I’m sitting at Starbucks drinking coffee and had planned to work on my next course on naturally overcoming polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) but I’ve decided to pause for a few and write this blog. This Instagram post triggered something in me. Or, maybe it’s the fact that I’m jamming out to “Cobrastyle”….either way! (Random thought: I should totally make a Primal Potential playlist on Spotify…..)
I posted this pic on Instagram outlining the major mindset and dietary changes I made when I switched from my yo-yo dieting life to a sustainable fat loss lifestyle I love.
One sweet friend commented, “You’re a warrior princess Elizabeth” and I thought, “Yes. Yes, I want to be a freakin’ warrior.” I want to fight for my very best life AND enjoy the journey! Wait….I am a warrior.
Of course I went to Dr. Google: “What is a warrior?” Blah, blah, blah. The first few results didn’t move me. And then I came across an excerpt from “War and the Soul” by Edward Tick and it was so all-encompassing. Ready for it?
The ideal warrior is assertive, active and energized. He or she is clear-minded, strategic and alert. A warrior uses both body and mind in harmony and cooperation. A warrior is disciplined. A warrior utilizes both his own resources and skills and those arrayed against him. A warrior is a servant of civilization and its future, guiding, protecting and passing along information and wisdom…A warrior knows how precious and fragile life is and does not abuse or profane it.
I’m a firm believer in Gretchen Rubin’s philosophy that we need to act the way we want to feel. I can’t possibly mope through my days feeling sorry for myself and wake up a warrior. I have to choose my focus every day. I have to wake up determined to fight for the life I want.
Because that’s the secret: We can have the life we want. We can have the life we dream of. The determining factor: the work we’re willing to do. The strength of our will. The duration of our consistency. The action behind our hope.
I’m not going to wish for my dream body. I’m not going to wish for the success of my business. I’m not going to wish for anything. I’m going to work for it. I’m going to work for it when I want to and when I don’t. I’m going to work for ESPECIALLY when I don’t want to. Because that’s the difference between my life as a warrior and my life as a dreamer: what I do when I don’t feeling like doing the work.
I’m human. I’m a warrior in training. There are days I want to sleep in. Days I want to skip my workout. Days I want to eat ice cream and watch Netflix. Of course. But. I am a warrior in training. And this isn’t a sacrifice. This isn’t some burden to bear. This isn’t some sacrifice I make to live the life I want.
This is a gift. This is my greatest blessing, being a warrior.
A warrior isn’t at the whim of desire or temptation. A warrior is strong. A warrior is focused. I am strong. I am focused.
A warrior is NOT a martyr.
Enjoying the journey is critical. I will not be a martyr. To look at temptation and feel like you’re missing out or like “it’s not fair” is to imply that striving to create your best life is some kind of punishment or sacrifice. It’s not. It’s freedom. It’s opportunity. It’s happiness. Perspective makes all the difference here. And that’s YOUR choice in every moment.
A warrior doesn’t resent the journey. A warrior doesn’t resent the fact that they battle. They love it. It’s who they are and who they are proud to be. A warrior doesn’t hang his head in frustration or grow weary. A warrior embraces challenge. That’s what it meant to be a warrior. Eagerly fighting for what is worth it. I am worth it. My best life is worth it. That’s why I’m a warrior.
What does it mean to you to be a warrior?