Start to Finish there is one necessary and somewhat ugly component getting from one to the other, the mountainous “to” (Insert dramatic music here) such a little -seemingly innocent- word that is responsible for so much information and a reflection of tons of effort.  The in-between, the time when you have made a commitment to begin something and now you must continue to get to the end.  The time that will make or break… Your actions during “to” will show if you’re a quitter or a doer. No one wants to be a quitter, at least in my opinion, but when things are left undone day after day, and then perhaps even month stringing along to the next… if you are not in the act of continuing with something you may as well be a quitter.  

Think about it, “to” is a verb, an action word defined as indicating movement or an action or condition suggestive of movement toward a place, person, or thing reached.  We cannot get from beginning to end without the all-important “to”.  So you must ask yourself, “How do I get there?” whatever, where ever “there” is the “to” applies.  It’s a necessary action, sometimes it’s simple, and sometimes it’s just plain difficult either way still necessary. Several months ago I finally got to business on something I’ve wanted for a very long time – to lose weight – a universal goal, to look better, to be healthier, it’s a common hope held by the masses but the only way to lose weight is to put forth effort . I must say, sitting here, a lighter version of myself, on the latter end of “to”, every moment was entirely worth it.  I personally found a lot of success with the Medifast plan, whenever people ask me how I lost the weight I tell them no matter what plan you follow, you have to find what works best for you and do it! Its mind over matter, and if you don’t put action to your plan you’ll stay exactly where you started. So I did it, and now I’m 35 pounds lighter and so proud of myself, I finally achieved something I’ve long hoped for.  My weight loss has been a bright example that I really can do something once I put the work into it and make it happen.   I had to take it one day at a time and made the choices necessary to get me from point A to point B, as hard as it has been - it was worth every shake and every moment that I had to turn down a sandwich or something sweet and delicious.  I wasn’t always perfect but I didn’t have to be perfect I just had to do what was necessary to keep moving toward my goal. There were times of frustration and my dad would remind me, the weight wasn’t put on overnight and therefore it won’t come off over night (oh, but wouldn’t that be nice.)

As children, Aesop’s fable The Tortoise and the Hare taught us that sometimes it’s not necessarily fast pace that wins the race but steady movement toward the finish line.  I’m not suggesting we’re in a race against the rest of the world to win… but in a way we are in a race against ourselves… the quitting, lazy self and the doer, the consistent self.  The doer doesn’t let its self become overwhelmed by the odds of winning or achieving ultimate success, it does not give up because of distraction, lack of inspiration, or tiredness, and it goes “to” the finish line no matter what it means, no matter what the sacrifice.