I went for my morning warm up walk this morning. As soon as I got up, I ate a protein bar, paused my insulin pump, and headed outside, water bottle in hand.

It’s July. In the South. I am a Western girl – I love mountains. Cool breezes. No humidity!!

Alas, I live in satan’s armpit, so if I’m going to exercise, I have to get out early, and do the hard thing.

Real feel 94°. High humidity. The sun beating down.

Out I went.

If I waited for nice weather to exercise, I’d have about a 4 month window annually. Maybe.

I have to do the hard thing- get out there when it’s miserably hot.

I tried to distract myself. I counted the different bird species I saw. I marveled in the summer assortment of flowers that were everywhere to behold. I listened to a podcast.

I melted.

I also got the lesson, again, that it’s important to do the hard things.

Tired and worn out from your weekend and don’t want to go to work? Go forth with a grateful heart.

Being treated hatefully by someone who is family? Forgive. Just as others forgive you.

Love the unlovely – the really unlovely, who treat you with continuous disdain? Love them. It may take a lot of prayer and faith – it sure does for me – but put in the effort.

Passing up the yummy carbs so you can live a long and healthy life? Do it. Deny yourself.

It’s not easy doing the hard things.

It is necessary, however, if we want to continue to grow as healthy human beings, physically and spiritually.