Consistency

I knew I needed to take a walk, move, exercise of any kind. I had been not taking walks for a week just because of being busy and tired from moving and vacation. This one day in particular I was leaning over to put my shoes on for the day's tasks and errands and I look up to see my adorable dogs, Bagel and Ginger staring at me with that familiar "look" which says to me, "take me, take me!" I just wasn't in the mood for a longer walk especially with these two pups who are notorious for their barking and pulling on the lease which makes it not so fun.
 After declining my pup's invitation for a walk, I finally talked myself into exercise for the day and I hopped on my treadmill. Although the machine was now in the most uninspiring room of the house, the dark, dingy and a clutter filled garage, I convinced myself enough to do it.  I start out on the treadmill at about 2.5 speed with no incline, just because of how I was feeling and my hip was acting up. I actually started to feel bad about myself and how I wasn't really challenging myself this day and staying so safe and not very athletic.
As I stood there walking on at this low but consistent pace of 2.5 speed something hit me, an epiphany, a light bulb moment you can call it. I realized that even though I was going at a safe and slow pace, I was at least walking and being consistent and was "doing it"! I did have the choice like many other mornings to not exercise at all, and I was on the treadmill longer than normal, yes it was a slower pace but the consistency was there, my motivation increased and I was going longer and stronger and I ended up increasing my speed and having a great time for about 45 minutes.
With anything at all we sometimes just need to start somewhere, anywhere. I think we have too many distractions in this day with other people's posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram always seeing others do this and that and we compare ourselves and their progress instead of tracking our own. I think the key to success in many areas of our goals and life is one key word; CONSISTENCY, not speed after all, this is not a race to compete with others.

I think being consistent in anything and everything is key to success in your daily life. Remember the Story of The Tortoise And The Hair. "Slow and Steady wins the race." When you think about that Aesop's fable, we can take a lot from it to apply to our lives. The Tortoise wasn't concerned about what others around him thought. He was consistent and steady.

The Need for Self-Discipline-1 Cor 9:24

 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.