Bits & Pieces of YOU ~ Tara Molloy

Welcome back and to this Bits  & Pieces of YOU post.

One of the ways I spell proud is: T-A-R-A. Today’s post is written by a woman I’ve known since she was safely tucked in her mom’s tummy. I’ve watched her struggle, but mostly I’ve watched her succeed. She is an inspiration. Grab something healthy to drink – Tara would like that – and savor this part of her life story.

I have not always made the best decisions. To some, I may be a teenage pregnancy statistic,  divorce statistic, and a battered women statistic; I’m sure I’m missing some others in there as well. I am also a college graduate, put my kids first, a hard worker, and have depended on myself financially. You see I don’t like to be average or be like everyone else. I don’t want to be labeled any of these “statistics” or put into a category. Instead of letting the tough decisions or events in life bring me down, I did something about it. I wasn’t going to be the larger percentage of these so called “statistics.”

How I did it and why. . .

Well, when you’re in a bad relationship (let me correct myself) really bad, you can either let it get the best of you, or you can get the best of it. I took it on. No challenge is too big enough for me, and I truly believe that if you have faith and believe that anything is possible it can be done. I don’t believe good things come to those that wait; I believe good things come to those that work their butt off. You see after I finally left my roller coaster relationship, I looked at myself and what I wanted. No more walking on glass, no more trying to make someone who wanted to hurt me happy. If you’re not happy, you can’t make anyone else happy.

I went to college and graduated with my BS in 18 months while working full-time and mothering two children.  It can be done and I did it. Along the way, I was introduced to my now husband, but at the time I wanted nothing to do with men. I was on a mission and didn’t want to be held back any more. For some reason, this man stuck around test after test I put him through. Believe me, I wasn’t always nice. I prayed to God “if I am to be with a man show me.” God did just that. I am thankful for my husband now and can understand what LOVE is. It doesn’t make you are scared to come home, or are going to get drilled about your every move. I am thankful God opened my heart again, and he truly blessed me.

When I wake up in the morning, I choose my attitude about life and how I control myself. I don’t want to be a bad influence on my children. I would regret in life molding my children into negative people. I also don’t want to be a person people hate to be around because I have such a bad attitude.

There is more to live for and it all depends on me. I choose my happiness not others. So that’s what I do… I do what makes me happy. This means I spend time with my kids and husband, workout, push myself to try new things, meet new people. I enjoy the little things in life, like waking my kids up in the morning and seeing the big smile on their faces.

By being in control of myself, I have accomplished many goals along the way. Part of taking on challenges and pushing through is seeing how my kids are making their own challenges and pushing to meet their goals. My son is in track and wants to go to state this year. He’s also focusing on his grades, so he can get into a good college. My daughter is a swimmer and has just moved up to the next level. Both of my children have been on the honor roll this year, and I am very proud of them for setting goals and succeeding at them.

Now, I am working towards becoming a fitness model. This takes 2-4 hours a day of workouts. It’s like having a part-time job. Why am I doing this? Working out has always been a passion of mine and the challenge of course! It seems that I like to do things that are hard.

Through all I have gone through I have learned a lot and had a new way to look at things. Do I regret my past? No, because what defines us is how well we rise after falling. I believe that God gives us everything for a reason, and you may have a hard time understanding it at the time, but wait a few years, look back and figure out a way to make use of your life’s lesson.

My goal is to motivate others and be the person I want to meet. So when you feel like giving up push harder, there is no such thing as failure. Limitations only exist if you let them.

 

Tara Molloy

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5: 22-23 (NIV)