Healthy Reflection: Taking the path to personal growth:

Action is the only way anything ever gets done. Sitting around and waiting for life to happen to you will only guarantee one thing: that you're not going to end up with a life you love. By waiting, you can react to what's tossed your way and nothing more. It's easy to take a passive approach to life without taking chances. It's easy to fall into a rut and do the same things the same way all the time. Change is sometimes hard, but it's change that will reveal all the wonders that life has to offer. You can break out of your set ways by taking action. Try doing the same thing a different way. Jump in with both feet and learn something new. Ask a friend to teach you a skill they're good at. Grow as a person and your world grows with you.

Quote:
"When you stand still, you reject the struggle, and you refuse to change and grow. Ultimately, you reject fulfillment, happiness, the dance for joy and everything else that is eternally good."

- Matthew Kelly, classical actor and game show host


Side Note from Me:

I'm slowly paving my own path to a life I want. I started with taking control of my health and weight. With each pound I loose, I feel more confident about other things in my life; Step #1.

I'm slowly paving my way to having my own business. Something I've dreamt about. The dream is taking shape and I'm smoothing the edges. Soon I'll be taking my first major step by going back to school. I'm a bit nervous, actually a lot nervous, about talking about my plans and putting them out there for all to see. But I am going back to school to earn a degree in Business Management; Step #2.

Living Within Today

Sometimes it seems like we're always putting off our goals until some vague time in the future called "Once". "Once the New Year rolls around...", "Once I have my new job...", "Once I retire...", "Once the kids are in school...", "Once the kids are OUT of school..." Sound familiar? By waiting for Once to get here, we waste time and frustrate our desire to do what we really want. It's a fact of life that every time one potential distraction disappears, it's quickly replaced with a new one. There will always be something that can stand in your way - if you let it. Ask yourself: are these distractions real reasons, or just good excuses for putting something off? Goals cannot be started in the future. The laws of time and nature dictate that you can only act in the present. You are here, today. So are your goals. The only good time to start is right now.

Quote:

If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything, is ready, we shall never begin.

- Ivan Turgenev, novelist, poet, playwright

Today's Inspiration

Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive; and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.
- Benjamin E. Mays

As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others.
- Robert H. Schuller

God's Spirit moves through us and the world at a pace that can never be constricted by any one religious paradigm. I love that.
- Bono (Paul David Hewson)

I am a Unique Expression of the Universal Fabric of Creation.
I celebrate both my uniqueness and my connection with all that is.
- jlh

Each of us has a unique perception of the world. What if we could all celebrate our different ideas and beliefs rather than argue and fight wars over our differences.

Today's Inspiration

The following is my retelling of a very old parable...

A very devout man had the practice of praying each day, and having long conversations with God. Longing to meet God in person, one day he invited God to join him for a meal. To the man's great surprise, God accepted, and an appointment time was set.

The man shopped for the very finest foods and prepared them with a skilled and patient hand. Then he washed himself, put on his finest clothes, and sat in his comfortable chair waiting for God.

At exactly the appointed time, there was a thump at the door. When the man opened the door, a black dog raced past him, leapt onto the table, and began devouring the food the man had so carefully prepared for God. Enraged that the dog was spoiling his dinner with God, the man grabbed a stick and began beating the dog. The dog howled at the blows, then ran out the door whimpering.

The man did his best to repair the table and the fine food. He waited for the rest of the day, but there was no knock on the door. Finally the man gave up waiting. He was certain that God had not come because the dinner had been spoiled by the dog.

The man prayed to God, "I am so sorry the dinner was ruined by that wretched dog. Please, please come to dine with me tomorrow. I will prepare all new and wonderful food." The image of God appeared before the man. Cuts and bruises were on God's head and side. "I came to your house today at the appointed time. I was very hungry, so I came in the form of a dog in order to best enjoy your fine food, but you beat me and chased me away."

Moral: God lives in the least of us.

Happy Easter

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.
- Martin Luther

Today, Easter, the most Holy day on the Christian calendar, is a day to celebrate our spiritual natures. We are not just bones and flesh, chemicals and electricity, we are beings of Spirit, one with each other and one with the eternity and infinity of Creation.

For me, the most powerful expressions of true Christianity in this material world are an unconditional love of all humans and an uncompromising commitment to caring for all who are sick, infirm, or troubled - as expressed in the biblical story of the Good Samaritan.

Healthy Reflections

Praise be to God! We might actually be getting somewhere in selling our house in Florida! It's been such a flippin' headache and pain in the rearend, BUT- we just got approval from BOTH mortgages. It's only taken 8 months to get them both on the same damn page! PLEASE PLEASE let this be over soon...




Are the stars aligned today or what? I got this in an email today and it came at a time when I needed it the most. A great reminder for me...

What you really learn from hardships:

"Perhaps you think this isn't very ‘positive' sounding, but I find it helps people (patients and friends) put hardship, which is inevitable, to good use," says Richard. "People can use their suffering either to gain character or become bitter. The ones who choose bitterness live a long, slow death. The ones who choose character truly live." Richard is right on the money. Happiness and sadness don't happen to us--they come from within. The story of your life will be written with or without your help. The next chapter is happening while you read this. Will you wait to see what it says later, or will you help write it?

Quote:

Suffering is the tuition one pays for a character degree.

- Richard M. Rayner, M.D., SparkPeople member


Side Note from Me:

Well, I'm no stranger to hardship! I've been through more than many people my age can even begin to fathom. I've lived through experiences that people in their 80's haven't experienced, but I've always tried to hold onto the "If God brings you to it. He'll bring you through it." My Character? I hope is a good one. I try to be upbeat and positive. I will be honest and say I've been cynical and sarcastic and yes, even a bit pessimistic at times when my Faith has waned a bit, but I've always managed to beat it back and find my strength, with the Lords help of course.

I think this note came to my inbox today as a sign that this particular hardship my family and I are going through is maybe coming to an end. I like thinking that anyway... Lord knows He's put us through a major trial this time around. It is my biggest hope that this is the start to the end of our suffering for this round and we might actually be able to have a break. We might actually be able to pull ourselves out of this pit. Until the next trial He deems necessary to test us with. Let us pray 'tis so! :)

Healthy Reflections: Never Giving Up

Never giving up:

Do you ever get frustrated because things are moving too slowly in your life? Many people don't realize that building a foundation for success does not happen overnight. It is a slow process in which you are constantly working and learning. After all, that foundation must remain strong, even in times of failure or crisis. This takes time! You may have to remind yourself that "failing" is only failure if you quit; otherwise it's a learning opportunity. So don't worry if your life seems to be moving in slow motion. Concentrate on building a solid foundation and learning from your back steps.

Quote:

Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.

- Chinese Proverb


Side Note from Me:
Oh my gosh I needed this! This is exactly how I've been feeling...frustrated because things are moving too bloody slowly in life! The job hunt, trying to get things together to go back to school, selling the house in Florida, getting out of this nightmare we're living with the economy, my weightloss and fitness goals; All of it is taking forever and I'm NOT a patient person. It's driving me nuts having to wait!

I've even caught myself saying to myself "Girl, ya gotta give it time. Be patient. Just wait it out, things will get better." Yet, I ignore myself and still find myself angry and frustrated that things aren't moving faster to get what I want and where I want to be.

After reading this though, it came at a time I needed it most. I will NOT quit! That's so not an option! My Mama didn't raise no quitter. So I'll just suck it up, put my big girl panties back on and deal. I'll keep plugging along making the healthiest, smartest choices I can, keep moving (ever so slowly) towards our future. Most importantly, I'll keep my Faith and keep talking to God. I know he's the one paddling the boat, so to speak, and things will happen when He deems it so.

I needed that lesson refresher this morning! :)