Top 10 Fitness Commandments #6: Want what you seek.

The phrase, “Be careful what you wish for” is something that became very real to me while I was living in Ohio. When I moved out to Ohio for physical therapy school, I had moved into an apartment that I simply did not enjoy. It was loud, door slammed, there was dog feces all over the grounds, I could hear neighbors yelling, other neighbors would litter cigarettes butts, and everyday a fire truck siren would sing past my window. Inside the apartment, the floors where uneven, the caulking in the bathroom was done as if someone had no skill set for caulking, and the running joke with my mother and I was that I continually found bobby pins in the carpet almost up until I moved out. But the one thing that this apartment had was the hot water was hot and the cold water was cold. The dishwasher worked, I had electricity and most importantly and most affectionately to me, my dog Peanut was happy and healthy! Despite my own frustrations, nothing seemed to bother him and together we had some cozy and happy days and nights. Add to it, I was succeeding in my first year of physical therapy school! That didn’t mean I didn’t want to leave, I did. I wanted into a nicer, better place where I did not have to deal with what I considered to be extraneous distractions.

Even though I did not want to live in this apartment another year, I did really enjoy the neighborhood and found another, newer apartment just a few minutes away that upon my current lease coming due, I was able to move into a newer and nicer place. It was in a quieter neighborhood and Peanut and I still had access to parks and walk paths. My wish of getting out of the old place and into a new place finally came to. But at an unseen expense. About three months later into this new apartment, Peanut was diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF). We battled this diagnosis the rest of the way through physical therapy school and I did everything I could to keep him as safe as I could but still let him be a happy dog.

The life I had with Peanut, most especially while living in Ohio taught me the values of sticking to a plan, following through despite adversity, cherish the moments you have when you have them, and to live in the moment. When you set out for something, it may not go as smooth as you planned or hoped but don’t quit. I suppose I could have given in when he got sick however finishing would be a way to honor him. All those nights he sat next to me while I studied, would go in vein had I quit or given in. I kept my focus on my plan of becoming a physical therapist. This does not mean to not focus on other things, especially family, friends, and pets but allow them to come for the ride! Don’t given in and continue to seek out what you want!

Action Step:

Think about what it is that you want.

Share it with someone.

Act on it.