Day 10 Of My 10-Day Challenge – Sweet Success

"Do or do not. There is no try." Yoda

December 1, 2019 ~ Day 10

Ahh the sweet smell of success! I am sitting here processing my emotions as well as the lessons learned on this adventure. Success means different things to different people. For me, staying the course and sticking to my commitment is a success. Never once in these ten days did I waver from the parameters I had set for myself. Was I tempted? Oh yes! One of the hardest challenges for me was having the discipline to adhere to the rule of no nighttime eating. This may not sound huge to you but here’s the deal. I live alone. I have been used to having a presence with me in the form of two very active cats for the last 19 years. I lost them both this year, one very recently. My house is now very quiet and it is strikingly evident that it is only me physically here. I’m not lonely but am more aware of how I am spending my time. Whenever I watched a movie or read a book, I had developed a bad habit of munching on popcorn, fruit or chips and dip, whatever was available. Now that I have committed to a definite stopping time for eating, I feel so much better in the mornings when I wake up.

I want to speak about the support I have received along this journey. I am a very independent person. My motto for years has been “if it’s meant to be, it’s up to me.” That proved to be the case for years and I fully believed that I had to be the one doing it all, all the time. This took root in my relationships and was very destructive. With having so much support behind me, people cheering me on, private messages of encouragement, I have made the decision to let that belief go. It no longer fits. The success of this 10-day challenge was not done alone. You have all been with me every step of the way, so congratulations to us all for completing this challenge!

Here are some takeaways from this journey:

1. I am enough.

2. I am loved.

3. I can accomplish anything I choose to take on.

4. I really like me.

5. I enjoy meditation time and staying in the Now, being present, has brought wonderful insights.

6. I need the discipline of setting parameters with food. I don’t have to like it but I do need it.

7. I am blessed to have people in my life who care and want the best for me.

8. Silence really is golden.

9. When making a major change, it is important to know the reason. My why was my motivation.

10. Change does not happen overnight. This was a jump-start to show me that yes, I can. I can, I will, and I am changing day by day. I am not the same person who started this journey 10 days ago. I have a feeling that some of you who supported me see that and it is a mirror of yourselves. You have changed by joining me on this journey.

Unlike a marathon, there is no finish line with a challenge. The end of the designated 10 days only signifies that the real work is now beginning. My will is strong. Some of my habits have already been broken and others are in progress. I am reminded at this moment of my favorite quote from Star Wars: Do or do not. There is no try! Thank you Yoda.

Every moment of our waking hours we make choices. We are either choosing to do something or not. That has been made very clear during this journey. I could have made different choices – to not stick to my commitment, to change/adjust it - but instead I rode the waves. There were ups and downs all through it. There were things that could have taken me off course. My focus was more internal during this time as I examined my “why” of doing the challenge every single day. In doing that very important reflection and being very honest with myself in processing the answers, I grew stronger each day. I looked at my life with a new perspective. I have dreams and goals that I am not willing to let go of. I have a mission that is bigger than me. If I am to accomplish the things I know I am here to do, then I need this kind of discipline and support to do that.

In my meditation time today, I was shown that I am to use this experience as a beta test of sorts for a program to help those who are ready to make a commitment of change in their own lives. As a Happiness Coach, I was very excited at the possibilities for this. It’s in the incubator so stay tuned. In the words of BTO, “you ain’t seen nothing yet.” #YesIcan #YesIam #SweetSuccess