Kerri On Down The Road

Can you think back to the first time you worked out or went to a gym?  For most of us it was an uncomfortable, confusing and potentially unsatisfying experience filled with moments of "why am I here?" and "what the heck do I do now that I am here???" Starting anything new is often uncomfortable, no matter how much we may realize that it is a change that we need in our lives, or is something that will help us to achieve an important goal or milestone. I used to end my workouts with a congratulatory cup of coffee and cigarette and feel pretty darned accomplished that I'd worked out.  Then would go home and eat some version of what my latest starvation diet consisted of, and call it a day.  Despite the many things I was doing that weren't quite on track, the basic habit of moving and getting stronger was born.  From there I eventually quit smoking, learned that food wasn't all bad and also started to learn about eating to be strong and healthy.  (Note, I ...

I managed to do several reps of a very difficult exercise yesterday.  One I find daunting, as keeping good form is so key to success.  No, it wasn't chin ups, squats or dead lifts.  It is much harder than those and much more rewarding.  This exercise won't make me look better in a pair of jeans, but will improve my posture as I will walk with my head held higher and my heart feeling lighter. My exercise? Reframing  I reframed a situation and put a stop to the stories that I had been telling myself. Full disclosure - I have started to dip a toe into the online dating scene.  I felt that although I do hold out hope for a happenstance meeting on the streetcar or at a coffee shop, it is likely not going to happen that way.  So I decided to try going online and see what happens.  Through that I matched with someone and so far have enjoyed a couple of really comfortable message exchanges, with an in-person meeting (yes, a DATE) in the coming days....

I think the biggest hurdle and roadblock that we often face is ourselves.  We stand in our own way much more often than anyone or anything else does or will.  Part of this is a protective reaction  - the last thing that most of us ever want to do is experience that feeling of discomfort that comes with pushing our edges and leaning against what we have defined as our comfort zone.  Lots of good things happen within our comfort zone without having to break too much of a sweat or put ourselves in a position of vulnerability.  But so much more can happen as you push and lean against those boundaries.  And as you do so, you will start to realize that those moments of discomfort will fade and suddenly where you once felt uncomfortable, starts to feel a bit less scary.  A bit less out of our control.  As children we are constantly pushing against this comfort zone as we learn how to move from crawling to walking to running to climbing trees and hurtling...

It occurred to me the other day that we often don't do this enough.  Take that step back from our lives, change the focus a bit to take in the bigger picture.  If we stay too close to the daily happenings and events of our days, we lose perspective around our lives as a whole, and what is unfolding ahead of us. I think that if we took the mindset of a painter, working on a masterpiece, taking that step back from the canvas every now and then is crucial.  It is that step back, that pause, that allows us to really take in and admire our triumphs and better evaluate those moments that feel like setbacks with a bit more clarity.  If we can change our thinking on those "setbacks" and start to see them as experiments with colour that didn't quite fit the picture, I think that we would be better able to pivot and move forward.  Instead of feeling frustration or disappointment in those colour choices, take it as an  opportunity to clean your brush, and choose a ne...

I can honestly say that if someone had told me at ANY point in my life that I would be sitting here, in the darkened living room of an apartment writing what I hope to be the first of many blog posts, I would have just shook my head and laughed.  And yet, here I am, doing just that.  And what is even harder to believe is that I couldn't imagine NOT being here and doing this now.  It is the start of the second half of 2019, and when I reflect on the first six months, taking inventory of distance traveled, insight gained, and all that has taken place I am truly amazed and inspired to see what the next six months will hold. My intention for this blog is simply to share insights and thoughts that I have and experiences that occur in the hopes that somewhere in all of this you might find some words that will help guide you on your path and on your journey.  We may not be heading in the same direction exactly, or coming from the same starting place, but as fellow trave...