Is the work worth it?

I think we all reach a point where start to wonder whether or not we will actually reach whatever goal it is we’ve been striving for. Whether we’re aiming at healthy living, weight loss, opening a business, mending a broken relationship…sooner or later, we start to question whether or not our hard work is going to pay of.

We plateau. We flatten out. We climb and climb and climb, never quite reaching the top, and then trudge along steadily. Never feeling like we’re moving forward. Almost like we’re walking in place.

I’ve been there. Heck, some days I’m still there. Wanting to move forward, feeling driven and propelled to chase down and tackle my life goals and ambitions…only to have the rug yanked out from under me. For me to fall on my face, stumble and end up where I started at.

The husband and I were talking the other day about life and how far our marriage, our family, and our lives in general have come since early 2008 when we set out on this journey together. Most days, it feels like we’ve been together for far longer than three (going on four) years. We hit a pretty big rut during that first year. Financially, emotionally…it was hard. We struggled to get to know each other, adjust to life as husband and wife, a new military family, and find our balance as parents.

2008, despite our wedding and the birth of our son, just wasn’t a good year for us.

2009, was kind of half and half…it had it’s ups and downs, it’s good and bad. Same with 2010.

But 2011, so far, has been pretty great. The husband and I, after spending so much time apart last year, are finding our flow…our rhythm as a couple. We don’t get it all right. We don’t get along all the time…but we’ve made progress.

I think, in the end, that’s what counts.

Whether it’s in life, in marriage or in weight-loss/healthy living…making a conscious effort day in and day out to get to where you want to be is what matters.

Digging and digging, clawing your way from the bottom to the top, no matter what obstacles you encounter and what strongholds you have to face…that’s the aspect of life that builds character. It’s what creates courage, integrity and perseverance.

Even when it feels like I’m taking two steps forward and one step back, I keep pressing on. I keep moving forward.

Because in the end, one way or another, we reach our destination.

It may not be the same destination we had in mind when we started, but we get there…to the place we are supposed to be…the place we need to be, inevitably.

I forgot to weigh this morning before I ate breakfast. And really haven’t slowed down long enough to step on the scale this week. I would guesstimate that I’ve lost maybe a pound, if that. I’ve been under my calorie goal all week. But if you want to see what I’ve been up to this week, make sure you visit Laura @ Mommy Miracles…my lovely co-host and friend. Her blog has a snazzy new look you’ll want to see!

Now it’s your turn! Laura and I are both on a journey toward healthy living and getting fit. And in the process we’re learning to love ourselves and accept who we’ve been created to be. We’d love to have you join us!

Write a post about whatever you want—diet, exercise, healthy habits and choices (whether they pertain to weight-loss or not)…the sky is pretty much the limit, although we do try to focus on healthy lifestyles…whether it be mind, body or soul.

Grab the button and include it in your post, then link up below and visit around. Encouragement is the key to success! We hope you’ll join us!