If I didn’t know, really know, before that change was hard, I do now. And as I’m on this change journey, it is showing me what I’m capable of and, equally, where I struggle. I’m spending more time reflecting on what it is I want, really want, before deciding on a particular course of action. Because there is always a choice, one between the frying pan or the fire. [Read more…] about The Frying Pan or the Fire?
writing life
When the Going Gets Tough
Growing up, I often heard the expression, ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ And I’d forgotten that it was also a Billy Ocean song. Still, when I was younger, I had a vague sense of what it meant. But now, as I work to bring meaningful change to my life, the meaning behind the saying has more power. It is a reminder that when life becomes difficult, those who are strong work harder to meet the challenge. But let me be honest: lately, I’ve discovered just how weak I am. [Read more…] about When the Going Gets Tough
When Life Speaks
Lately, it’s been a bit of a struggle. The moment I feel like I’m starting to make progress, something happens to stunt my momentum. Working overnights, I’m not strong enough, not yet anyway, to push through the tiredness. I’m not a machine, so when I’m tired, it’s harder to stay focused to write. I make progress on better managing distractions only to end up slipping back into bad habits. Working to change myself and my life, it’s frustrating when things don’t go as planned. Yet it is when I am still—able to quiet the noise and listen—when life speaks. [Read more…] about When Life Speaks
You Can Do It
You’ve signed up for a 5K race but are just at the beginning of your running journey. After a lot self-reflection, you realize it’s time to sit down and start writing that book. Many people have thanked you for your advice and help, and encouraged you to start your own business. Now you know it’s time to take the leap. In all those endeavours, there’s still doubt about whether you’re good enough or worthy enough. Let me tell you this: you can do it.
You’re Not Crazy
After signing up for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2019, I panicked. Who did I think I was to run 42.2K (26.1 mi)? The longest distance I’d run up to that point was a half-marathon, and I wasn’t convinced that I had it in me to run a full marathon. I had a training plan, which I followed. I eliminated foods that had the potential to derail me. While I thought I was doing things right, I still had doubts. [Read more…] about You Can Do It
Keep Showing Up
The other day I was listening to the album produced by Fearless Motivation titled, 10% Human 90%^ Beast, when one of the tracks offered a powerful message: keep showing up. When you’re chasing your dream and you don’t see the results, when you’re tired, when you’re not sure that you’ll ever cross the finish line, you must keep showing up.
Writing into the Void
When I decided to act like a writer and not simply talk about being one, it meant I had to submit my work for publication. Back in the day, that meant printing off the manuscript and mailing it with a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) if I wanted a response. And for years, the only thing that I received were rejection letters. Yes, there were days I was discouraged and felt like giving up. Still, I knew I had to keep showing up. [Read more…] about Keep Showing Up