Growth

I was reminded of this picture last week. It popped up in my “On This Day” Apple-generated album on my phone. ⁣

At first, it meant nothing. I kinda giggled at the time knowing that during this picture - our pup had just come down the stairs to take a surprise 💩 just beyond the selfie frame. (To no surprise - my workout was cut short due to immediate & necessary puppy-parenting duties.)⁣ ⁣ Anyways, not the point.⁣ ⁣ As I began to think back at this time, I started to get upset. I thought back at how physically strong I was here, how disciplined I was with my diet & routine, how far I could run, how healthy my skin looked - how healthy I looked.⁣ ⁣ I began to compare every aspect of who she was - to everything I am now. ⁣ And it quickly sent me down a rabbit hole of doom & gloom. ⁣ ⁣ Y’all know how we do that.⁣ Do you ever look at pictures & think “Why the heck did I think I was fat then??? I would give anything to look like this now!”⁣ ⁣ To me, it’s proven time & time again that it was never about what my body looked like - it was always about how I THOUGHT about what my body looked like. ⁣ ⁣ In life, we have seasons of growth physically, mentally, spiritually & emotionally. But often, not all at once. As life changes, so do our priorities. And that’s not entirely a bad thing. ⁣ ⁣ This season of my life looks drastically different than it did in this season.⁣ ⁣ My body doesn’t look like this anymore.⁣ And that’s OKAY. ⁣ The growth & strength I’ve developed this season, doesn’t come in the form of toned muscle. And I’m learning to thank my body for that. ⁣ ⁣ It’s been through a lot this year.⁣ Yours has too.⁣ What is yours giving you today that it couldn’t a year ago? Ten years ago? ⁣ ⁣ Maybe it’s a kiddo, an educational degree, a relationship, renewed faith, sharpened skills, a new job, courage, grace...⁣ ⁣ Growth isn’t only physical. And we might miss it entirely if we are too consumed with the shape our bodies come in. ⁣ ⁣ Let’s be proud of where we are today & the progress we’ve been making. In a year, I think we’ll be thankful we were.