According to Merriam-Webster, a hypocrite is a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. Are you a hypocrite? I am. How so? I share with many people that I do not believe in scales, yet, every day for the past 6 days I have found myself on a scale. Why? I have a goal to lose 3 pounds and the scale holds me accountable. I encourage people to not eat after 8:30 pm, yet, every now and then, I find myself eating a late night family dinner or dabbling into the dark chocolate sea salt covered caramels. Why? Because a family dinner is more valuable than a curfew and my love for sweets gets the best of me. So admittedly, I am a hypocrite in two pillars (fitness and diet) of my life that mean a lot to me. 

What do you do when you find yourself being a hypocrite or in a hypocritical situation? Own up. Take the high road. Ask for forgiveness.

Maybe if our culture were slow to judge and quick to show compassion, admitting you are a hypocrite would be a whole lot easier. But the fact is, admitting you are a hypocrite takes courage and a willingness to be accountable.

The bible teaches us in Matthew 7:5, “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Maybe your day needs to be more about removing the plank in your own eye before condemning the speck in your neighbor's, friend's, or loved one's eye.

I am perfectly imperfect. Aren’t you? 

How do you move forward? Take the hand that is closest to you, embrace it, and never let go of it, so that together you can climb your way to the top of the peak...even if it is Freel Peak in Lake Tahoe, 10,881 feet above sea level.

Niccole Maurici, University Park mom of four and former certified personal trainer, is the co-founder and creator of the StrongestMom.com? website and fitness videos, which promote values important to moms: encouragement, support, positive thinking, and dedication.  To learn more visit our website strongestmom.com.