Unless you are a Shuana Niequist fan, the title of this post may confuse you. I recently became a follower of Shauna Niequist after picking up her book “Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living”. To say that I fell in love with her words and writing would be an understatement.

This morning the chapter that I read was called “Throwing Candy”, and just like you, I looked at the title with raised eyebrows. The chapter talked about a tradition at a lake where people would throw candy at the kayakers as they passed. I don’t mean throwing candy in the sense of throwing it AT them by means of hitting innocent kayakers for your own sick enjoyment, but throwing it AT them for them to catch.. Why did they do it? Because it makes people happy. It’s fun to do. It’s fun to receive. It’s a little treat.

The chapter continued on to say that this day was a particular crazy day with various boats docking, children swimming, and kayakers coming down the coastline. A lot of things could go wrong and the author explains how she was more focused on what could go wrong than the throwing of candy, until someone she was with rushed down to the dock amidst all the chaos and made sure he threw the candy. The kayakers smiled, he enjoyed himself, the kids were safe, all was well. It was at that time that the author states that she began to cry because she used to be that person who would throw the candy amidst the chaos. She used to be that person who could let responsibility go and enjoy the moment – but now she had become the person who made fun of those throwing candy stating “Who has that kind

of time?”  Sound familiar?

This entire book has hit close to home over and over again, but this chapter in particular made my eyes well up with tears. It was three pages long, nothing substantial, but word after word it was like I was re-living my own life: More worried about outcomes than present moments. Concerned of what could go wrong instead of focusing on what could go right. Putting responsibility too far ahead of fun. I was also the person who made fun of those throwing the candy having said “Who has time??” far too many times. It’s a quality I loathe about myself and quite honestly I’m not sure how it became a trait of mine – I have some ideas but none of them really seem to scream out, “Yes!! It was ME!”

Either way, this morning I realized it was time for a change. I know that if I can take on poor traits, habits, and qualities that I can also take on better habits, traits, and qualities that can push those other ones out of their place in the hierarchy.  I also know that this is going to be difficult to do. Any new habit that you start comes with growing pains, trials, and struggles. Sometimes it’s just easier to go back to what you know and what makes you comfortable; however, many times (especially like right now for me) it is that very comfort zone that has brought you to being as miserable as you are with a certain area of your life.

So today as part of Motivation Monday, I want you to look at some traits, qualities, or habits that you may have adopted along the way that are holding you back from throwing the candy. What is it in your life that you really just feel is a weight? Make sure you choose the one that makes you the most afraid of changing, because it is most likely going to be that one that when altered, sets you free the most.

Feel free to share you struggles in the comments below! What has been holding you back? What would you like to change?

Follow me on my other social media sites!

Facebook.com/nik4213
Facebook.com/FreelyfeFit

Email: Freelyfefit@gmail.com

Instagram: @freelyfe_fitness