Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.

What a week! This has been a very trying week for me on so many levels. But through it all, my Gurlz have been AMAZING!!! I can't help but think of when we started this, we never knew what Fitopia Gurlz would come to mean to us. As I think about the conversations we have had over the last couple of months and the time we have spent together exercising, laughing and having fun, our relationships  are growing and going deeper than what we have experienced in the past. Our county has faced a major tragedy and it has affected everyone who lives here in one way or another. For me it has hit a little closer to home because of those involved. My gurlz have been such a beautiful source of strength, love, and support. Praying for me, sending me words of encouragement, texting me, emailing me and just stopping in to give me a hug. I am reminded of the scripture Romans 12:15, Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. We have definitely rejoiced together but this week has been a time of mourning and they have walked this out with me as they too have felt the effects of this tragedy. 

There have been a couple things I have learned during this time...

1.  If your hurting and struggling it is important to reach out to those who are around  you and let them know. I remember the President of my college use to say "Don't suffer in silence" (Dr. Don Meyer). I kept hearing that gentle reminder as the tragedy of the week unfolded. I had to make the effort of letting my Gurlz know where I was at. 
2.  One quick way to make yourself feel better is to help someone else feel better. I had that opportunity this week when I received a call from one of my little brothers while he was on the school bus. He wanted to know if he could come and hang out with me that evening because he had a hard day and was feeling really sad and knew I could cheer him up (if that doesn't make a big sisters heart melt). In my own grief, I seriously did not know how I was going to do that but I would never refuse his request. The only thing I could think of was, LORD HELP! I picked him up. made a healthy dinner (which he loved by the way) and as I made dinner he hung out with me in my kitchen and we talked about this tragedy that occurred. We took turns expressing how we felt about it while the other one listened. It is one of those bittersweet moments for me. So happy that he chose me to be with and talk to but so sad that at his age he has had to experience this tragedy. He is one special young man, I was so proud to hear his heart of compassion as he expressed his thoughts. 
3. CHOOSING to not let my emotions sabotage my healthy food choices and exercise habits. This became a serious challenge for me. I have been an emotional eater as far back as I could remember. I ate because I was happy, I ate because I was sad and needed comfort. This tragedy evoked in me the latter. As I told my Gurlz in a personal note, I have never wanted to reach for my beloved french fries and Doritos more. It was seriously a struggle! It forced me to reevaluate what I really wanted, the food or comfort, they are two different things. I realized that what I really needed was comfort so that is when I reached out to my Gurlz to let them know I was struggling and I was met with so much love. It filled me and has lasted so much longer than the fries or Doritos ever could. Through God's grace I continued to press through without giving in to the old habit of finding comfort in food. Thank you, LORD!!!! That's another victory for you and me :0)
4. Choosing to to be proactive in lifting my mood and relieving the stress of the situation through exercise... it really works! I had heard that exercise relieves stress and releases the "feel good" chemicals in our brains to help us feel better. "They" suggest to people who are struggling with depression to exercise for the natural release of these chemicals in the brain. I have started a regular exercise regime but the temptation to forgo it, was SUPER STRONG... I just didn't feel like it. This honestly is where the "rubber meets the road" so to speak. My new healthy life style has to flow into every area of my life including thinking and doing what I know to do even when everything within me wants to revert back to the way it was... So back to my little brother being over. I decided that after our healthy dinner  we were going to exercise too.  He was game! So that's what we did for the next hour and a half. We made the workout fun and when it was all said and done, we were feeling pretty good. Plus, it wore him out for a better nights sleep :0) When I went to take him back home he expressed how much better he was feeling and thanked me for the AWESOME dinner (his words) and for the fun workout. He also said AGAIN  he knew that I could cheer him and how much he loved me and how much fun he always has when he comes over to my house. Talk about someone feeling really good!!!

This week has shown me beyond the shadow of a doubt that what we have in place right now with Fitopia Gurlz is so much more than just workout buddies. Like I mentioned before, we our growing in so many ways, emotionally, relationally, mentally and spiritually as we continue to shrink physically! I love this group of Gurlz more than words can say. They are beautiful inside and out and I am so proud to call each one my friend. Each one of them radiates a beauty so uniquely their own, breathtakingly exquisite!

Thank you, Fitopia Gurlz
Love you bunches,
Becky

Chardon- ONE HEARTBEAT- Once a Hilltopper, ALWAYS a Hilltopper!!!! Love you and am praying for you!!!