Motivational Monday: How Being Thankful Motivates Me

Soooo....it is Thanksgiving week, a time when people really express what they are thankful for. When I reflect on what I am thankful for, it gives me more motivation to push towards my goals. This year has not been the most fun, it has not been easy BUT it has opened some new doors for me and allowed me to truly see what I am made of. This year my motivation comes from what I am thankful for:

Strength: Strength is something I have always been commended for however, this year I didn't feel strong. Actually, most of this year I felt weak, lost and unsure of where my life was going. From the trials I faced, I learned what true strength was. I learned how to push myself at my weakest times. This developed true inner strength that now I utilize when life throws a curve ball I know how to handle it without a total breakdown.

Courage: I am thankful for the courage I had to take my health and fitness back in control. I was facing the worst condition I had ever been in before. I was tired, cranky, unmotivated and angry at life. One day, I decided to just jump in and get things back on track. This meant I joined team Beachbody. Something I had no clue about, something I was skeptical about, something that made me nervous but inside I knew this was right for me.

Friends and family: This year I learned who truly was behind me, who truly cared about my well being and was going to be there for me through my toughest times. With this, I have lost friends who weren't there for me, who only communicated with me when I reached out. I learned these are not the type of people I want or need in my life. I have learned that I need to surround myself with positive people who have my best interest at heart. I know I give my everything into every relationship, I now know I deserve the same.

The unexpected: I never thought I would say I am thankful for the unexpected events in my life, but I am. This year was all about the unexpected. This year has been a complete overturn of where I was this time last year. It's not easy to go into the holidays remembering where I was last year. But that is life. I have spent the year bouncing back from one thing to the next. But it has made me appreciate life so much more because things can always be worse. The unexpected teaches us about what we are truly made of.

Life is not easy, if it was then we would have to wonder what is wrong...or what is about to happen. It is the hardest times of our life that truly make us into who we are supposed to be. I know that I sit here reflecting on the worst year of my life and I am still smiling. I am so blessed to wake up healthy, with good people in my life and with so many opportunities to be successful. This year I am thankful to be here, stronger, smarter and healthier.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!