True Happiness

Ever wish you had a different situation? Ever think that your life is unfair? Ever wish that you had what someone else had? Have you ever said, "I would be so much happier if..." I know I have said and asked these questions multiple times throughout life. However, I recent article made me realize a really important lesson and I would like to share it with you:

"Contentment is choosing to be happy with life as it is. The mistake most people make is deciding they'll be happy if some things change. What they don't realize is that some things can't be changed and others, when they do change, don't bring the expected happiness. That is because real happiness isn't imposed on a person, it is what a person decides to be -- regardless of what happens around him.

And really, you aren't happy with yourself, and you need to be. You've got a lot going for you. But you blind yourself to them because you constantly compare yourself and your life to other people. You don't really see other people's lives -- you only see the surface. Because of that things look better to you than they really are. Thus, you compare your life to something that isn't real, and make yourself unhappy.

No one's life is perfect. Perfect lives don't come until heaven. But it doesn't mean you can't learn to enjoy life anyway. "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13)."

Love who you are and where you are at...And also where others are at

Okay, we can all admit that at one point in time, we have wished to have what others around have. Being competitively natured it is only natural for us to feel this initial feeling. It is hard when we work really hard, are very disciplined, or dress up cute and we do not get attention for it. Sometimes it feels like everyone else around us is constantly getting the attention.

This can place a human being in a very dangerous place- It can cause jealousy and unthankfulness for one's current situation... Being jealous will only cause passive aggressive behavior and unthankfulness for our current situation causes us to become insecure. These are two realms that can be hard to overcome; however, with the right amount of mind and heart pressure, we can overcome this natural tendency if we train it to.

One thing that I have learned is realize that there is NO SUCH THING as perfect timings or formulas. I HAD to get over that because every person has a different formula and time that works for them. For example, it may be some girls' time to have a serious boyfriend or even be engaged. It may be some other girls' time to be the best at her sport. It may also be another girls' formula to act, eat, and dress a certain way.

It is important for us not to try and jump on another person's timeline. We have our own and we need to appreciate where we are at and where we are going... Otherwise we will never be happy and we will be MEAN GRUMPY GIRLS! We also need to appreciate where others are at. We should be happy for them that their time has come and that a formula works for them.

Keep your head up and keep on your own timeline and concoct your own formula. Be confident in that and you will be more happy.

Clip Ins

I just bought my new clip in pedals for my road bike! I LOVE my road bike and I cannot wait to ride it...except there is one problem. I am deathly afraid of using clip ins.

The reason? Because when you wear clips ins, you have to think differently in order to get out. You must be instinctive to point your toe down, twist your ankle outward, and yank it out. You would think that this would be easy and maybe it is for some people....NOT FOR ME!

AH! You guys should have seen the hott mess I was with my dad trying to learn how to utilize these clips ins. My dad took me to a grass field saying, "Now, I want you to learn here, because you will fall." And for 1/2 an hour  fell over, and over, and over, and over. It was pretty embarrassing considering the fact that I am 23 years old and people driving by were probably thinking it was hilarious that a grow girl was falling like a 5 year old.

I wanted to give up so many times but my dad would not let me. Which I am so glad about. He pointed out that this is something new and with anything new it is not easy. It will not be perfect, and sometimes it hurts. But you GET BACK UP and command what you want.

I think this is a good parallel to life- you fall again and again but you GET BACK UP because the ride of life is so much greater and so worth all those falls.

Embrace: Hold (someone) closely in one's arms, esp. as a sign of affection

Yesterday at an event that I went to, I ran into a couple of people that I knew. It was great to see them but there was something that was missing when I interacted with a couple of them...I found out what it was when I hugged my grandma. When my grandma hugged me, she REALLY hugged me. Those other people were only half heartedly hugging me and that is what was missing from the interaction.

Once I realized that, I started to observe the crowd. I noticed that SO many people half heartedly hug or half heartedly listen to one another. I don't know what has happened to our generation but half hearted actions have become the norm. It is almost like we are just going the motions rather than sincerely taking the time to absorb and be with one another in that moment.

Its like that with life too- sometimes we just go through the motions we are not "closely" holding onto every present moment. Rather, we are thinking forwards or backwards- racing to the next milestone. But I have found that this only leads to a voided life. You can race to the next milestone but won't find anything because you have missed so much along the way.

My point is this- start really EMBRACING your life. EMBRACE. Meaning, closely hold onto and cherish every hug, every kiss, every phone conversation, every run, every project... if you don't you will miss so much.

Go genuinely hug three people today and you will notice a huge difference.

Setting myself free...

"What’s going on inside of you, Jay? What are you afraid of? You’ve got a chance to change everything. Take it. This is about more than just surfing. This is about choices you make in life. This is about finding that one thing that sets you free. You need to believe in yourself or none of this matter"- Chasing Mavericks

No one ever tells you how hard it will be to leave something that you love...whether it be a person, job, or sport no one tells you the truth or they do not know the truth. When I left my comfort zone of a team and a sport that I loved and entered the real world, I made the mistake of thinking that everything could stay the same.

By this I mean that I thought I would have the same comfort of a team and that I could still train as hard as I did in college. Well, the real world taught me really fast, that those days are over and that if I try to do real world things AND all the things I used to do, I will run myself into the ground. It was no one's fault but my own that I drove myself into a saddened state where I could not find happiness anywhere.

I was chaining myself to the past and what was or maybe chaining myself to a false future on what I thought "should be." But after reconnecting with some valuable friends of mine I soon realized that I need to unchain myself and be free. In order to do this, I needed to find what would set me free- which is a challenge in itself. I was too stubborn for a long time to admit that I was not happy and too stubborn to try and discover something else that might make me happy.

I am still searching...but I think that I am very close. I have realized that the memories of my past and the moments of competing are still here with me- they have not gone anywhere. I have realized that I have a very bright future and it can go anywhere- Initially, I only saw a narrow road but when I opened my eyes I saw that there were multiple wide roads to travel. Not everything has to be planned, not everything has to have an answer, not everything has to go right...

The other day I rushed out of work to get in a quick run before the sun went down. I was in such a rush that I forgot my watch. My initial reaction was to race back to my apartment and grab my watch so that I could time myself. But then, I looked at the sunset and it was just so pretty and calling me towards it that I just said, "Screw the watch." And you know what? It was the best run I ever had. I don't know how long or how far that I went and I don't care.

The best part about my life right now is that I have a great past as a foundation for an awesome future that I have NO CLUE about...I would LIKE to compete in a triathlon next year, I would LIKE to find a boyfriend soon, I would LIKE to continue to find success in my job but none of this is for sure. Things always change in life. But one thing is for sure and that is LIVING- the act of LIVING is just being alive and not chaining myself to wants, needs, wishes, or desires. These are all idols and are dead things.

Like I said the first day I started this, once I fall I ALWAYS get back up. So here I am today, picking myself back up. Watch out world, Alexa is on both feet again. Will you join me in standing up and unchaining yourself from whatever is holding you back?

Sorry about the length...but I needed to say it. I love you guys.