Just Maybe I Can

I never imagined I would or COULD inspire anyone. I am really nobody unusual or special. I am just a normal girl, with some dreams of my own.

Lately, and ESPECIALLY, because of my Facebook group, I See Fit People, I have started to think that I CAN make a difference and help someone change their life.

When I started the group on FB, it was to help out a few friends with questions and pass on some good info that I came across. That was it. I sent out a few invites, and Shazaam! It was on a roll!

I have no degree or certification...I just love this fit & healthy way of life and I am completely passionate about it. I woke up one day...literally...and decided why can't I do this? Why can't I run, be healthier, make a difference in my own life, learn more? So I did.

It has almost been 2 years since I grabbed the bull by the horns and tossed him around a little bit. I started running, eating the right things, reading, absorbing, networking and growing (while shrinking a little physically), building muscle and expanding my fitness repertoire. Oh yeah...it CAN be done. I don't care who or what you think you can or cannot do. I am living proof that you can change yourself. I know this sounds like beating a dead horse, but mind over matter. That is all it is.

It goes without saying that after ISFP started growing, I became a little more dedicated and involved. I honestly, every single week, get messages from people asking my opinion about food, exercise, motivation. I am astounded. I mean, who am I? Am I someone worthy of giving advice when I have no formal training? I often wonder about that, but then shut that little devil on my shoulder up, and start typing a reply. I think if something has worked for me, then bloody heck, it is going to work for someone else. Keep asking me questions. I will answer.

I sometimes am silenced and brought to tears by some of your messages and stories. I am ALWAYS honored and feel so privileged that you chose to share your life, struggles, goals, dreams & successes with me. These messages come not only from complete strangers, but from some people I have known my entire life. They tell me I am their motivation...I keep them going when they didn't feel like it. Little do they know, but they are the ones who are doing the same thing for me.

I want to live not only for myself, but for others. I am going to keep doing what I am doing. If I think I helped even one person make a change that impacted their life, then I have done something fabulous.

I have met some amazing people because of ISFP. From across the globe, in fact. Yes, it is true...people EVERYWHERE struggle with the same things. We are all brought together with the tie that binds: To be better, be more, change ourselves..the list goes on and on. To meet an ISFP memeber in person...well, it rocks. To everyone I have met so far..you all blow me away! I cannot wait to meet even more of you!

I got this great message from someone last week, who I really didn't know well at all. It was kind of funny, but impactful at the same time. She saw me drop my son off at school, music as usual, blaring from my car stereo. She said she saw me doing my little car seat dancing & bopping and it just made her day. Nothing huge or earth shattering for sure. But the fact is she took the time to send me a message to say it lit up her day.

The moral of the story is this:

Do what you do because you love it & have passion! You never know who is watching and taking something great from that!

Change things....one little step at a time.

Life is No Nintendo Game

Do you ever wake up one day and think...this is my life: what have I done to make a difference? Have I left my mark on the world? Will I be remembered for doing something great, being that person that went the extra mile, impacted people's lives, changed things that could be changed?? Will I learn all I want to learn, go to places not yet traveled, meet those people, do the undone???

I have story in my head. I have had it for years. It is ever changing, with lots of additions and deletions. It is the story of my funeral and how it will play out. Most of the changes, I have to admit are wardrobe related. What will I wear in the casket? Are they bloody well going to put fabulous shoes on my feet to bury me in? Who the heck is going to do my hair & makeup? Are they going to accessorize me properly? Will they remember the glitter? This is the final act in the show...there must be NO mistakes!

I digress. With this story I have of my funeral, it leads me to these thoughts, these actions, this relentless quest.

I wake up every day with a list. Some of it on paper, some in my head. I lay my head on the pillow at night..again, it is swimming with possibility. With dreams & goals, big & small. Throughout my day, my ideas get written on bright orange Post-Its. What if I forget these fabulous ideas?? What if they aren't followed through? Why aren't there just a few more hours in the day? Why can't I just have that extra time to squeak in just one more thing...scratch one more item off my list?

Ever since I was really young, I have been a bit of a freak. I did things normal kids really didn't do. I had a slight baking obsession, starting at about 9 or so (I kept documentation via Diaries). I think I baked or cooked something every single day. Was I bored or subconsciously was I creating my own version of The Food Network? Changing the world, one muffin at a time. Wooing them with fresh baked muffin smells.

Now as an adult, this continues...I would still do it every day if I could. The creating, the aromas, the sheer happiness that comes over me when my sharp knife cuts through a crisp pepper. That is irreplaceable.

But I have grown and changed over the last few years. My passions have budded and flowered into something wonderful. I started running, become more fit than I ever have been, changed my eating, started a new job, created a Facebook group dedicated to inspiring not only myself, but others to get on the right track. It is exciting. I could list a dozen things right now I want to do right now since these changes. This has made my Bucket (list) heavier. There is so much more to accomplish, to create, to change, to better.

I now plan my life out by Beachbody programs and races. That my friend, is a sure sign. I have become not only passionate, but EXTREMELY driven to succeed. I want it all. I can't quite explain how I went from this person I was to who I am now. But I like it. And I don't apologize for it.


I have decided that you only get one shot. You cannot go back and redo things. You have to seize the moment. Be all you can be, do everything in your power to get to your goals. Surround yourself with positive people. You attract what you project. You reap what you sow. That is my theory. And that is how I am living my life.

So when I say I am going to run that marathon, make those 52 Cheesecakes(one of my ideas), play on stage with Bon Jovi, open that dessert store, have my own TFN show, build that wine cellar, rebuild the Pet Cemetery (Laura will get this), rebuild that 68 Cougar, meet you in person, train like a Navy Seal, organize an I See Fit People Event & make those t-shirts, meet John Travolta, design SOMETHING(**whew**..and there is SO much more)...you can be assured I mean it. Wait..I feel a sudden urge to sing Jefferson Starship.

So before those mini vials of glitter come uncorked and scattered at my funeral, there is work to do. There is no second chance.

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see". ~~~John Burroughs