{"id":215,"date":"2012-08-16T20:33:57","date_gmt":"2012-08-16T20:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/onfire\/?p=215"},"modified":"2012-08-16T20:33:57","modified_gmt":"2012-08-16T20:33:57","slug":"a-small-but-critical-turn-around","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/onfire\/2012\/08\/16\/a-small-but-critical-turn-around\/","title":{"rendered":"A small but critical Turn Around"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I was slightly depressed and didn\u2019t feel like working out at the YMCA.<\/p>\n

However, I knew I was on a roll with exercise and needed to keep up my routine. I had a goal of losing 10 pounds. Down by three, I was starting to feel good\u2014strong, fit, more lean. I couldn\u2019t choke now.<\/p>\n

I drove to the gym and walked up to the door. But didn\u2019t go in. I was too depleted\u2014emotionally, spiritually and physically.<\/p>\n

I shuffled back to my car.<\/p>\n

While driving home I decided I\u2019d walk up the large hill near my house. The climb was not as intense as working out at the Y, but it was some <\/em>exercise.<\/p>\n

I climbed, putting one leaden foot in front of the other. And began shaming myself:<\/p>\n

Why can\u2019t I ever keep up an exercise routine?\u00a0 Any routine, as far as that goes?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Why can\u2019t I lose weight\u2014ever?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0When am I ever going to get disciplined and win this battle?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Then, I stopped. I don\u2019t know what restrained me but I stopped shaming myself. Instead, I said inwardly:<\/p>\n

You\u2019re doing OK.\u00a0 Good, even.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Look, you are walking up a big hill on a day when you don\u2019t feel like it at all. That\u2019s commendable.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0You are hanging in there.\u00a0 You aren\u2019t giving up. Bravo. The truth is, you are doing really, really well.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Where this new, encouraging voice came from, I don\u2019t know. But it came.<\/p>\n

Tears of relief also came and washed away the heaviness. I felt renewed, lighter. My world seemed a little brighter.<\/p>\n

I made it to the top of the hill and started back down.<\/p>\n

Maybe I could just get in the pool at the Y.\u00a0 Kicking around in there is great cardio.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0– – – – –<\/em><\/p>\n

Later I mull over this turnaround and the lessons it taught me:<\/p>\n

1. Shame as a motivational tool doesn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n

2. I need Grace. Second and third and one-hundred-and-third chances. So do others.<\/p>\n

3. Gentle affirmation clears the way for hope.<\/p>\n

4. Hope births the courage to begin again.<\/p>\n

– – – – –<\/p>\n

Dear Reader,<\/p>\n

Beginning again is an important topic for me. Here are two additional blog posts I\u2019ve written at important crossroads:<\/p>\n

\u00a0The Art of Beginning Again<\/a> (Beliefnet blog post)<\/p>\n

Beginning Again <\/a>(my personal blog)<\/p>\n

– – – – –<\/p>\n

Also, this is a new Beliefnet blog. I need your help to make it a success. Would you subscribe (see bar above on the right) plus share this post with a friend who may enjoy it? Also, I appreciate your comments.\u00a0 Thank you, Gloria <\/em><\/p>\n

Gloria@gloriarose.com<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

@gloriabethrose<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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