It is all a matter of perspective

I am currently participating in a Bible study through a local church.  Our study is Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.  This study teaches us to be content in all circumstances.  What we are on the inside, what we continually think about, eventually shows in our words, actions, and even in our countenances. 

It is all a matter of perspective.  It is how we view a certain situation in our life.  Are we constantly looking over at our neighbor’s fence post checking out to see if their grass is greener than our own?  I know that I am totally guilty about that.  Which ultimately results in an discontent spirit.

When I workout at the gym or even at the starting line of a race.  I stack myself up against the other women there.  I feel inferior.  Less than.  Not worthy.  Yet, if I were to focus on the blessings and positive of my life and my training… I am healthy.  I am an athlete.  I may not look like those other extremely fit women, nor run as fast as them.  But I am healthy.  My heart is strong.  I am happy.  I am an athlete.

Yes, I may struggle with losing these last few pounds for selfish reasons.  However, I know that my children and my husband love me no matter what the number on the scale says.

Yes, I write a health and fitness blog.  However, I know that I will not lose a reader if I run a slower mile than them.

Yes, I am a homeschooling mom to three little boys.  Yes, we are a one income family so I can be a stay at home mom.  We may not have it all together… but together we have it all.

Basically what I am trying to share is that I am on a road to learning contentment.  Learning to be content in all my circumstances.  Learning to not dwell on tomorrow – remembering that tomorrow is God’s not my own.

Contentment is the state of the heart, not a state of the affairs.  I need to do a heart check constantly to monitor my contentment.  Learning to pray rather than be anxious.  Trusting that Christ’s strength is infused into my weak soul, body and spirit.

“I am strong for all things in the one who constantly infuses strength in me.” Philippians 4:13

I am choosing to practice contentment with a change of my perspective.  I will be learning to dwell on the positive, be thankful, pray specifically, and giving all my anxieties to God.  This thought process goes in line with all things in my life: faith, family, fitness, food and fun!  It is all a matter of perspective. 

Taking a step back, I have realized that I set lofty goals for my half marathon planning in March.  I was getting bored with the training plan, dreaded running even.  I decided to focus on the positive and switch things up a bit.  I decided to create my own plan the last few weeks: a mixture between the Smart Coach Training Plan from Runners World and the Train Like a Mother Own It Plan from the book.

Focusing on what is important to me… my goals in life… being content in all my circumstances… while maintaining my sanity as I train for fitness races… makes me content.  Knowing that I need to run and workout to make me a happier, better PERSON… I am sharing with you my fitness plan from the previous week as well as my training plan for this week.

Last Week’s Training Plan

Monday: easy 5 miles (elliptical)
Tuesday: 
Wednesday: tempo 5.25 miles (treadmill)
Thursday: easy 4 miles (elliptical) & 4.25 miles cycle
Friday: 10 mile stationary bike
Saturday: 4 mile run (outdoors & solo) + 1 mile row + 5 mile stationary bike

This Week’s Training Plan

Monday: easy 7 miles
Tuesday:
Wednesday: easy 5 miles
Thursday: easy 4 miles
Friday:
Saturday: 12 miles w/ strong finish (last 10 minutes)

I will keep pressing on towards my goal of learning balance with my goals for 2013.  Learning to be content in all my circumstances is a matter of shifting my perspective.  Changing and spicing up my training plan mid training is a risk I am going to take.

What are your goals for this week?