Confidence...it's contagious!

(A pumpkin won't grow unless you plant it!)

Today after teaching my spinning class I was contemplating the great people I get to see each time I teach (mainly women, who are working on becoming better individuals by taking care of themselves). They come from all walks of life, but each of them are out there, doing something about who they are, rather than sitting home and doing nothing.

I've recently had connections with some people who are stuck in a self pity cycle of whoa-is-me... and rather than being sympathetic (which is of coarse what I really try to do when someone is in real need) I have found myself wanting to give them a nudge and say...come on don't be sacred, just get up and do something about it!

I should also note that I really have a zero-tolerance policy on whining...Poppy is the queen of it and it pretty much drives me nuts...so in my effort to get her to talk normally I try to say "Poppy, look at me and talk like a big girl".

This is the message that I want to give to those out there who are struggling or are in need of an extra push...get up and take control of the situation and have confidence in your ability to make the right decision! We truly short-change ourselves when we give insecurities the upper hand. I'm not saying I don't have insecurities...believe me I have a ton! But, the ability to see your weakness and to overcome it is so amazing, the knowledge of what you really can do is so inspiring!

After having all of these thoughts while driving home, I came home to find an email from my good friend Merilee and she included this message to me. I'm grateful to her for her inspired email...

"I sincerely hope you sisters fully understand the greatness of your gifts and talents and how all of you can achieve the 'highest place of honor' in the Church and in the world. One of your unique, precious, and sublime gifts is your femininity, with its natural grace, goodness, and divinity. Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty.

One of your particular gifts is your feminine intuition.
Do not limit yourselves. As you seek to know the will of our Heavenly
Father in your life and become more spiritual, you will be far more
attractive, even irresistible. You can use your smiling loveliness to bless
those you love and all you meet, and spread great joy. Femininity is part
of the God-given divinity within each of you. It is your incomparable
power and influence to do good. You can, through your supernal gifts, bless
the lives of children, women, and men. Be proud of your womanhood. Enhance
it. Use it to serve others."

(James E. Faust "Womanhood: The Highest Place of Honor," Ensign, May 2000, 96)
With this beautiful quote in mind, I want you to try to think of one thing that you have been not doing, but want to. One thing that you are going to set out to conquer...You can leave me a comment if you are willing to divulge such private information, or you can make a mental note to yourself that you will do something and give yourself a deadline.

I find that if I pledge to do something to someone else, then I HAVE to do it. So here it goes, I pledge that I am going to: Paint with confidence! I have some hidden artistic interests that have been weighing on my mind lately. I have these great ideas and then shirk at my ability to actually do them. Deep down I think I can, but I hesitate because of the commitment to the project that is involved. I currently have about three in the works. I will keep you posted on my progress. As a birthday present to myself, I want to have two of the three completed my NOVEMBER 7th!

Change...

Do you ever find yourself at the crossroads of change? Recently (yesterday) after chatting with the boss at the Gym I teach spinning. I discovered that there needs to be a change in my teaching approach and style. She didn't say I needed to, but in an effort to make things more consistent at our gym I have decided that it is the best thing for me to do....
Although I LOVE constructive criticism (mainly because I can't change something if I don't know there is something to change) there is that moment(or longer) when you feel a little exposed and unsure of yourself.
Suddenly you are re-evaluating all of the minor imperfections in the category that need some improvement. You try to reach out for something to justify or embrace the mentality behind the previous choice/technique of teaching.
In looking for ideas I threw my input and questions to a cycling forum...good/bad choice. Now it seems the others find me inexperienced and also critiquing my previous teaching methods...after all they don't really know the whole picture of my teaching...I only gave them the piece I'm working on...they dont see the part where my classes seem to love what I give them and seem to enjoy my teaching styles.
So, basically I threw myself to the dogs in an effort to find ideas and now find myself regretting exposing my weakness to the masses...So why do you ask would I further expose myself to the blog world?
I suppose it is my way of reaching out and putting on paper (so to speak) how hard it is to make a change for good while trying hold on to the pieces I felt were strong and secure.
-Heres one for self improvement!
I'll let you know how it goes...I do like improving and re-inventing myself to become something more...it's just a bit uncomfortable!