Recently, I’ve phased in a bit more activity to my routine beginning with the hallowed treadmill…

The first week I did a warm up walk for 5 minutes, ran for 10 and then a cool down walk for 5 more minutes every other day.

The second week I upped my run time to 15 minutes, and the subsequent week to 20 minutes.

What I immediately noticed during Week Two, was that the 15 minute run time was no more difficult than the 10 minutes the week before. And the third week, the 20 minutes was no more difficult than 15.

It was as if my capacity expanded to whatever goal I set.

Because of this, it occurred to me how easy it would be to unwittingly “settle” in life, thinking that going beyond where I’m comfortable would be “too hard,” or out of my comfort zone.

Why is it that being in a comfort zone is a BAD thing? Or, that somehow we are being lazy, or limiting ourselves, or our potential, if things are easy?

It seems to me, feeling comfortable would be an ideal zone to shoot for.

But, WHAT IF we can experience a continuation of our comfort AND expand into a greater, stronger level of living…?

Not only do I believe this is possible. I am convinced it IS easy.

In fact the most difficult task before you is letting go of the old idea that you must suffer to experience value, accomplishment or gain.

If you were around in the 80s fitness movement you remember the slogan “No Pain, No Gain” coined by Jane Fonda during her butt burning exercises.

But long before that, Old World voices cried, “without the pain in doing what God commands, there is no spiritual gain.”

So it is, that we have a long, even cellular relationship with the value – even the requirement – of hardship.

I’m here to tell you, you don’t have to live like that.

And, surprise! A 180 degree turn is not required. Besides, you would just perceive that extreme as more punishment, or undoable, or again… painful.

Keep it simple and make incremental changes. Gradually shift and expand into what FEELS GOOD and what you DO WANT your life and relationships to be.

What you focus on WILL expand. So if you choose to focus on what you DON’T want that will expand too.

Keep the focus positive and step by step, minute by minute you will transform your life.

And the best part? It doesn’t have to hurt one bit!

I am forever in your corner...

With love,
Thais

photo credit: European Parliament via photopin cc