Beating It

Duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh

Duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh

Duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh

So Beat it. Just beat it.

Those are the only lines of the Michael Jackson song that I know. Clearly, I have a talent for song lyrics. (It's a genetic condition. My dad has the same problem and I obviously get it from him.) The other day the song popped in my head when I made a decision that I was going to beat it.

I like to believe that what I lack in heart (literally) I've made up for in feisty. That God gave me an extra dose of it. I can be stubborn when I need to and determined if I want to. I guess I could attribute those things to being Italian, but God gifted me with that too. God has put inside of me all I need to beat whatever obstacles come my way. If I'm being honest, most days I don't walk in that. Some days I have to remind myself over and over again. But not this day. This day I told myself once. And that was all that I needed.

I was getting my calendar ready for the next few months at work. (Because I'm so flip-flopping organized!) I knew I had a cardiologist appointment in May so wanted to be sure I took the time off I needed and didn't schedule any meetings for that day. l logged into my patient portal and double checked the date. I saw that I had not only an appointment with the doctor but an echogardigram and stress test scheduled. All in the same day. What? Why? Who agreed to that? Good one Emily...

My first reaction was 'UGHHHH! NO! WHY? My sister is always telling me that I don't have to say "Yes" to any tests or procedures. Why didn't I take her advice just this once!?! ' (#shoutouttoDrYellie) My second reaction; after a little more self-loathing and whining in my head - and possibly out loud; was 'You know what? I'm going to beat it!' Cue Michael Jackson snapping his fingers in a red leather jacket with gold trim details and really, really tight pants.

I know, I know! I still haven't gotten to the part about what exactly I'm beating. Am I beating doctor to the appointment? Well, duh. Those guys are never, ever on time. Beating up the echo technician? If they spend 20 minutes trying to find my the right side of my heart again I might have to! But, no, no, no...violence won't be necessary. I decided that I am going to beat my stress test. I'm going to take it, and I'm going to rock it and I'm going to be BEAT IT! I want hear the technician say, "Wow!" and "Amazing!" and "Are you sure you only have half a heart!?" I'm going to beat it. Just, beat it.

If you know the actual words to the song, you know that the song is not about beating a stress test. Since I'm not exactly 100 percent on the words; I looked them just to be sure. However, I took them out of context and made them work for me. I made it my mantra for the next month. I'm working hard to make sure soooooooooooooo beat it. Every day I follow the advice of the wonderful Rachel Hollis and write down what I'm thankful for and what my goals are. Most of the goals are long term but the short term goals are ones that I can accomplish right here and right now. Every day I write down "-Work out 3x a week" and for the past 4 weeks; I have done exactly that. But please, hold your applause. I've been writing it down since January 1st and it hasn't been accomplished as much I would have liked it to. But the looming stress test gave me the little push I needed to push myself. Something to work for. Something to beat.

So I've been hitting the gym and occasionally my yoga mat. I've been drinking my smoothies and protein shakes and fueling my body with healthy foods (for the most part). I've been eating my veggies and drinking my water. I'm going to beat it. I've been taking my heart medication and getting myself plenty of rest when I can. I've been looking at other CHD Warriors and watching them meet their goals, beat their tests and beat the odds.

And I'm going to do it too. I'm going to beat it. I am beating it. I've been beating it. The urge to lay on my couch and give in my inner couch potato. The worry and the self doubt. The stress test they've planned for me. And of course the odds. I do that every day.

My prayer has become the words of Paul in Phillippians 4:12-13. It says, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in every and any situation, wether well fed or hungry, wether living in plenty or want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (NIV) In every situation, may I remember that the one who has gave it all for me, is the one who gives me all that I need. With Him, through Him, and by His grace; I'm going to beat it.

What I won't be beating though, is how terrible I am at remembering song lyrics. Thanks Dad.