I’ve learned all the rules about taking the perfect selfie; phone held high, chin up, face the window, lean in…and there you have it, a flawless selfie. I don’t want anyone to see my lumps, bumps and other flaws, so I have this unwritten rule among my closest friends that if you’re going to post a picture of me, you’d better let me review it first. If it shows something that you would be unhappy with, then you’d better know that I will be unhappy with that too.

This past weekend we had a little family get together. Facebook recently added this live-feed option, so we decided to have a little bit of fun with it and show all of our friends what was going on inside of our home. I was in the moment, having fun, and never even thought about positioning myself for a perfect live feed.

So imagine my shock and dismay when I later sat down to view the video. No perfectly placed chin, no perfect angle, and no sunny window nearby…it was me…the real me.

My first reaction was, as I said, shock. I went through the “Do I really sound like that? Do I really look like that?!” montage, and then discouragement and a bit of sadness fell over me as I really looked at myself. What a reality check that really hurt.

Now don’t get me wrong. If you’ve read much of my stuff you know that I’m Optimist Extreme! I like me and don’t beat myself up too much. But…I can honestly say that sometimes I’m guilty of turning a blind eye to the truth. I am always looking for silver linings and somehow, even when I look in the mirror, I refuse to see what needs to be seen. So I spent my pitiful little moment in shock and disbelief. Actually, it was more than a moment…I lingered there for quite a while.

I’ve been away from writing for so long, that many of you don’t know that I’ve actually become an avid walker. Back in July, I started out by walking about a mile a few times a week. By September, I was walking 5-6 miles almost every day. Currently, I walk 4-miles several times a week. Seriously…I should be a twig by now!

So seeing myself in this live video destroyed me a little bit. I felt like a fraud. I walk and talk healthy living, happily posting my miles from my fitness app, but this video of me told the truth…that I’m not healthy at all. Maybe in mind and spirit, but definitely not in body. Yes, I do a lot of walking and so my strength has improved, but in many ways I am sabotaging my efforts and my health.

This morning, I thought about a gazillion things I could write. I wanted to think up something fun and clever for this Leap Day…and then I came across that video again. I so want to be real in all aspects of my life; not just to my friends and family, but more importantly…to ME!

So today I’m taking the leap! I’m leaping with faith and forgiving myself, leaping with strength and making good choices, and leaping with courage and being completely honest to me!

Is there anything in your life that you’re turning a blind eye to? Is there something that you just keep brushing under the proverbial carpet because you don’t want to see or believe the truth of it? No matter what it is…I want to encourage you to start brand new today. Assess the damage, forgive yourself, and with faith and courage…LEAP!

Happy Leap Day, Friends!

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
~Philippians 4:13

Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually.
~3 John 1:2