I Am Not That Person Anymore

I loved the responses I received from last week's newsletter. It felt like the old days!! Here is one of my favorites.


"I started training with you in 2007. It took quite a while, but I got strong and learned a lot about great form. I was 55 yrs old then. Finally, the day came that you left to move on to a place you needed to be. I moved on to workout with another trainer. He always remarked at how strong I was. I never slacked.


Fast forward. I am now 73. Unfortunately, I now have arthritis in my neck and back. I have had to cut back quite a bit on the amount of weight I can do, and it has really bothered me that I am not that person anymore. I still have great lower body strength. I focus more now on my cardio when I warm up. Your client’s story has inspired me to accept what has changed and be the best I can be and just keep moving forward. Tell your client thank you for being my inspiration."


I will tell her.


It's true, isn't it? - we have always been one another's inspiration.


As I read this response, I was struck by the words, "I am not that person anymore." I get that. I really do. I have that thought daily. So, what is the antidote? I received another response that I believe captures it perfectly.


"I love that you wrote, “Don’t despair. Reinvent!” I just read a devotional that talked about God’s mercies are new every day, including us. And he doesn’t mean the old version shows up again. It means we are a new creation every day!"


What a beautiful reminder. I need not wait for the former version to show up again. Life is new today and every day.


What does that look like for those of us with arthritis (or something else that has changed us)? We get to discover that by compassionately implementing daily practices that connect us to our authentic, present-moment selves.


"Every morning starts a new page in your story. Make it a great one today." - Doe Zantamata


I'll see you there!