In my own way

Monday when I went running, I noticed that I didn't do too much better than I normally was doing. I realized this as I was running. I also noticed as I was running I was thinking, "Come on, just a little farther. This hurts, when is my timer done? Can I just start walking now?" Then I mentally froze. I was brought back to when my mom was talking about self talk, about how important it was to build yourself up, especially while working out. I determined I was going to do better. I started thinking, "Woo! I'm doing awesome! This feels amazing! I CAN do this!" And it worked. I was able to somehow speed up and go faster. I felt better while doing it. I reached the three mile mark and felt pretty good. 

On Wednesday I was looking forward to running all day. I started my warm up with a spring in my step. I couldn't wait to start running! As soon as the timer said to start running, I just flew. It was hard (the first mile is always hard) but as I pushed past that first mile, I started to fly. I don't run, I fly. I kept running and running. The timer went off to start walking, and I was genuinely sad. I wanted to keep going. The three minutes were up and I started to run again. That bad self talk started to creep in again. I started to slow, then I was done with negativity. I was done with being negative all the time. I was done with this cloud of depression and unhappiness I was in. So I pushed. I ran like I never ran before. I was going faster than I had ever gone, and I wasn't tiring. I was flying again. My times were 13 minutes for my first mile, 10:30 for my second mile, 8:52 for my third mile, and a roughly 16 minute cool down. I have never had such an amazing time. The time intervals were roughly 8 minutes walking, 10 minutes running, 3 minutes walking, 10 minutes running, and a 12 minute cool down.

We have to believe in ourselves and have faith. I was standing in my own way of going faster. We are the ones who determine where we go and how well we do in this life and the next. We are the ones who determine how much or how little we feel the Spirit. It is all up to us. I testify that if we determine to make the right choices, we strive to do better every day, and believe in ourselves and God's plan for us, we will do and achieve all He has planned for us. I close in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.