If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you

I just got a t-shirt from a 10-week workout group that I'm doing with the phrase "If it doesn't challenge you it doesn't change you" on the front of it. Okay, I get it. Life is not always sugar plums and fairy dust-seems lately it is seldom, if ever, this. Most of the time it seems to be tough and stressful. I see this in almost every aspect of life lately. I get it now. Someone seems to think I need to change. I need to be challenged. I get it.

But what I don't get is why? I know, I know. God is trying to push, pull or lead me to something better. And yes, I'm probably bitching, dragging my feet, digging my claws in, all to resist whatever it is I'm suppose to be moving on to. I like change in small doses. Moderation.

But what I don't get is the challenges. I'm happy just to do my thing and putter away with life. Hills are a challenge which often give me shin splints, but it's the mountains in life that I'm not sure I can handle. Adventures are great. But the constant challenges, stress and someone not always happy with me stinks. I guess I didn't know I was here to make everyone happy-I'm not. I know, I need to meet challenges head on, okay, I try. The stress just plain is not good-it takes it's toll on a body-I'm living proof of this. I'm tired of the self-center people in life who think it should be all about them-it should be about everyone. I'm tired of the people who only want to be around for the good, hear the good and ignore or don't respond to the bad-I guess I need to make some changes-thus the challenges? 

But going back to the title of this blog, If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you....I try to meet challenges head on, I deal with them daily. And I HOPE the change is for the good. Although I do get to the point at times where I question the changes. Life should be more fun, less stress and unhappiness.

Maybe I'm taking this all too literally, maybe it's just a t-shirt to motivate me to workout, get healthy, take care of myself and do more. But honestly I can't help but wonder if it is sign to plow forward into the challenges and the people who challenge me because when I come out on the other side I will be a changed person, a change for the better.

I'd better change and either hit the treadmill or go for a walk....I need the think time. I know I won't walk or run any mountains this morning but maybe the hills are enough to challenge me.

Positive thought of the day: Keep moving forward and stop looking behind. You can't drive forward while looking in your rearview mirror, it just doesn't work.