Dedication to Myself

I was reading the 'secrets' today, and one was about 'false friends,' those who try to convince you to skip a workout or over-indulge in something unhealthy 'just this once.' I have run across these people, I am sure you have also. I responded to the poster, something about there will always be those who just don't understand the dedication to oneself. As I typed the words, it hit me, that's what it is all about: being dedicated to yourself. The reasons don't really matter.........it is the dedication that will get you through every temptation and every aching muscle, every excuse. I will admit that there are times when I have misplaced my dedication, I suppose that happens to all of us. Some call it 'falling off the wagon' or a 'setback.' 'Misplaced my dedication' .......I think I like that term. It implies that I will find it again, as I always do. It implies a temporary situation. Dedication always offers rewards.........and have a price, and often that price is growing apart from those we may care about. It happens, people change, priorities shift. Is the reward worth the price? That is up to the individual and/or the situation. I do not have the dedication to finish first in my age group in a half marathon.........but I do have the dedication to finish one. I could say that bad lungs and bad knees would prevent me from finishing first, but I know what I have overcome, and I know that I would just be using my lungs and knees as a crutch. I simply don't have that kind of dedication, and that's fine. I DO have the dedication to achieve my goals, the simple and the lofty, and just as people change, so do goals and priorities. I was in my 60's before I even THOUGHT about a half-marathon, who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? All it takes is dedication. With hard work, patience, determination, discipline, DEDICATION, anything is indeed possible.