Farewell 2014

Farewell 2014: Lessons and Resolutions

There are just a few days left to reflect on 2014 and make resolutions for 2015; if you’re into resolutions. As I began to think about my final article for the year my initial thought was “Farewell 2014…You Sucked”, however, as I began to think about all that has taken place I realize that it really didn’t suck at all. As a matter of fact, 2014 was a year filled with blessings, life lessons and a whole lotta love.

The Dalai Lama once said: “Hardship, in forcing us to exercise greater patience and forbearance in daily life, actually makes us stronger and more robust. From the daily experience of hardship comes a greater capacity to accept difficulties without losing our sense of inner calm. Of course, I do not advocate seeking out hardship as a way of life, but merely wish to suggest that, if you relate to it constructively, it can bring greater inner strength and fortitude.”

Much like the Dalai Lama I do not advocate seeking out hardships but in the event that they appear I believe facing them head on with the willingness to find the positives in each one will bring about great lessons, inner peace and an enriched life. For example, with my weight loss journey I have met it head on and am now 90 pounds lighter, wearing clothes that are five sizes smaller, my pants have zippers, my shirts fit on hangers without falling off and I feel better than I have in twenty years! Going through the anxiety of food addiction wanting desperately to climb into the pantry and eat everything in sight at times, I realize I have the strength to walk away and make healthy choices and conquer the illness that had weighed me down for much of my adult life. The transformation to becoming Karla 2.0 (K2) has at times nearly knocked me off of my feet but through prayer, supportive family and friends and my own determination I am well on my way.

I recently read about a father who in trying to encourage his daughter shared with her the story of a potato, an egg and coffee. The father placed three pots of water on the stove to boil. In the first pot he placed the potato, the egg in the second and coffee in the third. After twenty minutes he turned off the burner and put the potato and the egg each in a bowl and ladled the coffee in a cup. He asked his daughter what she saw. Her answer was simple: “a potato, an egg and coffee” He told her to look closer and touch the potato. She noted it was soft. She took the egg and broke it and observed that it had gotten hard. She sipped the coffee and smiled at the taste and the aroma. Confused she asked her father what it all meant. He explained that the potato, the egg and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity-the boiling water. However, each one reacted differently. The potato went in strong, hard and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard. However, the ground coffee beans were unique as they changed the water and created something new.

In each difficult situation we are faced with we must decide if we are like the potato when in the heat of the moment turns soft and falls apart, the egg that becomes stronger or the coffee that turns into something else altogether . Sometimes I believe that certain situations require us to become softer, more compassionate. Having the ability to reach out and share ourselves in love and acceptance is vital not only to others but to ourselves. Like the egg that turns solid, we also need to learn to stand our ground when faced with challenges. Learning to stand firm and not lose sight of who we are or what we believe is just as important as our potato moments. The transformation of the coffee beans I believe is simply the icing on the cake of life. Enriching the lives of others will in fact enrich our own. In life, things happen all around us, things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is how we choose to react and what we make out of it. Life is about learning, adopting and converting our struggles into something positive.

As you prepare to bid farewell to 2014 I encourage you to reflect and find the silver lining in the tough stuff that clouded your sunny days. Make a list of lessons you learned from the struggles that you overcame. Make a resolution to face the obstacles that the new year will bring (because it will) head on with the determination to come through each one learning lessons that will bring about great joy and peace in your life and the lives of those around you. For me, I will continue to work toward improved health and fitness as well as deepening my faith journey and my walk with my Creator.

I thank each of you for continuing to support me through this writing adventure. To my family and close friends who share ideas, tolerate my many questions, proof read my posts, encourage and love me thank you from the bottom of my heart. Farewell 2014…you did not suck. In fact you were the best teacher yet. Hello 2015! I hope you are ready because K2 and company is on the move!

Peace,
Karla

I think we all need a touch point a place we can go to be inspired. Karla is my children’s teacher, a good friend, and a person with a heart of gold. I hope that her words will inspire you to do more. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. It is important to listen with your heart and proceed with your eyes open. Enjoy!

Read more Karla’s Korner, also please visit Karla’s Lifetime Moms page and read her articles.

Check out Karla’s 24 Day Advocare Challenge!

Find out how Karla transformed her life and lost over 80 lbs.. it all started with Advocare!