Lessons Do Not Have To Hurt - Let Them Be Your Sculptor

“I’m grateful for past betrayals, heartaches, and challenges… I thought they were breaking me, 

but they were sculpting me.” 

~Steve Maraboli

It was 3 years ago today. I saw 'that' picture that made me wince.

It was a picture taken by a lovely friend of my daughters at her Baby Shower. It was me, standing happily on the back steps of our patio. I had a giant smile and happy face. That did not make me wince. It was the body placed beneath my neck. A body that was busting out of the cotton fitted Sun Dress. There was no room for imagination, and this although I knew I was sweating profusely from the shaper I was wearing underneath. 

I had allowed my lifestyle to get out of control, and my body was demonstrating just how much.

Somehow, although I knew I was a large person, I had been able to completely diminish the state of my body. I want to be clear here, it was not just that I was kind of fat, like obese. It was more than just my size. I was in pain as well. My joints hurt, my stomach was bothering me, and I had skin conditions developing around the flaps of my body. Little did I know at the time that I would find myself on a journey of self-improvement, borne out of physical necessity. As a result, I would make drastic changes to my life.

I would eventually learn to stop using my size and pain as an excuse not to exercise. I discovered what it meant to make a decision - to decide, really decide.

I would also find out that I am my own worst enemy, what with the constant barrage of negative thoughts that consumed every waking moment as I sought answers from what I had known from my past experiences and those who had succeeded in getting better. Through it all, I would discover the power of meditation and yoga to help me deal with life’s stresses (people or situations).

Three years later, this chronic pain and pressure are but a distant memory. From time to time it returns as nothing more than a mild muscle soreness or tension, usually when I push myself too hard. Through the years, I've attempted to encapsulate all the lessons I have learned through my journey to better health. 

The list is getting smaller, and I realize they have become my Sculptor. They are reshaping me all the time.

These are the lessons from my experience I wish to share with you today. I believe they can be associated with other burdens you might be carrying today:

The Sculpting lessons at a Glance

1. You are what you think. So, choose carefully!
2. Question your beliefs.
3. Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better.
4. Stop finding excuses for why you can’t. This is called blaming. Instead, find reasons why you can. This is called taking the initiative.
5. Be thankful for both the good and the bad in your life for both are gifts.
6. Meditate
7. Really decide.

I used to wonder if, given a chance to be spared those three years of pain, infirmity, and uncertainty, would I take it?

My answer is no.

It’s made me the person I am today. I would have missed all those valuable lessons and tremendous opportunities for self-growth. More importantly, I would have missed sharing those lessons here today.

Cheers.