I listened to Elizabeth Gilbert's Magic Lessons podcast this summer-a recommendation from my friend Stephanie. So, awesome. I was hooked. I am now reading her book Big Magic. And, of course, I am finding any podcast with her and Brene Brown. I am also reading Brown's book Rising Strong. Over the last few months I have become more aware in being more vulnerable. In doing so, I find that I cry a little more often. Good, right? I am not a pretty crier-not good. Not crying because I am sad, let me just make that clear. But, crying at times when I am so open to someone/something that it's scary. And it is scary right? One doesn't want to feel bad-shame- about sharing something so powerful. Brene has been a great teacher in this. Elizabeth Gilbert has been instrumental to creating magic in my life. Listening to my calling and my creativity. Gilbert also talks about joy. She uses joy instead of the word happiness because it is a deeper rooted word. Try it. Joy brings a deeper connection to whatever you are talking about. And the last few weeks I have had this phrase pop in my head, "I am going to fiercely guard my joy in 2016."
I worked hard in 2015. I accomplished some great goals. I finished my Half Ironman and set a personal best. Considering 3 weeks before that I couldn't get out of bed and was a hot mess health wise. But, I threw caution to the wind and found joy in my bike again and simply getting out of bed. I let the sun hit my face as I went to the Farmers Market and inhaled the day. I think this took the edge off. I also hit some great goals of mine. Big goals. I became sponsored by Rudy Project and Women For Tri Ambassador. Being ambassador allows me to encourage women and promote my sport.
I also hit two other major goals. I was selected to be on Team Betty 2016 (that has other sponsors enrolled with it!) and signed up for my first Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 bike ride and 26.2 mile run).
I only told a few people of the Ironman dream and I didn't tell anyone of the Betty dream. I see these Betty's at races and my friend Stephanie was one and they incorporate hot pink and badassness #BadAssIsBeautiful. So, I was super excited to be on the team. This group of women are kicking ass all over the world. About 3,000 people applied from over the world and only about 250 women were chosen. And I am honored to be selected to this group. They are inspiring and lift you up and share their stories. I didn't think I was chosen and then when this emailed showed up, I squealed!! So honored to represent this team.
You can get awesome Betty Gear as well-check this out!
Betty New Year Goals!!
So, back to joy. Ultimately, we are all responsible to our joy. We own it. That also means you are responsible for letting people try to steal it from you. I have had that recently. In my friends and family. I have a couple of girlfriends who aren't happy for my success, goals (past and present), positive things in my life and have gone out of their way to let me know-either on FB or in interactions. It's hard not to take it personally. It hurt. So many reasons it hurt. I always support them, I thought they were my friends and they are women not supporting other women. Nothing sets me more over the edge than that. I am only competing with the me of yesterday or last year...not you. I reached out to my friend Stephanie who gave me the comfort my heart needed. And she shared this video with me of Brene and Oprah. It is so good. Watch it. I have over and over again. But, here I was letting people steal my joy. I also have a family member that continues to do this. I had already set boundaries with them and the week before Christmas I said what I needed to say. I set the final boundary on my joy. I am not letting them steal it anymore and if others want to continue to let that happen in their relationships with this person, then so be it. But, I also realized that I cannot even listen to how this person is stealing other's joy. I am taking back my joy in these scenarios and fiercely guarding my joy in the future. This does not mean to rude or mean to them at all, but graciously exude joy so much that they can't even touch it. And, when someone tries to steal it with their negativity, jealousy, drama, inner issues...I could keep going...it's not your job to help them find joy and get their shit together. But, it's your job to protect your joy and keep it alive and magical and inhale it. Spread it. As in the interview with Oprah and Brene-"those on your side will do everything they can to help you rise" and in the words of my great friend Stephanie over that conversation "you are going to set 2016 on fire." So, go...be kind...be grateful...be joyous...find your tribe...bring joy..guard your joy...and set 2016 on fire.
