Taking Action

The Commercial

Do you remember the commercial? The one where a group of high school senior girls are primping their hair in the mirror and at the opposite end a sink is filling up with running water? Everyone keeps looking at the sink, the running water, at each other and this goes on for a few seconds. All of a sudden another girl emerges from the bathroom stall and without hesitation walks to the sink and turns off the running water. I don’t even remember what the commercial was for but her actions left an indelible mark. It only took one person to make a change, to take action. By taking action she would affect her life and countless others.

Where Do You Start?

I’ll bet there was a moment before you decided to lose weight or keep it off for good that you spoke to yourself about how you were going to begin. How you were going to take action. Yes, even after the weight is gone you need a plan. You have to start somewhere. Your life will continue to evolve and everything you do will affect something you were doing and things will have to change to keep you on course. You may have to start over.

A True Story

I remember when I first took action. I was standing in my kitchen looking at vacation photos reveling over the fun we had just experienced. Rather than being happy I was overcome by sadness. I looked at a close-up of my kids and me waiting undercover for the rain to pass over at Universal Studios. I didn’t recognize that person standing next to them. It was me of course. I was disgusted with myself for losing control of my health and weight.

At that moment by some divine intervention the person who would change my life was on Good Morning America. His name was Jorge Cruise and his plan was exactly what I was looking for. That day I never looked back and started a lifelong journey to get fit and feel healthy again. I took action that very moment. I purchased his book and that afternoon started reading what would become my new lifestyle. My friends Alyce and Grace cheered me on and gave me encouragement to keep going. I’ll never forget how important that was to the whole process. Suddenly, things began to take shape and I could see myself enjoying life again.

Never Looking Back

There are so many times I look back and realize how important it was. I made a quick decision to look forward instead of looking at the past or remaining where I was. Something was pushing me. I realized that by taking action I was progressing. Whether or not I would fail didn’t cross my mind. Like the countless other attempts I had made to lose weight this time I gave myself permission to try my best and not stress over any failures.

What's Stopping You?

Think of all the times you took action. Why were you afraid? Were you afraid of the outcome? It may be extending the proverbial olive branch to a friend or family member, deciding to finish school, to start a family, to change jobs, to introduce yourself to new people, to lend a helping hand even when you know your time has already been overextended. Something changed inside of you or someone helped give you that extra shove you needed to do what was necessary. A light bulb went off in your head. Call it what you like. You knew deep down inside a change was forthcoming and necessary. Only you could make it work. Only you could take action. We have no idea what lies ahead. It’s quick and full of surprises.

Wise Words

I think Paula Deen summed it up well on a recent Oprah episode when she talked about her hardships and how she had gotten to where she is today. “There’s no sin in failing, there’s only sin in never trying.” Taking Action is trying and knowing that you made that effort. So, which person are you? Will you watch the running water? Or will you emerge and turn the faucet off? How will you take action today?

A quick note to my readers:
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