Category: Healing from Trauma

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The Road to Self-Worth

The responses I have received from my Run to Change Lives interview have truly been overwhelming and sincerely heartfelt. I have received many messages today on the subject of self-worth and how did I use my love of running to help me achieve it?

We are conditioned to feel less than. We have been taught to try harder, to “erase and try again,” to hesitate when we are given an opportunity to better ourselves, and that we are selfish when we put ourselves first.

The open road, and my running sneakers have given me back what other people, and certain concepts have tried to repetitively take from me… my self worth.

To make progress, allow yourself the wonderful endowment of self-acceptance. You have been given a gift. You were made for a purpose.

You are allowed to sit in both places of uncertainty, and places of great unrest .

You are allowed to sit in unsteady moments, and stand taller when you have rebuilt the foundation that once tried to crumble you.

The open road will listen, will push you, will be gentle some days and fierce the next– but it will guide you to regain your own love, life and trust back.

Whether it’s the park, the track, the mountains, the pavement, the bicycle, the pool, the yoga mat… take all your lack of’s and should be’s there.

Discard them one by one… and when they come back… let them visit but NEVER invite them to stay again as they no longer serve a purpose. Amen.

🖤#selfcare#selfworth#hopedealer#restday

Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! We’re sending Suzanne’s blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Don’t miss the next post… delivered straight to your inbox.

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Serenity Sunday…

Often times I think we forget the power held in a little serenity. We are always expecting, wanting, striving, pushing for more, for better, or the next best.

On my 12-mile journey this morning, I thought about the power in having stillness, and enjoying what is… in this very moment.

Giving ourselves permission to lift the expectations of what others think is a must. Giving ourselves permission to just be grateful in the moment changes not only the outcome, but allows a clearer view into our own looking glass. It is here where we are surprised at how simple serenity can undo the plans of our destructive robber in minutes.

Waking up clear-headed without a hangover, well-rested, for me is serenity.

Seeing the beautiful sunrise… waving at familiar faces… and getting to wake up and do what I love… is my serenity.

My body was strong today. I felt good and alive and accomplished… yet I surrendered. I allowed the present to just be. I let the “what if’s” go to hell, and the voices of the naysayers drift off to a place I ain’t visiting.

Let it all go this morning. Surrender. Be. Exist. Find your serenity today 💙.

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The Porch.

Every once in a while I take time to visit my porch. It’s a quiet place looking out into farm fields, the road I run every day, and the occasional passerby walking their dog.

This porch has tremendous meaning. It used to be the place where I would drink as much alcohol as I could, eat too much crap, and dwell in self-pity about how I wanted my world to change so badly. It was a place to contemplate how much I hated the choices I was making in my life.

My porch today takes on a much different meaning. I sit out here now so incredibly grateful for the lives I’ve touched, and those who have steadily helped me get here.

I log my running miles, reflect on my training, meditate and focus on the things that I aspire to be. I give thanks for the universe and God, and I appreciate everything spiritually.

I seek stillness, all while sober, healthy, and knowing that I can dream, be, and achieve anything I damn want to…

My porch was a place I used to dread visiting because I knew the sadness that was tear-stained on its wood.

Today my porch sees and witnesses a different me. The wood of its foundation is solid and strong, tough and weathered… just like the woman who sits there now and rejoices. She is me… and she is happy 🖤.

Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! We’re sending Suzanne’s blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Don’t miss the next post… delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up to hear from Suzanne via email here.

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Visibility.

Did you ever stop to think how scary it can be to have your visibility dimmed or hidden? One minute you can see the road ahead, the next you’re following your gut, keeping the faith that you will sway gently with curves, relying on familiarity, and trusting that with each step… although foggy, you will get to your destination?

This morning’s run started out very dark, misty. Visibility was poor. I run these roads every day, I know them like the back of my hand… yet when our visibility is stripped… things appear different, even feel different.

I thought about faith on this run, and how sometimes we simply must trust. We have to believe in something greater… something better… something wonderful. Knowing that if we are just patient enough, the path will be lit and the view is incredible.

The last half of this run, the sun crept up over the horizon. The pavement was suddenly clearly marked, and the view between the trees was breathtaking.

Life can have poor visibility. We can for a moment be in dark places… but in these moments, hug the corners, rely on something bigger and greater, and have faith that your path will light.

We learn in the fog, and become a beacon when it lifts. Amen. 🖤#walkbyfaithnotbysight

Join our safe space where we will share, inspire, love, and grow!

Run Before You Fly Private Facebook Group is open to all who wish to continue to share their experiences, love of running, and battles of life, with each other. Together we are better.

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Doorways

The doorways we choose each day in our life path are crucial to who we become. I have walked both intentionally and unintentionally through doorways that have led me through destruction, fear, and choices that carved the walls of my strength.

Doorways can be deceiving. What you think is on the other side can be filled with false hope. Empty promise. The same room… the same toxicities… the same repeated cycles.

The doorways of my previous addicted world always seemed to open even wider when I was at the brink of disaster. That woman on the left was trapped in those rooms for a very long time.

The woman on the right carefully examines her doorways these days. Before she enters, she asks herself: if I step in, will this doorway entry serve my greater purpose? Will it fulfill me? Will it allow me further growth and less bullshit?

Take the time to think about your goals. Think about who you wish to become. Do Not Enter the doorways that are jaded, altered, or that will not serve you.

Guard the doorways to your success… and do not let any person, place, or thing enter without your permission.

You control your doorways now… what a beautiful concept this is….🖤. Go be wonderful today.

Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! We’re sending Suzanne’s blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Don’t miss the next post… delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up to hear from Suzanne via email here.

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Road Less Traveled

The becoming of your truest self begins when your feet hit the path of which seldom like to go.

Physical change is wonderful. I could tell you I lost 90 pounds, I can show you the pictures to support that… but what is more important than the physical is the mental endurance and toughness it takes to transform your spirit.

The road less traveled is a place that’s usually not crowded. We have all a pathway to it. Some of us are just stepping ever so softly on it, some of us are pounding heavy in the middle of it, and some of us are at the groundbreaking edge of being led off the road and ready to unveil what they have learned.

When I am at my best. I am connected to the Earth. I stop for the flowers, I listen for the birds, I see clearly how the toxic bullshit of the past doesn’t stand a chance against God’s beautiful treasures and connectedness, inner peace, or self-love.

Do yourself a favor and turn down The Road Less Traveled. Take the first step. Take the unexpected route, do quietly the things that stir up change, but do boldly the things that help others to see.

You are worthy of everything good… now get on that road.

Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! We’re sending Suzanne’s blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Don’t miss the next post… delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up to hear from Suzanne via email here.

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Pursuit of Happiness.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

I thought about what this truly means for me today.

Independence Day. Today is a day in which we can all choose to seek a life of peace, freedom, and happiness.

Be Happy on purpose today.

Seek peace and stillness today from whatever is robbing you of anything less… and celebrate life in the present at this very moment.

Run for personal freedom today.

Release all that does not serve you, and let us not forget who we are and what we stand for. ❤️🤍💙🇺🇸

#americathebeautiful #happybirthdayamerica

#ohbeautifulforspaciousskies

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Hope is Here.

I’m here to let you in on something that took me years of unraveling to learn…

Hope Is Here.

My headband today, “Hope is here,” has had significant meaning in every aspect of me changing my habits, my life disciplines, and my personal outcomes.

We are going to stumble… it’s okay.

We are going to lack grace somedays… it’s okay. We are going to feel defeated at times… it’s okay.

Because Hope lives in all of us. It lives in why you do the work you do. It lives in why we run. It lives in why we get excited about our personal victories.

It lives in you and in your neighbors. It is the only thing we desperately cling to in our lowest, most desolate moments.

My run this morning is dedicated to Hope. A Hope for you, and for me. A Hope for this nation, and this world.

Hope lives here… do not be discouraged, nor sad today.

Fill your cup alive with Hope. Watch how one simple word and concept can change the course of this day, can change the attitude of your mind, and can change the ways of your heart.

Find your way to some Hope today… and you’ll find your way home.

#findyourwayhome #runningmotivation #friday

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Transformation Requires Transparency.

Transformation requires transparency. Transparency requires gutting yourself open to reveal what must stay and what must go.

The baggage we allow ourselves to carry is not only heavy… but very much unnecessary. It took me years of time wasting, self sabotage and unveiling to realize that.

I am not for everyone… and I’m okay with that. I am fine with saying “NO” as an acceptable, one-word answer. I am no longer bothered by the stigmas of who this world wants me to be.

Most days I’m a hot mess, I’m disorganized at times, and I am often still too hard on myself. But I know what running has taught me about my desire for life.

I know what my sneakers have witnessed in my ability, and what I am capable of.

I know my destiny is made for great things, and I know my soul longs to help others achieve their personal best.

Ground your heart today. Feel the earth. Let your soul speak to you. Be transparent, be good to yourself, and know that when people tell you… it’s not possible… “bullshit” is one amazing answer. ☀️

hat you are loved.

Run With Our Pack!

Run Before You Fly Private Facebook Group with Suzanne Swanson is open to all who wish to continue to share their experiences, love of running, and battles of life, with each other. Together we are better.

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Show Up for Yourself.

I hope today that you are celebrating you. I hope today you will come to understand that no matter how little you think you have come in your journey so far, it does not even remotely define you.

I hope today the reflection you see is an image of a person trying. I hope you can see the sacrifices you’ve made, the love you have given, and that not only is external and internal change possible… but extraordinary‼️

I hope you can one day understand that all that you have been through has shaped and prepared you for exactly where you are today.

I hope you know that our sneakers tell a tale of who we are. They are scuffed and worn, broken in, and twisted, but they are also comfortable and gentle, they are molded and perfect. They have felt every pounce of the pavement, and trudge on the trail… yet day after day they show up for us and do exactly what’s expected of them.

Show up for yourself. Do what’s expected. Dream the crazy dreams. Set goals… make plans… be the change that everyone tells you you’re crazy for believing in.

Someone is struggling, yearning, seeing, and hoping. Show them they can… tell them they will. Exhale ambition and spread that shit like wildfire. Life is waiting… let’s go make the happiest one we can. 🖤

Run With Our Pack!

Run Before You Fly Private Facebook Group is open to all who wish to continue to share their experiences, love of running, and battles of life, with each other. Together we are better.