In an effort to be totally authentic with all of you, I thought I would start a Thursday post called “Thursday’s Thoughts.” I can’t promise this will be a weekly post but I will do my best 🙂 I warn you ahead of time – this post will probably have nothing to do with couponing, freebies, frugality or saving money. So, if you only come to my site for those things, feel free to pass by this post and I promise my feelings will not be hurt! 🙂
Perseverance. Dictionary.com has the definition of perseverance as steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
For me, I’m a huge goal person. If I don’t give myself goals I have a hard time staying on track and keeping focused. In the past, I’ve given myself goals – often very tough goals to reach – and I’ve found that with time and lots of work, I have been able to reach them.
If you have met me in the past couple of years, you would know me as a runner. However, if you met me four years ago, I was not athletic, I was 4-6 sizes larger and I had a difficult time going up a flight of stairs without getting winded. (And no, I will not post a “before” picture of myself ;)) Four years ago I realized that my life was spiraling downward. Not because of the pounds I weighed. But because I wasn’t driven to succeed or meet any goals at all. I was barely surviving each day, going to bed, barely surviving the next day, and on and on. It was depressing actually.
At some point, I learned about the Susan G Komen 3 Day Walk. It is a walk for breast cancer where you raise money and then walk 60 miles in 3 days. I persuaded my mom to join me and together we trained and raised the funds for our journey. The first training walk I went on was about 3 miles. Remember, I couldn’t go up a flight of stairs without getting winded. My husband went with me and he now tells me that he wasn’t sure how I would be able to complete the 60 miles since the first 3 mile walk was such a challenge. But, with a lot of time and hard work and walking 5-6 days a week over 6+ months, both my mom and I were able to complete the 60 miles and we had an absolute blast. We did leave with numerous blisters and this bizarre road rash on our legs. But we completed our goal.
This was the first goal I had given myself in a long time. And when I realized that I was actually able to reach it, I felt so empowered. Immediately after completing the 3 Day Walk, I decided to try to run a marathon. (I had not run one mile for at least 8 years when I made this decision.) I figured that if I could stay on my feet for 60 miles of walking, I could stay on my feet for 26.2 miles of a marathon. So October of 2008 I started training for my first full marathon using Hal Higdon’s Novice Training plan. In November of ’08 I ran my first 10k which is 6.2 miles, January of ’09 I ran my first half marathon and then in March ’09 I completed my first full. Completing my first marathon was by far one of the best moments of my life. Since then, I’ve continued running and I am actually in the midst of training for the Disney Marathon this January.
I say all this not to brag about my accomplishments. If anything, I wish you could have known me before. The old me. Life was really hard for me due to circumstances in my life. And I let those circumstances run my life and also control my outlook on life. If I had given my trials to God, if I had fully relied on Him, maybe my life wouldn’t have spiraled the way it did. It took a drastic change in my life and it took hard work – sometimes ridiculously hard work – to get me on the path to health and ultimately contentment. (I can’t honestly say that I am always content, but I am always striving for contentment.) And, I realize now that as I run, each step is truly a gift. I know that not everyone is physically capable of running down the street, let alone mile after mile. So when I’m running and starting to feel achy or when I’m leaving my house at 5:30 am for a run and I’m just plain tired as I am not a morning person, I remind myself to thank God for the ability to take one step after the other. This pulls me out of “me mode” where I focus on my circumstances and forces me to be thankful for each step and opportunity I have been given.
So I guess my challenge to you is to give yourself some sort of goal. Don’t get discouraged when you don’t meet it right away. In fact, allow yourself to fail. But keep your eyes on the prize so that you remember where you want to be. And be encouraged. Your circumstances right now may seem dire – I have been there. I promise, however, that someday, you will look back and be able to see that maybe your trials were not in vain. Maybe the purpose of your trials are to push you to be a different person or to learn new lessons or to remind you to give your burdens to God. That’s what happened to me at least. For me, the light is the finish line in races – completing a race is both a prize as it shows me where I am today but it is also a reminder of how far I have come. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I promise. Persevere through your challenges and someday, you will be able to look back and see how far you have come.
Phillippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Thanks for coming to Addicted to Saving! Here’s a little bit about me so you can know who’s behind all these posts!
My name is Liza and I began my money-saving journey in the Spring of 2009 as a way to stretch a limited household income. I had lost my job and my hubby was self-employed. I launched Addicted to Saving in November of 2009 and it has grown by leaps and bounds. Since then, my hubby and I have struggled with the ups and downs of two failed adoptions and are now LOVING being parents to our little man Asher who we brought home from Ethiopia in August of 2013. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to help you save money. My goal is that you will have FUN and become empowered to save more and more money each week..
Amen, sister!
Soo happy for your accomplishments!! Keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing your story and that is one of my favorite scriptures.
Wow it is so encouraging. you looked so bright and I never imagined. Thank you for sharing.
Just so you know, you touched a soul who REALLY needed to hear this message today, God Bless you!
You have never written a better post! Thanks for sharing.
Aww – great post! And really, I think you should share a before pic:) Seriously though, thanks for sharing – great thoughts and a good reminder.
Tears are streaming down my face, thank you for your post. I really needed that today, and since i am starting a new journey as of right now ( I finally have received a blessing from God, a job offer 🙂 ) I am going to get out of this slump I am in. It’s my goal! I used to be an avid walker (walk 7 or 8 miles a day, and 8 sizes smaller) but i too let the world get to me and I let the circumstances drive me. And bring me down so far I never thought I would come back up. But I started setting goals for myself (tough ones about 2 months ago pertaining to getting a job and caring about myself again) I need to drive the circumstances. Thank you for your words Liza, you have no idea how they hit home….. now that I will have some money coming in (and still saving a bundle through your site) I might see you at some marathons 🙂 I am so blessed I found your site almost a year ago right after I lost my last job.
I enjoyed reading about your journey. And I was so very pleased to see you give all the glory and honor to God. He is truly awesome.
So glad to hear your story. And I was thinking when I saw the pic, “she is a tiny little thing”……thank you for giving all the glory to God. He is faithful and worthy of your praise. “…….but with God, all things are possible”. Matt 19:26
And to add to your perfect verse, from Phil 4:11-13 ” Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
I loved your verse, and I wanted to add to it from Philipians 4:
Thank You so much for sharing your story & I love the Thursday’s Thoughts! The verse I recite often is also Phil 4:13, and I believe that you are a blessing that has shown me the way to survive through economic struggles. I am happy that you addressed our emotional struggle, not just in our wallets.
I just completed a Komen 5K in FLIP FLOPS. One week before the Race I dropped a radio on my foot & smashed my big toe black & blue. I still can’t really wear shoes, but I had started a team this year and had to attempt to walk. We all finished! What a great feeling! Keep sharing your Thoughts when you can please!
Wow, Liza! You are so inspiring. Keep up the good work!!
Thank you for the words of encouragement. I keep telling myself that I am going to start tomorrow and never do anything. I hate being overweight or looking in the mirror. I have chaned a lot on the inside and am ready to take the step to feel healthier. You are so great for all you do for us.
You have no idea how much you have just inspired me! It is crazy how God places people in your life to tell you what you need to hear exactly when you need to hear it. Thank you for the hard work that you put into helping people everyday.
I really enjoyed reading this…thanks for sharing & thanks for all of the valuable information you provide us with 🙂
Awesome! Thank you for sharing this it is inspiring!
YEY running and YEY coupons! Both make our lives better!!
I started running 2 years ago and am training for my first full marathon at the space coast marathon in November…WOW your words came at the right time, doing my first 21 miler tomorrow! fingers crossed!!! I passed your post along to my running buddy and she loved it too!
AN ENDLESS THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSPIRING WORDS 🙂
Well, I always come to your site I was curious about what you had to say and read on. Wow, sometimes I feel sorry for myself, particularly during the holidays. Your post was inspiring. Thanks for sharing.