Steppin' Up!

Steppin' Up

I have had the title and subject of this blog ever since I wrote my first and only blog in January. I knew what I wanted to write about, and, in so doing, discover what steppin' up does and does not mean for me. I knew I wanted to expand and express my spirit more. I wanted to try new things, take chances and learn as I grew. I wanted to challenge myself.

Even though I didn't write this blog before now, I have been consciously steppin' up. After a long, cold, lonely winter, I went back to the gym! Two weeks later, I committed to working with a personal trainer. One day on the treadmill participating in a fund raiser, my trainer asked me to run!(?) Wow, I hadn't ever done this but he assured me it would just be for a minute. And I did it!! Then I rested for about 3 and 1/2 minutes. Ok try again--really? Well, just one more minute, why not?  Wow! What an accomplishment for me. And I realized then I had no idea I could it until I tried. How much more could I do?  

So I would go to the gym, get on the treadmill and run almost every day. Now at first it was only a minute, then two, then the running became longer and the breaks shorter. I loved seeing my progress and usually called or texted my husband with the latest mileage. I will never forget the day that I completed 5 miles on the treadmill! Now besides running for the fun of it, (yes it is fun!)  I wanted to see the pounds dropping--I mean I was working out every day. Well, that did not happen; although my clothes were fitting differently and I could tell my body was changing.

Hey, what if I exercised with the goal of getting healthier instead of reaching a specific number on the guilt machine? New realization--this feels much more compassionate and I am not so inclined to beat myself up if the scale is not moving down. So steppin' up can also mean acceptance!

When I think of steppin' up, I think of traveling outside my comfort zone and risking. If I am steppin' up, what would I do? Finding and using my voice is still somewhat new and somewhat risky. I  fear being judged, and maybe that is one reason this blog has been stewing inside me for the last 4 months. But today I choose to step up and release it to the page. One way I want to step up is to start using my voice and quote myself. I quote many inspirational speakers and authors. I rely on famous speakers to inspire myself and others and to express how I feel. So I figure by blogging, I am speaking from my heart. If I am able to inspire others that is great too. For me, even writing about steppin' up is steppin' up!

Steppin' up is not just action for me either; it can also be doing nothing, taking some down time and nurturing myself even when the 'to do' list is screaming.
 
Steppin' up could simply mean listening--spending time in nature, or listening to beautiful inspirational music, or meditation. Turning off the television, limiting my time on the computer, simply minimizing distractions makes it much easier to hear my inner voice. So, for me, Steppin' up is slowing down as much as exercising more. It is knowing that if I lead with my heart and listen to which area I am feeling nudged to step up, I can move in any direction and expand, express, challenge myself and grow!

Trusting that inner nudging and guidance is the subject of my next blog. ; )

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.”?~Karen Ravn