I received this letter recently from a facebook friend that touched me so…I wanted to share it with you. My hope is that one of you will read her letter and feel like YOU can accomplish YOUR goal…one step at a time!

Candace,

Just wanted to let you know what an inspiration you have been for me! Of course, I only discovered your fitness accomplishments earlier this year … I began seeing your motivational statements pop up on my home page every so often. I read your website and heard your story about the athlete within.

Most of the time, I do eat right. Stay away from sugars, white breads, white pasta, etc. From time to time I have had my own personal trainer and know that I feel better when i am exercising. I am not a large person… but I haven’t really been where I want to be for years. I am definately a competitor by nature. That’s why I do own my own business and am damned determined not to let this economy bring me down. BUT, I have always HATED exercise. I am not athletic, but have a husband and a son who are. So as I age, I continue to wonder how long I can stay this size with diet alone. I know the answer…not long.

Knowing what you have done and seeing your continued results, I thought to myself, I can become more fitness motivated…even at 44! So, when my son said something this summer about the Atlanta half marathon/marathon that is held on Thanksgiving Day, I thought, “That’s it, I need a goal! Exercising for exercising sake, will not do it for me.” I made the proclamation to the family, “I am going to run that Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon.” Of course, my husband responded, “You are not a runner.” You may not know this about me, but never tell me I can’t do something! (AND no, a 10K wasn’t a big enough goal for me!! LOL!)

I did a little research on running, talked to some friends who have completed marathons and said, “Yes, I can do this.” I found a begginers running plan on runnersworld.com and was also fitted for running shoes. It’s working! I started just 5 weeks ago. I began by running for 1 minute, walking for 1 minute for up to 30 minutes. Each day I increased just a little more. Yesterday I ran 4 miles without stopping! That’s my longest run yet! I feel great! I am running about 5 days a week now and can’t wait to jump out of the bed at 6:00 am to head to the park. (AND I am not a morning person!) In another three weeks I will begin the 10 week half marathon training plan. My husband commented this week, “You really are a runner now!”

So Candace, I know I am not a client, but I want you to know that I believe you are reaching a lot of other people who are not your clients through your facebook posts! Keep it up!! What a great thing you are doing for this sedentary world we live in. Thank you so much for being my inspiration this year…and you did not even know it!! You’re the best!!

Some motivation for you all today:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

- by Marianne Williamson

(from “A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles”)

I recently posted this in a blog on my Bodyspace profile and here is a response that I loved so much I wanted to share it with you. Amazing how a few good words can change your thinking and fuel your desire to reach new levels!

While the writing is obviously heart felt and sincere, it does not align with my fear.

Chase the fear.

Wish I could properly thank the author of these words…he calls himself “TheCrab”, from Virginia. Thank you!!