Hey there ,

This week marks 10 weeks since I began day trading and working out consistently. I would love to tell you that I’ve lost lots of weight and have made tons of money. That isn’t the case.

Today while I was working out, God whispered to me, “Why is it that I have so much patience for you [to walk in the correct path] but you don’t want to extend any patience to yourself? Talk about a shot to the chest (insert a laugh to keep from crying).

The truth is, we live in a fast-paced, performance-based “microwave” society. It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in wanting to work extremely hard for instantaneous results in our pursuits.

But like most things, fast doesn’t always mean better.

Romans 5:3 says, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance."

I’m learning that the patience and endurance part of the scripture also applies to our personal pursuit of progress. Progress is not linear, nor can it always be results-driven. Sometimes we have to suffer through “not feeling” like doing whatever it is that’s necessary to move forward and continue to show up over and over. With that, it’s also okay to do a little- enough to get by, as you give yourself grace in the process.

Your best will vary based on the circumstances of your environment. Some days, the best I can do is a one-hour workout, and on other days, a 10-minute dance party with the kids is all I have. In both instances, I did the best I could, learning how to give myself grace and be patient along the way.

I would encourage you to apply these principles to your own journey of progress. Be it a change in your eating habits, deciding to exercise, read more, or even a change in career. Give yourself a chance to move, remembering to be patient, and grace yourself along the way. One day, possibly before you realize it, you’ll look up, and though you may not be fully at your destination, you’ll be incredibly happy you started when you did.

Until Next time...

Arica