A few years ago, our pastor told this story about the Pixar creator, Ed Catmull, being 2 inches from dying in a car accident as a child. Had that had happened, there would be no Pixar. The people that met through Pixar would’ve never met, would have never had their children, would never have the lives they live today.
How many times have we been 2 inches away from a drastic life-changing scenario, and we didn’t even realize it?
How many of the ordinary things that we do every day are actually a compilation of events that have the potential to change our lives?
6 years ago, I had just completed another yo-yo diet. I was successful on the diet, but it was expensive and it wasn’t something I could maintain forever. So I did what I normally do after a diet, I binge eat all the junk I want and then feel gross and sorry for myself.
My 2 Inch Moment
My 2-inch moment was a decision that I almost didn’t make. My 2-inch moment would have been the difference between living a life that I love, and living a life that I was just getting through.
Brandon came home one day and told me about this new diet that our friends wouldn’t shut up about. I initially told him, no way. I had already made my decision and it wasn’t going to happen.
What if he hadn’t convinced me to do this with him? What if I hadn’t taken a few minutes to research Paleo? What if I hadn’t stumbled upon Mark’s Daily Apple the next day at work?
If You Are Afraid To Go, Go Together
In the message our pastor shared, he related it to God knowing us better than we know ourselves. He said that God brings people into our lives to help us go through situations that we are afraid to go through alone.
In the time leading up to our lifestyle change, I felt like I was backed into a corner that only God could get me out. My depression, anxiety, and fear were at an all-time high. (Typical for me when I am in and out of strict diets) Brandon was dealing with some similar issues and we were both on the verge of requiring medication and guidance.
God Puts People In Our Lives When We Can’t Make It Alone.
I couldn’t do this change alone, but together, we were able to stick with it. That is what Brandon and I always say about our new journey. If I weren’t here cooking for him, he would have quit. If he hadn’t convinced me to start, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back
Looking back at photos and re-watching the “2 Inch Moments” message, it forced me to reflect on how many things almost kept me from making a decision that drastically changed my life.
I wonder how many times I was too afraid to take a risk.
How many moments did I miss because I didn’t have a community or a partner to say, we can do it together.
People aren’t meant to be alone in life and while I often need alone time, I can’t do life alone.
This year has been my year of reflection and my year of taking risks. I could write tons of posts on the changes I’ve seen this year, but I won’t (for now).
I will share that the moments that stand out the most, all link back to community and support. I took a huge risk to make changes to my career and my faith over the last 3 years.
None of these would have happened if I hadn’t made a decision to change my lifestyle 6 years ago. The things I love about my lifestyle today, wouldn’t exist if I didn’t say Yes to my husband begging me to go Paleo 6 years ago.
Taking time to reflect on my life in celebration of our 6 years Paleo-versary has helped me see a bigger picture. My lifestyle isn’t just about the food I eat, it’s about the people I hang out with and the things I have learned along the way. There is so much more in store and I am excited to see what moments happen next.
Pay Attention To Your Moments
What if today we start living life the way we want and finding people in our community who support us, encourage us and help us to create a life we love?
Don’t let fear keep you from making a 2-inch moment that could change your life in ways that you wouldn’t believe in 1, 6 or 20 years from now.
Do you have a 2 inch moment story? I’d love to hear it, comment below!
Follow me on Facebook to see how to get connected to a community every month.
]]>Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27
It’s easy to love people who love you, but what happens when someone doesn’t love you? How do we handle a situation when we feel compelled to love someone who doesn’t love us in return?
Over the last few years, I have endured more surprising hate then I could have ever imagined. In all of this, I am reminded of C.S. Lewis’ words from The Four Loves.
It’s easy to love people who love you, but what happens when someone doesn’t love you? How do we handle a situation when we feel compelled to love someone who doesn’t love us in return?
How to love, even when it is hard
Here is what I have been practicing over these last few years of rocky relationships:
Pray for your heart and their heart
Prayer has been so important to me over the last few years. My prayer often says, “open the right doors and shut the wrong doors. Show me how to handle this the way YOU would want me to handle this.” If I don’t see a clear answer, I wait and continue praying before I make any drastic decisions about the relationship.
Learn their side of the story
This is probably the most important tip i’ve learned. Watching my relationships with several people in my life get destroyed over these last few years has been devastating. Almost every single relationship was destroyed because someone chose to spread hate. The people that chose to listen to the hate, never checked both sides of the story. If you have someone difficult in your life, take a minute to step into their shoes. At least admit that you have NO idea what they are going through because you’ve never been in that situation. Just because someone is doing things differently than you would, it doesn’t make them wrong, just different.
Remember you aren’t perfect
To someone else, you may be a difficult person. No matter how amazing we think we are, we still have our own flaws. Aren’t you so thankful for grace and forgiveness? Remember to practice offering forgiveness often.
Don’t run away
It’s an easy way out and it won’t solve the problems. As much as we want to run away and avoid difficult people in our life, running away isn’t the answer.
Don’t let fear drive your emotions
I am guilty of being afraid of the unknown. Confrontation is tough and it is easier to walk away and pretend we don’t care. Living in fear can quickly turn to hate and negativity in your own life.
Never miss an opportunity to bless them
Sometimes opportunities fall in our laps that allow us to be a light in someones life. If you have a chance to bless or encourage your person, take it, that may be the door God is opening for you.
Take some time to breathe
Don’t be afraid to take a step away from the relationships and situations. Remember what we learn when we are fighting with someone as a toddler? Walk away! This will give us time to reflect on our situation. Stepping away can give you new insight on how to handle this season.
Keep Boundaries in place
Often times we can blur the boundaries of showing love and getting taken advantage of. You need to be reflective and make rules for your relationships. Be sure you aren’t hurting yourself by putting too much into one person. Keep it healthy and productive.
We All Struggle With Love
Openly, I admit that I’m learning this as I go. We have to put steps into place to love those who have hurt us over the years. I was never one of those people that threw, “I love you” around. In fact, my husband is the only guy that I’ve ever said I love you to in an romantic way.
I was always afraid of getting hurt in love. I tend to be very guarded and quick to run when I feel like things are getting tough.
I am still working on continuing to love people who have hurt me or hurt my family. I’m always praying that God continues to keep my heart open to forgive and soft enough to continue loving.
My biggest struggle is learning to be a Women of God who knows when to keep her mouth shut and when to speak up. I’d so much rather just run my mouth and shut people down.
Where Do We Go From Here
How do you love difficult people?
What could you take away from this list and start using right away?
Take it one step at a time and remember to keep God at the center of all of your relationships.
Reflecting on our Journey 5 and a 1/2 years ago.
Who would have thought this journey would have lasted so long! I am still so proud of Brandon and our journey together!
It is 2 days after the biggest eating day of the year and Brandon and I chose to continue our healthy eating habits, even through the holidays. We didn’t stay totally Paleo, but we made “better” choices than years past. (One dessert rather than a plate full of desserts). Brandon passed up two Free pizza meals in one day and almost went crazy with hunger cravings. I was getting nervous that this life change and paleo had become too much for him until today….
 |
Two days after Thanksgiving when most people are feeling stuffed and lazy ~ Brandon has been up, active and hunting. I noticed his pants were extra saggy and falling down so I took my sister to Gap and we found him his favorite pair of jeans. We brought them home tonight and THEY FIT! They were the loose and comfortable jeans that he always loves. Only this time… they were a lot smaller!
It was at that moment he decided that, he really enjoyed our life change and he is pretty sure he can continue on.
The point:
- To brag on my husbands hard work! I LOVE him
- To let you know that you can have a day like Thanksgiving and Holidays to cheat on your normal routines. (And you won’t gain 40 lbs. in one cheat day. Don’t feel guilty just start again.) Beating yourself up for eating and living is going to cause you to stress and want to give up.
- Size 32 jeans surpassed Brandon’s goals of this life change. He wanted to feel healthy and more energetic. He wanted to lose weight but he has dropped over 25 LBS and he is feeling, healthy, happy and looking good in smaller clothes while he does it.
“All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible…”
– Orison Swett Marden
 |
| I should add that this weight-loss was with limited work outs due to a shattered elbow during a bike wreck in July! All he did was change his eating habits. |