Comfort, Trust, Peace.

I was reminded of a huge important lesson today, that I think we all have to be reminded of from time to time. I actually needed the lesson immediately following my day at the gym...but, it took me until tonight to figure that out. I'm very thankful to Brian for talking me back down to being level-headed, so I was able to put two and two together.

Today Brian and I were both pretty relaxed, finally. Seems like for a while when one of us wasn't feeling too stressed, the other one was. Mostly on my end, I think because I was getting ready for the qualifier. That's the biggest competition I've done to this point. So, I was under more pressure than I realized I was, and more stressed more often.

Anyway, it was a good thing we were both pretty relaxed because he decided to experiment with a couple of things. We haven't really experimented for a while. We tried a different angle on the rows and scarecrows. And when he wanted me to start the scarecrows, it took me forever to get adjusted to start. I was really nervous just because of how it felt. So I had him add an extra strap, and when that didn't work, he said "Chelsi, I'll just put my knee up behind you to hold you in." And I must have looked at him funny cuz he said "Trust me." Well, of course, I did, and everything was fine. I liked the exercise, it felt good, and I hit the muscles exactly where I was supposed to. Then when we went over to do shrugs, he said he wanted me to use the kettlebells to try to get a better angle for my wrists and forearms. I KNOW I looked at him with apprehension, cuz I was totally feeling it. So, he said "Are you nervous?" I said "Well, I'll do it, that's fine." And he said "Chels, you know I'm not going to let anything happen to you." And he's right. I do know. But, it's still hard for me to jump right in and be excited about something new. So, he sat on the bench behind me and tried to make me lean forward so I could grab both kettlebells at the same time, so my balance wouldn't be off. I yelled at him. :-/ I said "Don't do that to me." So, he kinda yelled back. ;-) He said "I'm just going to help you. Just let me do it." So, I started to lean forward, very unhappily...but, he put his arm in front of me and lowered me down very carefully and then pulled me upright once I had the kettlebells and held me in place while I shrugged.

At both exercises, as soon as I felt him touch me...with his knee and then later with putting his arm in front of me...as soon as I could feel him there, I was okay. I couldn't make myself start when he was off to the side, not with me, but, as soon as I could feel him, I knew I was okay. It gave me a feeling of security, like he was protecting me. I know he does a lot, but, it's a different sort of appreciation when it's something that I'm not used to. Almost like I take for granted that he's there with the other stuff, because we've done it for so long. But, when there's something that I'm unfamiliar with, it's interesting that he knows what to do before even I know what to do. And I re-learned that I don't have to be scared of unfamiliar territory because, he's guiding me and knows the best way if I just listen to him and trust him.

So, then I came home, and a chain of events took place that didn't make me real happy or comfortable with life. I talked to Brian. And, as he always does best, he reassured me it would work out....more than once. And, it finally dawned on me (several hours into the evening) that the day was precursor to remembering that God is there, with his arm in front of me, lowering me down and straightening me back up and holding me steady. And He's not going to let go of me either. It makes me crazy that it takes me so long in my humanness to remember such important things. But, it makes me smile that My God, My Father has so much patience with me that he continues to lead me even when I forget that He's there. Brian too, when I begin to show a bit of fear, he just continues, because he knows I'm going to be fine. In both instances I'm learning to be a stronger, better person. I just need (both of them) to remind me that I'm not alone. Was a really good day (all in all).

Cable Rows - 130 lbs., 15. 150 lbs., 12, 10 & 10.
Scarecrows - 20 lbs., 30 lbs., 40 lbs., all sets of 15.
Lateral Pulldown - 80 lbs., 4 sets of 12.
Kettlebell Shrugs - 50 lbs., 15, 20, 15.
Biceps Curls - 12 lbs., 3 sets of 15.
BOSU abs - 3 sets of 15.

<3 Stretching <3