The Spirit is Awesome!!

You ever have one of those days at church were it felt like every meeting was just what you needed to hear. Well I definitely had that today it was awesome. I have been going through a rough patch for quite sometime, I would say the past two years or so. I've always been pretty certain of what direction I want my life to take ie. career goals, personal growth, spiritual progression etc. however the past couple of years have been difficult. I am in that awkward phase of life where I am emerging from a young woman to a woman and it scares the hell out of me! I graduate in May and it feels like once I graduate the real world aka responsibilities are going to come pounding at my front door. I wish I had "no trespassing" sign or something. Anyway relevance to church today, I am a very independent/stubborn person. I'm not one to share my hardships and seek help. At one point I sought divine help and to me didn't really get anything out of it. So I kind of felt alone in dealing with my fears and problems about life. Well at church it was reiterated in every meeting that God is basically mindful of me and sometimes He trust us to handle life's problems on our own. I'm still trying/learning to reach out to Him but I am also learning that I can't expect Him to do the work for me or expect Him to simply give me an answer, I must put in work. Faith requires action.

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves..."
D&C 58:26-28

January 25th

This has been a rock star kind of week thus far (I'm being serious). I've managed to get a lot, it's been a very productive last couple of days. My car died on me over the weekend although I love my little J.T. it's honestly a blessing in disguise. I don't have to buy gas or pay my $96 car insurance anymore. Plus I get to be a bit more active. I live like a 20 minute max walk from school but I always drive because I am always late. To be fair though I am a Robinson, black, and Mormon that's bad combo for promptness. I also get to catch the bus to work which is free. And I will not eat out as much which will improve health and save money. So yeah definitely blessing in disguise and a much needed push.

Progress with training is about the same I am alternating between 2 and 3 mile runs at the moment. My legs are a bit sore still. Being a poor student the food situation is bearable. I am so poor, it's ridiculous. I've been eating rice and salsa haha like the past week or so but my mom is sending me money to get food which is good. I've been craving vanilla yogurt and strawberries.

"Do your best...do your very best!"
-President Hinckley, man I still really miss him:(

January 23

Sorry for the delay, I had every intention on blogging on Friday then one thing led to another and before I knew it it was Sunday. What can I say it happens to the best of us. Anyway, my progress. I'm starting out with 2 and 3 miles jogs and it's killing me. I've never been one to be in tip top shape I will be honest here, but I use to be able to run 5-7 miles without nearly as much mental and physical exertion as the little 2 mile run. I know it will get better though and that I will build up my stamina, endurance, and all that jazz in a matter of time. Eating has been going well too, I'm eating a bomb spinach wrap as we speak or as i type:) Elder Wynder called me today and for those who don't know who he is, he's my unofficial Grandpa and I'm just crazy about him so that really brighten my day being able to hear from him. I have had a lot of outside stressors so I needed that. Any-who all is well peeps. TTYS

January 19

Well these last couple of days have been a bit on the rough side, more so mentally then anything. To say that I am stressed would be an understatement. Stress is exactly how I got into the position I am now and will keep me there if I don't find solutions to deal with it. When I am stressed I am immobile so most things I half-heartedly unfortunately. This when I become a complacent and lazy. It's more difficult for me to deal with stress when I am in school because when I do do things to relieve stress afterwards all I can think about is the time I "wasted" that could of been used studying. It also doesn't help either that I am still on China time and go to bed at ridiculous hours. I've been trying to do too much on too little sleep. For me the hardest part of any new journey has always been getting started, the same ring trues with my efforts to prepare for this half-marathon. I'm determined to create a new resolve(motivation) to help me. I'll let you know Friday. *Sigh* I'm hoping tomorrow will be better. 

"We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough."

The Journey of 1000 miles must begin with 1 step...

So friends, family, and all the rest I have decided to start a blog. You may be thinking to yourself 'I wonder why she decided to start this blog?' Well to put your question to rest I started this blog to hold myself more accountable when making goals. Yeah I know right real orignial  but hey you know what they say why re-invent the wheel.
This blog is me putting on the gear and tomorrow is when the first step of my journey begins...I will begin training to run half marathon this summer. I will be running Grandma's Marathon this summer June 18th, 2011. You should come? I actually enjoy runnning and execrising but I have become lazy and complacent these past several months. My real goal is to create a habit of running and exercising and eating better and the half-marathon will be my low-fat cherry on top! I have printed off the recommened 15 week training regimen for the marathon as well as a eating guide. I'm making my first of many steps tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!

The title of this blog is "Create Your Life Masterpiece" so just so you know the half-marathon is just the first piece of the puzzle. I have many other goals some seemingly simple like stop biting my nails others more difficult like reach God's potential for me. However all goals rather small or big have a significant impact on the character and conviction of a person. Despite the failures, struggles, and accomplishemnts (yes, thats right I said accomplishments those can be stumbling blocks as well) I'm determined to create a masterpiece that will fortify my character and develop a lasting hopeful conviction toward the possibilities and opportunities that this journey we call life have to offer.

"Lack of effort, doing nothing, accomplishes nothing...When we do nothing we become our own worst enemy. If we do not take a step, if we do not make the effort, we are dropping victory into the jaws of defeat...If we take ONE step, no matter how slow or no matter how small, chances are we can take another."

Will you support me in my efforts?

I will post weekly every Monday, however the first two weeks I will post every other day.