Pulse Moments

I received this in an email from Livestrong this afternoon - I think it can be applied to health, faith, relationships, and work. In context of the Sunday sermon I heard this week - "We are here to glorify God," this letter is great motivation to see the pulse moments each day and make the choices that will give God the glory! Choices to love the Lord, to serve and love others, to take care of our bodies, to be humbled, to do our work as if it is for the Lord! Be set free to live in God's pulse, to let him be the strength in your life and be a story of His success.

“The secret of living a life of excellence is merely a matter of thinking thoughts of excellence. Really, it’s a matter of programming our minds with the kind of information that will set us free.” -Charles R. Swindoll

Discover Your Strength

It is said that the only thing that can stop you is yourself. For most people, this is interpreted as an overrated motivational non-sequitur; a blind statement that underscores the variability and uncontrollable nature of every day and every situation. But it's also an accurate assessment of what it takes to be successful. Life is unscripted, which means you're guaranteed to be thrust into situations that are mentally and emotionally challenging.

These are what I call pulse moments. They represent who you are at your core and they vary from important decisions to small lifestyle choices. They are, quite simply, a test of your heart and desire.

My most recent pulse moment happened this morning. After three days out of the country, I returned to my normal routine of 5 am workouts. As I found myself in the gym, my mind was still in bed and my body was lacking motivation. And yet I still made sure to continue my workout and become a little better. The surroundings might have been different, but it was a choice we all face: Push on or go home. Eat better or slip up. Dream of a promotion or settle for something less.

In isolation, the decision to go easy isn't the problem. Missing this morning's workout wouldn't have turned me into a pile of mush. Just as adding dessert won't destroy your diet or taking a day doesn't represent a lack of ambition. But if you're hitting cruise control every time a moment becomes difficult, then you are stopping yourself.

I encourage you to embrace pulse moments and even create them. If we've learned anything from our amazing success stories, like Angel Hall, your mindset is the secret to achieving your best body ever. It's also what helped our editor, Sarah Metzger, change her eating habits and create a new lifestyle that motivates others to be healthy.

At some point, you have to become tired of using life as an excuse. Sure, it won't be easy. Your heart rate might elevate, you'll feel anxious, nervous or even frustrated. But these are the raw human emotions that will lead you to push a little harder. Focus a little more. And claw towards something you didn't think was possible.

So tell me: What's your most recent pulse moment? And what are you doing about it? Confronting your challenge is the first step to becoming unstoppable.

Adam Bornstein (@BornFitness)