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I joined the Fit Dish Link-Up a few weeks ago and I happy to be back again. The topics are really thought-provoking and start a great discussion. This week’s topic: Write a personal manifesto.
Immediately it sounded daunting. I googled other manifestos admittedly hoping to find one that fit me. I didn’t want mine to be “wrong.”
First mistake: trying to take the easy way out.
Second mistake: thinking what I believe is wrong.
Third mistake: looking outside of myself for the answer. Why did I need validation?
I thought about all the quotes, sayings and mantras that I’ve heard and I was drawn to my yoga studio. Quotes fill the walls, flyers, and apparel and instructors read from inspirational books during savasana. Yet none have stuck with me as much as one short, simple declaration. Trust that where you are now is exactly where you are meant to be.
Pretty powerful, right? It is applicable to so many different aspects of life…career, relationships, personal success, where you live, fitness, age, etc.
I remind myself of this when I start comparing my journey to that of others. My past didn’t mess me up or ruin what could have been. There is no “right” place and I’m constantly a work in progress – which is good! I want to grow. As much as the future excites and scares me, I should not dismiss this or any time of my life. Every chapter is crucial to the rest of my story.
During the first two years of college I just wanted it to end. I wanted to move on and enter the “real world.” I constantly thought there was some place better for me or that another school, city or career would have made me happier. But now, I realize just how important it was/is to have this experience. Honestly, leaving would have been the easy way out. The fact that I stayed and learned from the challenges shows that any experience, good or bad, forms who we are. And who we are is pretty awesome.
If Oprah says it, do you believe it now? Source
As a few new challenges lie ahead of me I’m focusing on respecting and appreciating the journey. Whether I enjoy the experience or not, 9.5 times out of 10 it will teach me something valuable. I may envy other people’s journey’s from the surface, but mine is special and meant for me. As your journey is for you and her journey is for her, etc. Own this time of your life and have faith that you’ll be just fine.
That was a lot of deep and somewhat random talk for me but Jill was right, doing this adds some perspective. As naive as it sounds to write a manifesto, it really serves a good purpose.
What quote do you live by?
Have you written your personal manifesto?
I had trouble starting with mine too! Trusting where you are is definitely a very powerful one (and so hard to do sometimes!)–I love that it’s applicable to all aspects of life!
Mine would be “Live life with no regrets,” because I feel that it aptly encompasses everything I want to do with my life. :]
Farrah recently posted…Write A Manifesto
That is a wonderful manifesto. It definitely signals that you want to live life to the fullest :)
I can’t say enough how much I loved reading this! Your words are exactly what I had in mind as the point of this topic. One day we’ll have to chat about comparing out journey to others.
#fitfamlove
jill conyers recently posted…5 Life Quotes That Will Inspire You To Live Your Dreams
Thank you for providing such a great topic for the link-up!
I love the quotes you chose. Your journey is yours alone! When I started thinking about my manifesto it was all about being Real in love, life and food :)
Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…Let’s be Real
Thanks so much! I LOVE your manifesto..it’s so encompassing and just how I want to live, too.
Your manifesto may just be my manifesto :) I agree that trusting the journey is the most important part, and that wherever we are, we’re there for a reason…which takes a lot of worry away!
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…Mattress Sledding + A Salty Speed Workout
By all means, take it as your own :) :) I agree, knowing that we are on our journey for a reason takes a lot of worry away. Just have to have some faith.
I loooove that quote about where you are is exactly where you need to be. I first heard it in a yoga class a few months back, and it’s stuck with me ever since.
think that is such a positive and amazing outlook to have, Emily. We sometimes spend too much time wishing we were in a different time in our lives, and in the meantime we “waste” the present, which is a shame! Good for you for realizing that, and thanks for sharing! xoxo
Emily @ Sweets and Beets recently posted…My 40 Day Vegan Challenge
I’ve heard some pretty amazing words of wisdom from yoga, but this was the most profound for me. You hit the nail on the head…it’s such a shame that we end up wasting the present.
What a beautiful post Emily! I think it is so important for us to focus on our own journey and our own mantra rather than trying to compare it to someone else’s. It is so important to trust the journey, especially in our college lives, and trust that it will take us to where we need to be. <3
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Lean, Clean, & Brie Manifesto
Thanks, Brie! It is hard in college or these “formative/personal growth years.” Everyone shares their goals (career and personal) it can cause us to start questioning our journey.
I think I’ll be saving this post to keep coming back to Emily :) It was perfect!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…A Passion For Power And Strength
I’m flattered <3
You had some great thoughts in this post! I love your quote and it’s something I definitely have had a hard time keeping in mind over the past few years. I feel like as Americans who are used to getting everything with the click of a button, we get caught up in wanting more and that we convince ourselves we would be happier if…In reality, “if” will always leave us wanting something else! I’m happy with my life right now, and your post was a great reminder to enjoy whatever experiences have led me to where I am right now! Thank you!
Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder recently posted…Race Recap: Spartan Race Special Ops Tampa Sprint
Yes, we are definitely a society that wants instant gratification and gets caught up in comparison. I’m glad you enjoyed it :)
Great, thought-provoking ideas. I tend to think I messed up with a few years between 21-24, but, I never thought about how it could have been meant to be. Funny how we have an idea of what is supposed to happen, yet things turn out so differently. Thanks for sharing and helping me settle my mind. So happy you linked up! #fitfamlove
Jessica Joy @The Fit Switch recently posted…Write A Manifesto
Thanks for hosting, Jessica! The fact that things turn out different than we planned isn’t always bad :)
I’ve never written a manifesto! I loved reading yours :) I hesitate saying I’m successful in living out a particular quote, but I really need to go with the “positive mind, positive vibes” mantra, lately. A positive mind can really change our whole day!
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Link Love #5 and Cooking With Poo
I LOVE that mantra. Maintaining a positive mindset in the face of adversity/bad days is something I’m trying to work on.
I love what you came up with too! For me, Everything Happens for Reason is probably the thing that I say the most often. Even if we can’t see it at the time, there’s a reason everything happens.
Melanie recently posted…Putting it All Out There
Thanks, Melanie! You’re right, we just have to trust the process.
I love this Emily! I’m definitely a believer in never regretting a choice or a moment or a chapter because you can always find something to learn from it.
I was the same way with high school. I didn’t fit in and I just craved a new environment, but in the end it reminded me that sticking out isn’t always a bad thing.
I definitely want to work on my own manifesto, both personally and for my blog. Thanks for the inspiration <3
Thanks, Georgie! I would love to read yours if you choose to share.
Oh ok that is the most perfect quote I could have read today – it’s so easy to get caught up in what I’m ‘meant’ to be doing, or questioning what’s next or if I’m making the right decisions… and in doing so I can really miss out on the present. A great manifesto I reckon!
Cat recently posted…What Makes a Healthy Morning Routine?
I’m so glad it resonated with you!