Daily Inspiration

We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. - Native American traditional.

Plant Trees For Your Grandchildren:

Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents,it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. - Native American traditional

Everything you do, and everything you do not do, is your legacy to future generations.

Ecology is important. Thirty years ago, Tampa Bay was polluted and dying. Today, the fish are swarming. A small island near my home is roost for perhaps 2000 birds, including once-endangered pelicans and frigate birds. The eagle in today's picture visited my dock today. That eagles would return to this part of Florida was unimaginable. Few would have thought that Tampa Bay could have recovered, and that recovery has taken decades, but nature is amazingly resilient when we humans stop attacking her.

What you do for your biological descendants is important. The values that you teach your children through your example will be the values that they teach their children through their example.

Today's message is bigger than ecology and bigger than your blood line. EVERYTHING you do, and EVERYTHING you do not do, is your legacy to future generations.

Today's acorns grow into the oak trees of thirty years hence. But what acorns are we sowing today? Imagine what an acorn-sized bit of prejudice or hatred would grow into. Imagine what an acorn-sized bit of pollution can become.

Our legacy to future generations will grow from the acorns of our actions and inactions today in global affairs, energy, ecology, education, and wellness, as well as the personal values we demonstrate to those of this and future generations through our everyday behaviors and attitudes.

Hard Week

I'm having a hard week. Many know from my previous blog "Tired", that I've been struggling with the Holiday Demons. Winter is SO NOT my cup of tea. I've been working hard all week just to paste a smile on my face. I hate feeling so lost, as my previous blog goes on and on about our financial stress which has discouraged me greatly, to say the least. I've been so depressed and sad that I haven't done any fitness, my eating has been not good. I haven't over eaten, which is a good thing, but because I've been so down, I've eaten very little this week, but it's been all the wrong foods and my water intake has been nil to zero... I still lost another pound, HOW, haven't got the foggiest clue, but I won't complain about that! Just lost my Mo-Jo this week. Hoping I can find it again soon...

I have a dear friend on Facebook. She is struggling with her want of loosing a few pounds and having to give up her current eating habits to do so. She wants to start taking a diet pill for a "quick fix". She says I inspire her because I'm looking so beautiful with my current weightloss, but she doesn't want to give up her "sweets" habit and "junk food" habit. She totally hates exercise and says she refuses to kill herself by working out. My advice to her is:

First, there is no such thing as a "quick fix" when loosing weight and being healthy. I've learned that the hard way myself. It'll work for the short term, but it won't change YOU. The one thing I'm learning with this process is: If you don't change your attitude about food, if you don't change your lifestyle and habits you'll only end up right back where you started. And if you aren't ready for any of the above; you will NOT loose weight and be healthy. But again, you have to WANT to do all 3 of those things first. Believe me, I've been battling the weight for over 16 years, Yo-Yo style. I'd loose and regain+, I'd loose again and regain++. Until I got to the point where I had to CHOOSE to CHANGE ME.

Now, I've gotten the lifestyle and eating habits figured out and I work hard every day (most days) to make the best, healthiest decisions for myself. If only I could get this depression and anxiety under control, in fact, make it go away completely, I'd be 100%.

I'm glad I've gotten to the point where I can "inspire" people. That was never my goal or intention. I just wanted to loose weight, look better, feel better about myself as well as in the mirror and I wanted to be healthy. But it makes me feel so good when someone tells me I've inspired them! What a great feeling that is to know I, ME- little ol' me, has helped someone better themselves, even if it is only for them to WANT to change, but haven't quite gotten there yet.

I seriously hope, my mood is better next week. With the actual Holidays upon me, I have got to dig deep and find my strength to stay positive and neglect the temptations that will surround me in the next few weeks. I'm not so much worried about the food part, as I am trying to be HAPPY. I know I have enough will and determination to ignore the foods I know will sabotage my success thus far, but I don't know if I'm strong enough yet, to keep the depression and anxiety from taking over. I am trying, trying as hard as I can to fight it. I just pray I win!

Healthy Reflections

Lifting yourself up and continuing forward: Does it ever feel like trouble follows you around and won't cut you any slack? Sometimes it feels like you can't buy a break and everything you try just makes things worse. Who could blame you for feeling sorry for yourself or not forgive a little self-destructive behavior? Bad idea. The new, healthy way to spend down times is to lift yourself up and operate at a higher level. Remember that what happens to you is not who you are. It's history. It's past. Your true self takes that history and decides how to make the best possible future out of it. You have the power to keep your attitude and values from driving into the ditch along with the events in your life. From defeat, you can still emerge victorious. Quote: When things go wrong don't go with them. - Elvis Presley, rock idol

Hope

"Never give out while there is hope; but hope not beyond reason, for that shows more desire than judgment."
– William Penn

A Friend

"A good friend is a connection to life. A tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world." - Lois Wyse

Impact

You can impact more people than you'll ever know:

Too many people sit on the sidelines of life waiting for that one great opportunity or the chance of a lifetime. We seldom realize that while we are waiting, we are missing the small opportunities to make a difference that surround us in our everyday lives. For example, you could pick up the litter on a street that you travel often, help someone carry her groceries to her car, or offer to help a child read a book. Of course, this list could go on and on. Your small action could make all the difference in the world to someone and you may never know it. Don't sit around and wait for the BIG CHANCE because you never know...one of those small opportunities might turn into the next chance of a lifetime.

Quote:

Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.

- Sally Koch

Side Note from Me:

-Some people ask why I post so many things. Others tell me what an inspiration I am to them and help get them motivated to change their lifestyle. A few have told me to keep posting, because they read everything. The reason I post these little blogs and other posts about healthy eating, weight control, lifestyle etc is so I have a reminder of all I've done for myself. I can go back and read my notes if I'm having a problem or loosing my Will, but if the notes and posts can help someone else in some small way. If only one person reads my notes and posts and then finds the will power, strength and courage to be healthy or change their lifestyle...then I've done something good all the way around.

I never set out to be a motivator. I never set out to be a mentor. I never set out to inspire anyone but myself. I never dreamt that I could help someone change their life, but I've had many tell me I inspire them. I motivate them. That's a great feeling and I'm glad to know I've helped someone. All I wanted was to change my way of life, my outlook about myself and fight off the anxiety and depression that was consuming me... but along the way, this journey has taught me that I too can change someone else's outlook about themselves and in turn, it further alleviates my own demons. I've still got a lot to learn, many demons to fight off and much weight needs to come off, but I now know I have the tools, the witt, the strength, courage and will power to beat them. One day, one step, one pound at a time. And if that in turn inspires others to do the same... That is just terrific and fine by me!

Tired

I didn't know what else to do, but write this down and get it out. I'm not blogging this for pitty, sympathy or to have anyone feel sorry for me. Advice is great, but really, I just have all these feelings bubbling up inside me and I needed to get them out. I doubt anyone even ever read this anyway...

I'm so tired. More tired than I ever thought a person could be. I'm drowning and I don't know what to do to stop it. I hate this feeling of utter hopelessness and sadness. I'm desperate to feel happy and carefree again.

It's this time of year! I hate winter. I hate cold. I hate the darkness that comes so early these days. I miss Florida; the warmth, the sunshine, the sea breeze. It's hard because I love it here in Oregon so much too. And it's not as bad here in Klamath Falls as I thought it would be, of course it's still early yet, so the weather can and may still change for the worse, but at least there is a great amount of sunshine during most days that does help. But I want to go back to Florida so badly!
I miss my own home. I miss my own stuff. I've given up so much and it's really hurting me. I hate feeling so patheticly, whinny over material stuff, but my husband and I worked our butts off to own it and now it's gone.

I'm tired of being poor and insecure financially. I am so sick of having to worry every second of the day where our next meal will come from or how we'll afford new shoes for the kids or how we'll pay the damn cell phone bill or if we'll have enough wood to keep us warm. I long for the day I have financial freedom and security: Will that day ever come? Or am I doomed to live like this forever?
I try, I really try hard to not think about that and be thankful for my blessings... and really I am forever grateful for the things I do have, but WHY, why has all my life been a struggle just to put food on the table? Why do I have to choose between eating or buying shoes for my kids? I'm tired of life being so bloody hard.

I sound like such a whinny brat! I hate that about myself. I know I have A LOT to be thankful for and I shouldn't take any of it for granted and believe me, I don't! I know things could be much much worse than they are, but the fact remains, I'm tired of living this way. No matter how hard we work, scrimp, save, scrounge and do right... we never ever get ahead. We never get a break and we never
have any money to do anything.

I don't want to be "rich" and spoiled like these million dollar people are. I NEVER want to be that way. All I want, all I've ever wanted, is to just live comfortably and have the freedom and security money would offer. A nice home of my own, that can't be taken away by anything other than mother nature, if she so doomed. Health insurance so my family and I can go to the Dentist, the eye doctor, or just to get a checkup! To be able to buy groceries without food stamps! To buy household items such as toilet paper, laundry soap, toothpaste and razors without worrying that if we buy those things we won't be able to pay a damn utility bill or make the car payment. All I want is to be secure enough to go into a store and buy a new pair of shoes without feeling guilty for spending money on myself when my kids need a new coat or a pair of jeans. I want to be able to go out on a date with my husband and not have to eat off the McDonald's $1 menu because it's all we can afford. I'm just tired of it. All of it. Tired of being stuck at home because we can't afford to go anywhere. We can't even go bowling or to see a movie. It's sucks having to be stuck at home all the time because we can't afford to go out.

Many people throw it my face that I don't have a job and that maybe if I worked there would be money to go around. Well sure! But, we only have one car, I have very little experience in the workforce and who will be here to make sure the kids stay out of trouble if I'm not here? Not to mention, it took my husband a full year to find a new job in this economy... and it's minimum wage! It pays LESS than Unemployment was paying him. So how the hell am I going to find a job? I've applied to various places for clerical or cashier work. It's all I know how to do, and nothing! No response to applications. Who wants to hire a 'stay at home mother" with no skills, when there are people out there with college degrees vieing for the same jobs who have skills? NO ONE! That's who.

And besides of which: My having a meesly paying job won't change our dire straights at this point. Two minimum wage jobs won't give me the financial freedom and security I'm looking for, in fact, that would just make me feel worse! Because not only would I not be bringing home enough money, but my household would fall apart too. I'm from the "old school" that a mother's duty is to her kids and household, and take care of her husband. I'm a wife and mother, that's all I know. I could find part-time work... again, sure! But really... what good would it do? I'm all for getting out of the house for a few hours a day and having the chance at meeting new people. That would be the only good thing about me finding a job. If I could actually find one!

I'm drained, I'm wore out, I'm tired. I need to figure out what I'm suppose to do with these feelings and get over it!

Sleeping on It

Why "sleeping on it" is good advice:

Tough challenges call for clear heads. Muddled minds and sluggish skulls make bad decisions and are quick to rash reactions. For sharp thinking, nothing beats regular amounts of good sleep. Some say that your subconscious works on problems while you rest, and that's why solutions come easier in the morning. Could be. Or it could be that brain power is strongest after a good night's sleep. So instead of staying up late, you might actually get more done in the long run by going to bed instead and closing your eyes. With just a little sleep awareness, your mind can stay alert longer through the day and block out your troubles when it's time to sleep. Because if you're dragging all day, or nearly fall asleep in the afternoon, you may be causing more problems than you solve.

Quote:

It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.

- John Steinbeck, author