“I am not _________ enough.”
As you read the statement above, what word did you use to fill in the blank? Fast? Pretty? Strong? Smart? Courageous? Handsome? Fit? Or did you just remove the blank altogether? However you may have said the statement, I have one thing to tell you.
You are wrong.
Workout after workout, meeting after meeting, day after day, and fail after fail, I tend to find myself always having the same initial thought… Well, I am just not [insert positive adjective] enough. But why? Why do I bring myself down as soon as something doesn’t go how I planned? Why do I shed such a negative light on myself first rather than thinking about what I did do well and how I could do better in the future? And while I may be sharing this experience as a personal anecdote, I have a good feeling many of you reading this blog have experienced this sentiment at least once. So I’m writing this to tell myself and you one thing.
I was wrong.
November Project is a place where any personality, any fitness level, any background, any baggage is enough. There are no minimums. There are no requirements. The only thing we ask you to do is just show up. That is enough. Today we asked you to run the stairs, do as many circuits as possible, and hold a wall sit for a lot longer than most people would ever want to hold a wall sit. However many laps you may have completed and however many seconds you stayed seated against that wall, I hope you know that it was enough. Maybe next time you’ll do more, maybe less, but either way, your best effort is good enough for us.
But why are some of us only living our lives with this mentality for one hour, up to three times a week? Who says you aren’t ___ enough to accomplish your goals? Whether it may be running a marathon, standing up to your boss, presenting a project, asking the tough questions, expressing how you really feel, I am telling you that you are enough.
You are strong & fit enough to run a marathon.
You are worth enough to stand up to your boss.
You are smart enough to present that project.
You are important enough to ask the tough questions.
You are courageous enough to express how you really feel.
So stop letting the “nots” determine whether you are enough. We are here to remind you every day, not just Monday, Wednesday and Friday, that in this crazy life, you are fucking beautiful and smart and strong and worth the world. Enjoy every moment; keep your chin up and smile big; fail but don’t feel ashamed about those failures; accept defeat and celebrate victory; just show up.
But more than anything, remember this every day: you are enough.
And I am so glad you are here. Go win your day, NOLA.
ANNOUNCENMENTS
- AUGUST CALENDAR: goo.gl/gcfSSQ
- 31 BURPEE CHALLENGE – hold yourself accountable and do 31 burpees each day in August.
- Fridays at the Lakefront, Shelter 1 – 6am
- First Monday of the month – City Park Practice Track, 6am
- BABY CAKES SOCIAL – AUGUST 17th. INFO HERE: Facebook Post
