Jennifer Markle is excited. Her face breaks into a wide, energetic smile as she talks about the change she is ready for.
Today is the first day of the “40 Days to a Personal Revolution” program at Evolution Power Yoga in York. About 20 people gathered in the warm studio to learn about the undertaking they had signed on for and to meet the fellows they would be sharing their journey with. Each Sunday, the group will meet to exchange tales of their progress.
“At some point, all of us will mess up,” Dayna Pinkerton told the group. Pinkerton is co-leading the 40 days program. “But you will have the chance to start again.”
Markle knows the next six weeks will be challenging. She’s not a morning person and the program, which is outlined in the book by the same name written by master yogi Baron Baptiste, directs participates to rise with the sun.
But Markle adds, “this is my excuse to make all the changes I’ve wanted to make, but didn’t have a way to hold myself accountable.”
Markle wants to make better choices in her diet and exercise regimens so she can be a better example for her 14-year-old daughter. “She’s at the age where she hears me, but doesn’t always do what I say. But when she sees me do something, she imitates that.” If Markle’s daughter can see her make healthy choices starting now, Markle hopes she will follow that lead.
Markle has prepared her family and friends for the changes that are about to come. “Most of them told me ‘good luck’ in a sarcastically. They don’t think I can do it.” Fortunately for Markle, that’s just the type of challenge she needs to motivate herself. “If someone tells me I can’t do something, then I’ll definitely figure out how to prove them wrong.”
For all the positive changes that Markle is anticipating, she knows some rough times might be ahead. There are friends in her life, she said, that are not good influences on her. “I know they don’t have a good purpose in my life.” Over the next 40 days, when they call her up to go out to a bar (the program discourages alcohol consumption) and she refuses, they will find someone else. “They will just replace me,” she said. “And that’s okay.”
Halfway through the two-hour group meeting, Markle was brimming with enthusiasm.
“I want to finally be me,” she said, again beaming. “And to be okay with me.”
To find out how Jen Markle is doing, check the Smart blog next week.
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