Running Motivation and Writing Therapy for Those Ready to Heal from Trauma, Banish Negativity and Achieve Greatness on Their Own Terms
Instant Joyful Human: š
Directions: Lace one pair of comfortable running sneakers.
Place favorite junk headband, and turn music UP!
Breathe. Grab favorite hydration beverageā¦ smile and GO š.
Results may vary by location, and how much you move your ass. Some restrictions may apply. No money back guarantee.
Warning ā ļøā¦ the runner you see pictured is actually a runner and full of joy. Smiling is contagious. DO try this at home!
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 itās the park, the track, the mountains, the pavement, the bicycle, the pool, the yoga mat… take all your lack of’s and should beās 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! Weāre sending Suzanneās blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Donāt miss the next postā¦ delivered straight to your inbox.
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 isā¦ 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 sunriseā¦ waving at familiar facesā¦ and getting to wake up and do what I loveā¦ is my serenity.
My body was strong today. I felt good and alive and accomplishedā¦ 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 aināt visiting.
Let it all go this morning. Surrender. Be. Exist. Find your serenity today š.
Day 1ā¦ or one day? You decide.
#SaturdayMotivation
Every once in a while I take time to visit my porch. Itās 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 Iāve 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 toā¦
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 weatheredā¦ just like the woman who sits there now and rejoices. She is meā¦ and she is happy š¤.
Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! Weāre sending Suzanneās blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Donāt miss the next postā¦ delivered straight to your inbox.
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 youāre following your gut, keeping the faith that you will sway gently with curves, relying on familiarity, and trusting that with each stepā¦ 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 greaterā¦ 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
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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 roomā¦ the same toxicitiesā¦ 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 successā¦ and do not let any person, place, or thing enter without your permission.
You control your doorways nowā¦ what a beautiful concept this isā¦.š¤. 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! Weāre sending Suzanneās blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Donāt miss the next postā¦ delivered straight to your inbox.
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 thatās 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 doesnāt 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! Weāre sending Suzanneās blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Donāt miss the next postā¦ delivered straight to your inbox.
And so it beginsā¦ first training run done āļø.
Official Marine Corps Marathon training starts today!
I have a feeling itās going to be a long hot summer!
Envision your goals, and dreamsš.
Set out on the road before you. š
Along the way make memories, make peace with yourself, and most of all make a better way of life.š
#hopedealer #MCM2021 #dogdaysofsummer
Thank you for supporting my writing endeavor at RunBeforeyouFly.com. I’m Suzanne Swanson and I’d love for us to keep in touch!
Gratitude changes everything.
He whispered, “Sheāll never overcome addiction.”
She whispered: “She’ll always be overweight and unhealthy.”
I whispered…
“Hello… remember me? My miles have become my guide, and gratitude has changed me forever.”
Seek what you dream about, and be a living story. 
#tellyourtale #leavealegacy
Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! Weāre sending Suzanneās blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Donāt miss the next postā¦ delivered straight to your inbox.