Wisdom in Emerson

Quotes are wonderful things. Did you ever come across one that really resonated with you? This morning as I was looking for quotes for my final masters assignment I found this one:

"Don't waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

In the past I was the worst at sabotaging my own health. Eating everything in plain sight, exercising sporadically, and indulging on all the things that I wanted. It's funny, because I lost sight of my vision of what I truly wanted. To be healthy, and happy. These impulse indulgences drew me further and further away from my goal for myself. It was like I doubted or feared my ability to achieve it. Coupled by comments from others like "you'll never be thin because you are so big boned", or "you really don't have a runner's body" added doubt in my head, and I stopped believing in myself. It was like something in my head said, "If I can't be a runner, I'll eat Ben and Jerry's".

For the last month I have been wrestling with fear and doubt about completing my final masters assignment. When I read Emerson's quote, I laughed out loud, and the fear and doubt instantly dissipated. I had wasted a month not believing in my abilities to finish it, and fearing that when the program is all over I will have lost something I truly cherished. I've lost nothing. I'm standing at the gateway to an exciting new path.

I have come full circle. I have such belief in my abilities to achieve my goals, and the strength that runs through my veins every day helps me make positive choices to get to where I need to be. They are small steps in preparation for the hours and ages to come.

Thanks Emerson.