May tends to be one of the most schedule-heavy months of the year, and it’s easy to lose sight of whatever goals you set for yourself in January.  Though not much can be done about the demands and responsibilities in your life, you can influence the outcome by knowing.

I remember having to make a tough decision about whether or not I would return to college after a pretty dismal first semester.  My grades reflected my over-attention to my social calendar, and I came home with a GPA that would make anyone question whether or not they were college material.  In several conversations with my dad, I vacillated between attending the local community college or trying another semester at the state school. In those tough conversations, my dad would gently ask questions aimed at helping me to see the big picture:

“What do you think is best for your future?”

“What would you be giving up by giving up?”

“What would you gain by trying again?”

Each and every time, I would respond with the same answer, “I don’t know” and after the 20th or so “I don’t know”, my dad paused and looked me in the eye and gently (but sternly) said, “Angela, you DO know.”

And he was right.

I did know the answers.  I just didn’t want to face them.

I think each of us can identify with avoiding life’s tough questions and settling for the uncertainty of an “I don’t know” response.  On the surface, it feigns consideration and contemplation, but at its core it’s indecision and indifference with no movement either direction, forward or reverse.  

Some of you have probably ditched any fitness/health related goals from January.  Some of you have abandoned any form self-investment and are perhaps on the cusp of anger, resentment or bitterness towards yourself and others.  Some of you may be barely hanging on, just going through the motions. And some of you are out there crushing your goals. #yeayou

If you’ve found yourself in one of the first three categories, let me say IT’S OKAY.  YOU’RE OKAY.  Seasons come and seasons go, and so do health and fitness goals.  Getting on and off the merry go round may make you feel crazy, but at least you’re still on the playground, right?  

If I were sitting in your living room drinking a cup of coffee and discussing your next “best steps”, this is what I’d do.  I’d put my mug down, scoot a little closer to you and look directly into your eyes. Then I’d say this:

“What do you think is best for your future?”

“What would you be giving up by giving up?”

“What would you gain by trying again?”

And I’d stay until we moved past the I don’t knows.

Whatever the situation is surrounding your “I don’t know” — reach beyond that answer into the place where risk has numerous rewards and try leads to triumph.  

You have everything you need inside you to make the journey, to start again, to overcome, and most importantly to KNOW.  Get to the knowing, and you’ll see an unstoppable revolution waiting to happen.