happened? They happened, acknowledge them with love, and move forward. Don't stay with them." This is SO freaking huge, it really is. If you absorb nothing else from this blog post, please absorb those 4 sentences!
Then, as I was in the last bits of this book, I read a list of recommended books for new Beachbody coaches (that's me!), and found Jen Sincero's book, You Are a Badass. Unlikely title, right? Yea, well. Something clicked with me and I followed through and listened to it. Right on the tail of Carol Tuttle's book, I could not have picked a better book. This book follows on beautifully, with affirmations, lessons on setting intentions, ideas for why you might be "stuck" or not quite "with the program" sometimes, and tells you to get out there and do it. If you want it, tell the universe and make it happen. Yup. I was supposed to read it. Walk the talk. Again, if I had to pick one thing I learned from this book, it would be that positive affirmations are more than just phrases that lift us up. Positive affirmations are tools we can use to converse with the universe and heal ourselves, the past, and the future. When we set intentions, the universe hears those intentions, good or bad, and makes them happen. For instance, for me, if you read my blog, and go back, you'll see that I commonly call out pushups and say "I can't do pushups yet." Well, on the surface, that sounds like I'm working toward doing pushups, but really, the universe is hearing "I can't do pushups." Instead, I need to change that message to "I can do pushups to the best of my ability and I'm getting better at them with every one that I do." Do you see the subtle difference? It's amazing. Intentions need to be well thought out and specific. What we want, we attain. Wow.
I'm now reading a book that is completely different from these two, but entirely on topic. I'm reading a book by Charles Duhigg, "The Power of Habit." This book is a slower read than the other two, but it's full of amazing information! With Beachbody, I workout 6-7 days a week. 2 of the workouts, on a 7 day cycle are "recovery" workouts. This means they stretch your muscles and are actually rather relaxing, rather than being cardio or strength workouts. It's a good thing, and those are important days, which are sometimes tempting to skip. This book explains the WHY of habits. How we make them, how we break them, how our brains actually treat habits versus memories. I'm stunned by all the information I'm soaking up from this book, and am finding it extremely useful on my journey. I originally set a weight loss goal and have worked to reach it. I had someone tell me I should adjust it into smaller "bites" so that I would have small successes along the way. That didn't resonate with me, but I thought it was worth a try. Now, in the midst of this book, and after reading the other two books, I'm setting a more specific intention that reflects where I want my final weight loss destination. I'm also envisioning how it will happen. The when? I'm not so concerned with that, I just want to keep moving forward, and I will.
I guess this has gotten kind of long. I have a lot to say lately, which is funny after my blog being quiet for so long. Thanks for sticking around and thanks for reading!
-Have a beautiful day!
