Angie Rambles
I personally cannot have a blog focused on just one thing. Maybe I'm just too ADD for that? Maybe my interests are too diverse? I could talk about running all day or fashion or travel, but asking me to stick to just one topic ever just doesn't work. That is why "Ramblings from Angie" was born... {okay maybe created is much more appropriate, but I like born}This week a number of things sparked me to write again. One of which was this article. It also sparked the title of my blog. I used to say that losing weight was not going to define. Following that, I said being cheated on and losing my marriage wouldn't define me. Then I realized all of these things DO define me, but not in a bad way. They have absolutely made me the person I am. They have taught me lessons, made me a better person, and are part of what I have to give to this world. Have you read Robin Roberts book? Let me quote her mama when I say, "Make your mess your message."
How many times have I been able to be there for a friend, offer support, give running tips or just be a shoulder to cry on BECAUSE of the things in my life that I was refusing to let "define me"? When I started my new job I tried to avoid mentioning my divorce or my weight loss. Well that lasted a few weeks until I felt like I was this person trying to cover up my past. If you know me, I'm chatty, I'm friendly and probably a bit too outgoing. So trying to tell stories without mentioning my weight loss or my EH (ex-husband) became very difficult. "Oh yeah, I used to have two boxers" - that line made people think I had dogs that died. Not that they now resided happily together with EH.
Now, I let the stories flow. I realized by telling the bad and the good, you can really help people. It wasn't until I was thick in the mess of losing my marriage that I realized trying to hide behind a perfect smile makes others feel the need to do the same. Sure, maybe don't stand on your front porch and air all your dirty laundry, but being honest about pain, struggles and heartbreak can help you but also others as well. Especially when you're a reasonable distance past that pain.
I had a friend meet me for frozen yogurt during my separation to tell me her heartbreaking story. I didn't know her all that well, but she had felt called to pray for me and reach out during my struggle. That fro-yo date did so much for me. She was open, real and honest. It reassured me to know that one day, life would move on. More than that, it made me realize that I would carry a part of this pain for a long time, and that was OK. What if she hadn't been honest? What if she said it didn't hurt ever, and she was never sad about it thinking back? I would've wondered now, nearly two years out from that moment my world crashed down, if I was failing. If the fact that it still hurt sometimes was proof that I was weak. I'm so thankful for her outpouring of honesty. She, along with many others, shared the good, the bad and everything in between.
So that's what you'll find here, the good, the bad and all that exists in between.
Because no post is complete without a picture, here are two things that "defined" me - aka made me who I am today!
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| Weight Loss Before & After |
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| Took a note from Taylor Swift - "Bum Baby Burn" |
