​I'm fine.

Have you ever said that?  Someone makes a comment to you because they're concerned about your eating habits, and you push them away by saying, "I'm fine."  You know they're probably correct, but you don't want to hear it.  You want to keep doing whatever you're doing, because it's giving you something you feel you need.

Like a smaller number on the scale.
A smaller jean size.
Comments from your friends about how "tiny" you look.

It's easy to convince yourself you're fine, because of the pretty package on the outside.  But inside, you know something's not right.

You're tired.
You have dizzy spells and headaches.
Your stomach hurts.

Your body wasn't made to run on empty.  It needs fuel to run smoothly, and when it doesn't get enough fuel, severe problems arise. 

Plus, it's stressful having to worry about calorie counting and calorie burning!  You wish you didn't have to worry about such things, so you could devote yourself to relaxing and having fun in the moment like others do.

 I'm not a runner, but I wish I were.

I see others sprint by with ease, and I wonder why it's so easy for them and so hard for me? I continue on, but my heart begins sinking.

     It's too hard.
     I'll never make it.
     Why even try?

Sometimes there's days when my life feels the same, days where I struggle to make it.  I get distracted when I should focus.  I make mistakes I wish I could undo.  I get overwhelmed by the obstacles life throws me.

Tears flow easily as I notice my failures growing while others glide by.

    Life isn't turning out as I'd hoped.

Then something wonderful happens.  Someone falls in step alongside and passes their baton of hope.  Their words of encouragement and advice lift my spirits, as well as my determination.  I match their stride, step by step, courage slowly building. It feels good to be running together.

Tears flow once more as I realize the value of their gift:

    If they can overcome their obstacles, so can I.

I keep running, pushing through the hard parts; and as I do, it begins getting easier.  I smile as I hear the footsteps next to mine. It feels secure having someone run alongside, and their words of hope and strength encourage me.

    Oh, how important it is to help each other.

I think about others who may be struggling, and I begin looking.

    Is there someone out there who needs my baton?

You know what I love best about a new school year?  The word new.

There is so much hope tucked inside of that word.

    New supplies.
    New ideas.
    New start.

One small seed of "new" can harvest a whole lot of change, which is why I'm running into this new school year with confidence. As Ralph Marston said,
                                      
What you do today can improve all of your tomorrows.

Since I want this year to be a great one,  I'm already putting some positive things in place to get myself ready.


Organizing a Study Space

I don't want to fall behind this year in my written work, so I'm organizing my study space.  I've made sure it's away from distractions and I've stocked it with supplies. I've even picked up a couple of display boards so I can have them ready for projects. I think being organized this year will help prevent some of my stress when things get really busy.


Finding What Resources Are Available

I've also been doing research on my computer to see the resources my school has available. You can do this, too. Check to see if your teachers have websites where they post assignments and see if your school has a homework hotline.  I've bookmarked my favorite resources, so I can remember them if I start to get overwhelmed.


Thinking Positively

Instead of walking into my school and remembering the stressful things that have happened, I want to walk in and see new possibilities.  That's why I've already started preparing my thinking.  Every time I feel myself start to stress, I think, "Things are going to be better than I expect."  When my self-esteem starts to dredge up old fears, I remind myself, "God made me and loves me just the way I am.  My value isn't based on the thoughts of others."


Taking Time to Laugh

One of the things I love about summer vacation is how often I laugh.  It feels good to laugh, forgetting about everything else.  I savor these times and hate to see them end.  That's why I'm making sure I plan time in my schedule to have fun.  I'm saving time on Monday nights to meet with friends.  I'm planning some fun activities in the Fall.  I'm making sure I continue to enjoy things, even after school begins.

Sound the bell and start the race; I think I'm ready.  No, I know I'm ready.  I'm ready for a new year.

New possibilities.
New changes.
New hope.