I train there I am….
A typical rainy afternoon in Guam, I pull up to my beach side condo searching for a close parking spot. ‘Great!! Good day to come home with a car full of groceries’ I thought to myself as rain splattered across my windshield making it difficult to even see 20 feet in front of me. ‘All the good spots are taken again’, I mumbled quietly under my breath. I turned my head to look over my shoulder at Cash, my delightfully energetic 3 year old, sleeping soundly in his car seat. He obviously is in dream world with the slight smirk appearing across his face. Not having a choice in the matter I parked as close as I could. Everyone always carries at least 2 or more umbrellas in their vehicles in Guam, except me. Mine hangs upstairs right inside the front door, returning them to my car is something I had been meaning to do, but always forget until it rains of course then its only wishful thinking. Opening the back car door carefully placing Cash over my right shoulder, I grab my bag and my arm load of groceries and take a beeline across the grass up the stairs to my front door while my legs were reminding me of all the walking lunges I had done earlier that morning. Managing to keep the eggs from breaking and my sleeping toddler in his peaceful state, he rested on the couch next to the laundry that had been there for at least two days; possibly three. 
Groceries were being put where they belong, and I began the process of preparing my meals for tomorrow. The little quiet time I had, I was taking full advantage of it, and with the gloomy rain outside this Saturday I wanted nothing else then to take a cool shower and snuggle up with my little guy, turn on some Netflix, & veg out in front of the television. The thought crossed my mind for a short moment, but I knew if my meals were not prepared tonight I was only setting myself up for failure tomorrow. I train therefore I am steadfast, determined and confident in everything I do. With perseverance.
Being a mom is extremely busy. Being in control of our lives and not allowing our lives to control us by making the proper steps to be a healthy and fit family makes you even more busy. Put being a single mom on top of that the silent moments you have to yourself are few and far between and are much appreciated when granted. As women, we are strong, nurturing and attentive beings. We have individual characteristics that make us unique in our makeup. We have the ability to take control of our families and lead them down a healthier way of living. Having physical strength only enhances our mental strength and capacity to overcome any trials that may come our way. We must realize the ability we have to make a long and lasting impact on the loved ones in our life. Knowledge is so powerful, taking what you know and learned and teach it to our young will only create deeper roots for them to build their foundation on. My time throughout the course of a day is organized specifically on the needs of my family and profession. I’ve taken the things that are important to me and make it a top priority. Fitness and health is extremely important and I incorporate it into my life on a daily basis. With proper balance, my day gets exactly what it needs and I get exactly what I need out of my day. We are all given a specific amount of minutes and hours in the course of a day. No savings account for our time. Once its gone its gone. I choose to live life with a vengeance never taking a moment for granted and taking the path less traveled with a greater reward at the end of a hard days work. It’s easy for us to become lazy, apathetic and going with the flow of life. We are beautiful creatures with so much to give back to the world; we need to learn to give back in the right ways. Women of dignity and unbending principles are not just born; they are molded to become so.
Begin to look at your life and find the balance that works for you. Balance is a constant changing puzzle in your life depending on the moments. Its easy to get overwhelmed when we put too much on our plates, so start by letting go of obligations that aren’t propelling you forward with the goals that you have set and replace them with key factors that will only have a positive outcome for you and your family. Learn to love life and life will love you back, keeping our lives simple focused and purposeful.
Almost an hour has passed and my vegetables a chopped and prepared, my chicken breast baking in the oven is done and I’ve almost completed my coconut cinnamon cookies for my sons preschool class in the morning. I walk over nudging Cash as he begins to open his eyes offering him fresh carrot cucumber and apple straight from my juicer; a favorite of his for the past 3 weeks. The rain has passed and the scorching sun is dominating the skies. Lets go get your swim trunks on; I say to him cheerfully we need an afternoon spent at the beach.
Ashley Horner 