Friday, December 9, 2011
Acceptance... of the gifts & talents... AND the 'Never Ever Evers...'
My new favorite blog/writer is White Hot Truth -- and THIS POST made me burst out in tears today.
I think we waste a lot of time wishing for things --
I wish I was... a naturally non-cluttered person;
I wish I was... more organized
I wish I was... better at math
I wish I was... more athletic
I wish for everyone that we become happy with who we are. Right Now. That we love who we are at this moment... that we are becoming exactly who we are meant to be - with all our natural abilities (maybe undiscovered), AND all our natural non-abilities (I have to work at keeping things simple and manageable). I have to re-remember every time all the reasons why exercise is what I want in my life... every single time I go to exercise.
I wish for everyone that we love ourselves for what we can do right now.
It isn't that I don't want to have goals or things to improve or work toward ~ but the inner beatings need to stop. Accept that I'll never ever be a size 10... that I'll never ever have a flat stomach... that I'll never ever like to clean my house... that I'll never ever want to pull weeds or do the physical labor that is required for a beautiful back yard myself...
I am a natural singer, and have been blessed with musical genes from both sides of my family -- and I need to accept it, love it, use it and (hopefully) bless others with this gift. Stop comparing my special gift with others who ALSO have been given special gifts and talents.
Don't knock the talents you have just because it comes easily... there are people out there who wish they could do what we can -- and vice-versa. Enjoy the differences. Learn and challenge ourselves to improve... but love yourself all the time.
I think we waste a lot of time wishing for things --
I wish I was... a naturally non-cluttered person;
I wish I was... more organized
I wish I was... better at math
I wish I was... more athletic
I wish for everyone that we become happy with who we are. Right Now. That we love who we are at this moment... that we are becoming exactly who we are meant to be - with all our natural abilities (maybe undiscovered), AND all our natural non-abilities (I have to work at keeping things simple and manageable). I have to re-remember every time all the reasons why exercise is what I want in my life... every single time I go to exercise.
I wish for everyone that we love ourselves for what we can do right now.
It isn't that I don't want to have goals or things to improve or work toward ~ but the inner beatings need to stop. Accept that I'll never ever be a size 10... that I'll never ever have a flat stomach... that I'll never ever like to clean my house... that I'll never ever want to pull weeds or do the physical labor that is required for a beautiful back yard myself...
I am a natural singer, and have been blessed with musical genes from both sides of my family -- and I need to accept it, love it, use it and (hopefully) bless others with this gift. Stop comparing my special gift with others who ALSO have been given special gifts and talents.
Don't knock the talents you have just because it comes easily... there are people out there who wish they could do what we can -- and vice-versa. Enjoy the differences. Learn and challenge ourselves to improve... but love yourself all the time.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Day 331 -- Feeling Emotions
Ben @ Ben Does Life said it best on 11/29...
When things go bad... and when things go good...
go read it.
* * *
I've been crying on and off the past 4 days -- the emotional magnitude of what it means to have lost 100 lbs... it is huge. And I'm really slow at processing. And even slower putting words to the emotions that I have no words for... difficult to express oneself when no words can be found. So, tears let it out in the meantime -- most are happy, some I think are grief and regret... but those are short-lived, and the feeling of being ON the mountaintop returns and erases the old crap thinking/feeling, and a certainty of validation in myself that it is possible, and certainly if *I* can do it -- this thing is possible.
Totally, incredibly, challengingly possible.
48 more to go. Still a bit of a climb, but wonderfully possible.
End-of-Tunnel Light -- straight up ahead.
* * *
ETA: Nothing is done alone. I couldn't have done this alone. Life is about helping each other... Relationship.
I'm without-words grateful to my step-father & mom for making this financially possible, my own himself for being supportive both emotionally and financially as well.
When things go bad... and when things go good...
go read it.
* * *
I've been crying on and off the past 4 days -- the emotional magnitude of what it means to have lost 100 lbs... it is huge. And I'm really slow at processing. And even slower putting words to the emotions that I have no words for... difficult to express oneself when no words can be found. So, tears let it out in the meantime -- most are happy, some I think are grief and regret... but those are short-lived, and the feeling of being ON the mountaintop returns and erases the old crap thinking/feeling, and a certainty of validation in myself that it is possible, and certainly if *I* can do it -- this thing is possible.
Totally, incredibly, challengingly possible.
48 more to go. Still a bit of a climb, but wonderfully possible.
End-of-Tunnel Light -- straight up ahead.
* * *
ETA: Nothing is done alone. I couldn't have done this alone. Life is about helping each other... Relationship.
I'm without-words grateful to my step-father & mom for making this financially possible, my own himself for being supportive both emotionally and financially as well.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Day 328 ~ AT LAST!!
100 Pounds GONE!!
100.4, exactly. 48 lbs to go until goal.
I'm so relieved this day has come... excited to move on to the next goal -- and the next fitness goal, which will hopefully be the walk/jog once I reach goal.
Not particularly in the mood to write/blog at the moment, but wanted to mark this MILESTONE reached. :D :D :D
100.4, exactly. 48 lbs to go until goal.
I'm so relieved this day has come... excited to move on to the next goal -- and the next fitness goal, which will hopefully be the walk/jog once I reach goal.
Not particularly in the mood to write/blog at the moment, but wanted to mark this MILESTONE reached. :D :D :D
Friday, October 21, 2011
Day 292 (Eeek -- How is it almost Halloween?)
240.0 This morning. 4 lbs away on the Medifast Scale from 100 pounds lost. (Started this journey at 338).
A bit disappointed that I'm hovering around this number for so long. BUT... my love for TJ's Almond Butter with Roasted Flax Seeds and the realization that I'm an abstainer (keep reading)... have contributed, among other regular life things, to being in this holding pattern.
On being an Abstainer (vs. a Moderator) -- Samuel Johnson said:
Eating out in restaurants... sharing desserts is okay because once it is gone, it is gone -- and 2 or more people have helped. For me to order my own and only eat a few bites, or only eat half of it -- nope, not so much.
The Happiness Project blog is what brought this to my attention, and I'm for sure an "All Er Nuthin'" Girl! Which kills me... because I firmly believe that balance and moderation makes for an easier, fulfilling life... but apparently not for me. And I know I'm not alone... and what a bummer that I struggle with that 'never enough' issue. I'm sure there are some wonderfully deep psychological reasons for it... and perhaps as I continue on this journey this aspect of my personality will change. In the meantime, limiting my access to 'off plan' food is the only strategy that will work to keep losing
* * *
I took days off this week to clear stuff out of my room... and to listen to the Sweet Adelines International Webcast of International Contest in Houston, Texas that is happening this week. What a wonderful thing this technology we have (I truly have a love/hate relationship with technology...)
It is such an emotional thing to get rid of stuff. I love George Carlin's comedy routine about stuff -- so true. I've been collecting books and articles on questions to ask when trying to decide what should go and what should stay. The most helpful hint I've seen is "If I agonize for too long --> THROW IT OUT!! Don't make the decision whether to toss or keep a difficult one!" This one helps as I start going through stuff.
December will be my last senior citizen craft class -- I'll give them my ideas for future craft projects, and anything that I may have that I haven't already donated. I'm sad, but it is also a relief. Part of discovering who I am again (now that layers of extra weight are gone), is continuing to ask myself what it is I want. And the answer is always the same - music. My emotions are so strong about music and singing and what I want to be able to do... more on that later.
I've taken a small load of craft supplies to church... and my goal is to get pretty close to having all my scrapbooking supplies fit into one bag - and one bag for the album and pages. My cousin-by-marriage has reduced her scrapping stuff to this, and it just makes so much sense. Harder will be getting rid of memorabilia I've been saving.... It was more important when I was living in Scotland to scrap. And as I've lost weight I realize that I was scrapping to re-live good times, that it was a way to validate myself and keep my emotions 'up' with the good memories. I'm living a little more in the now, I think.
I do plan to keep on making cards and stamping...and there is a big cross-over in the supplies that it takes for that and scrapbooking... so it won't all go away (!)
* * *
I need to get back to regular posting... it helps me. And pictures (though not much has changed in the last month). I did finally make some muffins from the Medifast pancakes and different muffins from the eggs, shakes, & oatmeal... it has been a nice change to have "toast" with a bit of butter!
This is a weird, disjointed post -- I need some time away from the computer now, so it is what it is. :-)
A bit disappointed that I'm hovering around this number for so long. BUT... my love for TJ's Almond Butter with Roasted Flax Seeds and the realization that I'm an abstainer (keep reading)... have contributed, among other regular life things, to being in this holding pattern.
On being an Abstainer (vs. a Moderator) -- Samuel Johnson said:
"Abstinence is as easy to me, as temperance would be difficult."How I came to this realization: I brought chocolate in for my team at work -- we were having a tough month [plug here: Please Give Blood... and if you can't, please encourage those who can to do it....], and so for every appointment for a blood donation, they could have a small piece of chocolate. The Halloween candy had just come out, so it was easy to find bite-sized treats. I was fine resisting until I started on the Dove Dark Chocolate. Then I had a couple of the bite-sized Reese's peanut butter cups, then the chocolate kisses. The final straw came when I bought a bag of Tootsie Rolls at the dollar store, as a final test to see if I could just have the serving size (28 carbs) and leave the rest alone. And at the end of the day the entire bag was gone. No, it wasn't a huge bag - it was the $1 store... but I've learned, without a doubt, that in these things it is easier for me to say NO altogether, than to be okay with just a few. In other words - this is why I have to say I'm an Abstainer, as I'm not moderate about much in my life... especially food.
Eating out in restaurants... sharing desserts is okay because once it is gone, it is gone -- and 2 or more people have helped. For me to order my own and only eat a few bites, or only eat half of it -- nope, not so much.
The Happiness Project blog is what brought this to my attention, and I'm for sure an "All Er Nuthin'" Girl! Which kills me... because I firmly believe that balance and moderation makes for an easier, fulfilling life... but apparently not for me. And I know I'm not alone... and what a bummer that I struggle with that 'never enough' issue. I'm sure there are some wonderfully deep psychological reasons for it... and perhaps as I continue on this journey this aspect of my personality will change. In the meantime, limiting my access to 'off plan' food is the only strategy that will work to keep losing
* * *
I took days off this week to clear stuff out of my room... and to listen to the Sweet Adelines International Webcast of International Contest in Houston, Texas that is happening this week. What a wonderful thing this technology we have (I truly have a love/hate relationship with technology...)
It is such an emotional thing to get rid of stuff. I love George Carlin's comedy routine about stuff -- so true. I've been collecting books and articles on questions to ask when trying to decide what should go and what should stay. The most helpful hint I've seen is "If I agonize for too long --> THROW IT OUT!! Don't make the decision whether to toss or keep a difficult one!" This one helps as I start going through stuff.
December will be my last senior citizen craft class -- I'll give them my ideas for future craft projects, and anything that I may have that I haven't already donated. I'm sad, but it is also a relief. Part of discovering who I am again (now that layers of extra weight are gone), is continuing to ask myself what it is I want. And the answer is always the same - music. My emotions are so strong about music and singing and what I want to be able to do... more on that later.
I've taken a small load of craft supplies to church... and my goal is to get pretty close to having all my scrapbooking supplies fit into one bag - and one bag for the album and pages. My cousin-by-marriage has reduced her scrapping stuff to this, and it just makes so much sense. Harder will be getting rid of memorabilia I've been saving.... It was more important when I was living in Scotland to scrap. And as I've lost weight I realize that I was scrapping to re-live good times, that it was a way to validate myself and keep my emotions 'up' with the good memories. I'm living a little more in the now, I think.
I do plan to keep on making cards and stamping...and there is a big cross-over in the supplies that it takes for that and scrapbooking... so it won't all go away (!)
* * *
I need to get back to regular posting... it helps me. And pictures (though not much has changed in the last month). I did finally make some muffins from the Medifast pancakes and different muffins from the eggs, shakes, & oatmeal... it has been a nice change to have "toast" with a bit of butter!
This is a weird, disjointed post -- I need some time away from the computer now, so it is what it is. :-)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Day 253 ~ 93 Pounds Down!
7 lbs away from 100 pounds lost!
* * *
This has been (and continues to be) the year of cleaning out my head, clearing away pounds, and establishing new (healthy & fitness-oriented) habits.
I'm so tired of living with so much stuff. Soon it will be the year of 'bye bye buy' and 'Curtail the Clutter... by Curtailing the Crafts.' This is the beginning of a plan -- and it will probably start with the 100-lbs gone party happening in about a month.
My new theme: keeping my house 'spur of the moment party' ready.
* * *
9/11. 10 years later. Still stings. Still hurts. No words.
* * *
This has been (and continues to be) the year of cleaning out my head, clearing away pounds, and establishing new (healthy & fitness-oriented) habits.
I'm so tired of living with so much stuff. Soon it will be the year of 'bye bye buy' and 'Curtail the Clutter... by Curtailing the Crafts.' This is the beginning of a plan -- and it will probably start with the 100-lbs gone party happening in about a month.
My new theme: keeping my house 'spur of the moment party' ready.
* * *
9/11. 10 years later. Still stings. Still hurts. No words.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Lyn at Escape from Obesity on her post today said:
I'm learning that I may not want everything I thought I wanted. I'm asking myself a lot lately ~ "what do you truly truly want?" and then trying to make decisions accordingly. I've posted my Priority Hierarchy on the bathroom wall... and tonight I'm putting Work/Career ahead of chorus... Big Step.
Be Honest.
Whoa.
But what if what I really want doesn't match up with what other people think is the right thing to want?
I have to believe that other people have this thought... maybe in different words, though.
What if... what I want makes me appear arrogant, and unapproachable... or snotty? Or worse, un-lovable? What if what I want isn't right? And I pray about not my will but His -- and ask constantly about what direction I should be facing.
And the journey continues.
"Goal" is what I am doing right now: learning, experiencing, taking the time I need to become healthier in the long haul. "Goal" is a rich life and self awareness.Yes. Amen Sista!!
I'm learning that I may not want everything I thought I wanted. I'm asking myself a lot lately ~ "what do you truly truly want?" and then trying to make decisions accordingly. I've posted my Priority Hierarchy on the bathroom wall... and tonight I'm putting Work/Career ahead of chorus... Big Step.
Be Honest.
Whoa.
But what if what I really want doesn't match up with what other people think is the right thing to want?
I have to believe that other people have this thought... maybe in different words, though.
What if... what I want makes me appear arrogant, and unapproachable... or snotty? Or worse, un-lovable? What if what I want isn't right? And I pray about not my will but His -- and ask constantly about what direction I should be facing.
And the journey continues.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Day 236 ~ Scattered
Not 6 lbs away from 100 (math... grrr....) 12 lbs away.
And this morning I'm up on the scale, so who knows how far away I am from losing 100 lbs at this moment. I actually measured my lean and green last night - which I've not done in awhile... I did have an extra MF bar, however.
My walking buddy called this morning and she hadn't slept well, so wasn't going to make it. So I'm finishing laundry, I went to the grocery store to get celery, cream for my coffee, eyeliner, and more La Croix water (this blogger writes with passion about how awesome this product is!!) - which I found in Cran-raspberry flavor... can't wait to try it!
I've taken out the garbage, taken the recycling to the curb, and made morning coffee for himself and me. I'm planning on getting in the shower around 7:30 am, and was going to mindlessly surf on facebook, but decided I had time for a blog post.
I'm feeling stretched thin, and losing focus on making what I'm doing on Medifast fun. I've stopped trying new recipes, I'm not reading the blogs as much, or checking in at the forums. I'm trying to add another day of exercise in my week - which I did last week, and this week I'll now have to do tomorrow and Saturday.
I'm sporadic with my habits, and I know better! Which makes it so much worse. I think "just this morning" I'll skip my two glasses of water and vitamins... or my 15 minutes of dishes... or swishing and wiping the bathroom ~ and it leads to chaos (can't have anyone over syndrome) as well as boredom and complacency with my eating. I don't want to be complacent... or bored. I'm kind of in an emotional slump, and lacking motivation and inspiration.
The definition of being a grown up is what we do every day. Every. Day. routines (a la Flylady).
Priorities In Order:
And this morning I'm up on the scale, so who knows how far away I am from losing 100 lbs at this moment. I actually measured my lean and green last night - which I've not done in awhile... I did have an extra MF bar, however.
My walking buddy called this morning and she hadn't slept well, so wasn't going to make it. So I'm finishing laundry, I went to the grocery store to get celery, cream for my coffee, eyeliner, and more La Croix water (this blogger writes with passion about how awesome this product is!!) - which I found in Cran-raspberry flavor... can't wait to try it!
I've taken out the garbage, taken the recycling to the curb, and made morning coffee for himself and me. I'm planning on getting in the shower around 7:30 am, and was going to mindlessly surf on facebook, but decided I had time for a blog post.
I'm feeling stretched thin, and losing focus on making what I'm doing on Medifast fun. I've stopped trying new recipes, I'm not reading the blogs as much, or checking in at the forums. I'm trying to add another day of exercise in my week - which I did last week, and this week I'll now have to do tomorrow and Saturday.
I'm sporadic with my habits, and I know better! Which makes it so much worse. I think "just this morning" I'll skip my two glasses of water and vitamins... or my 15 minutes of dishes... or swishing and wiping the bathroom ~ and it leads to chaos (can't have anyone over syndrome) as well as boredom and complacency with my eating. I don't want to be complacent... or bored. I'm kind of in an emotional slump, and lacking motivation and inspiration.
The definition of being a grown up is what we do every day. Every. Day. routines (a la Flylady).
Priorities In Order:
- health & fitness;
- home & husband;
- work/career;
- quartet;
- family/relationships;
- chorus
Answer? Just keep going... don't give up... every day is a new day... be grateful for where I am, and trust that where I am right now is where I need to be. Start using my 15 minute timer... and STOP when it goes off, and move on to the next task!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Day 232
[Interesting side note: I'm very close to the number of days on Medifast equaling the number of pounds I currently weigh. Cool Huh?]
I'm 6 lbs away from being able to say "I've lost 100 pounds!!!" with a big HUGE happy grin on my face.
And then... when I sit with it for awhile, the enormity of this milestone overwhelms me.
How did I get to a point in my life where I needed to lose over 100 lbs?
I went to a Montessori pre-school, and I remember one of the teachers (I used to remember his name) was big on taking responsibility. The toys in his classroom were in much nicer condition, the books were not colored or scribbled in, and the kids there seemed more mature somehow (yes, things I noticed at age 3 and/or 4). I got to his class eventually... it felt as if it was a reward, a recognition of something, once you were able to be in his class. Responsibility seems to be something with which I struggle. A lot. Constantly.
As an only child, I was responsible. There wasn't anyone else to blame if something was wrong, or broken.
Until 2007, in my work life, I absolutely refused to take on any kind of job or career that involved too much responsibility. Perhaps I was so busy feeling responsible for things that were, in reality, beyond actually being my responsibility... that this could be one reason why I stayed in jobs that required less.
Combine this with perfectionism... and that produced a lot of stuffed down resentment and anger at things... pile on a serious People Pleasing drive ~ wanting (needing?) everyone to like me...
Then throw this ingredient into this emotional stew: I didn't say what I wanted (half the time because I didn't really know), and buried those "ugly" feelings that might cause people be get upset [can we say control issues?].
And the final little ingredient, a spice, really... I avoid confrontation.
Eating what I wanted, whenever I wanted to eat it... that became a way to rebel, I think. Rebel against all the "good" and "nice" I was being on the outside, not having enough courage to stand up for myself verbally, and caring WAY too much about what other people were thinking of me.
I'm glad I'm coming out the other side... it sure feels a helluva lot better!!
I'm 6 lbs away from being able to say "I've lost 100 pounds!!!" with a big HUGE happy grin on my face.
And then... when I sit with it for awhile, the enormity of this milestone overwhelms me.
How did I get to a point in my life where I needed to lose over 100 lbs?
I went to a Montessori pre-school, and I remember one of the teachers (I used to remember his name) was big on taking responsibility. The toys in his classroom were in much nicer condition, the books were not colored or scribbled in, and the kids there seemed more mature somehow (yes, things I noticed at age 3 and/or 4). I got to his class eventually... it felt as if it was a reward, a recognition of something, once you were able to be in his class. Responsibility seems to be something with which I struggle. A lot. Constantly.
As an only child, I was responsible. There wasn't anyone else to blame if something was wrong, or broken.
Until 2007, in my work life, I absolutely refused to take on any kind of job or career that involved too much responsibility. Perhaps I was so busy feeling responsible for things that were, in reality, beyond actually being my responsibility... that this could be one reason why I stayed in jobs that required less.
Combine this with perfectionism... and that produced a lot of stuffed down resentment and anger at things... pile on a serious People Pleasing drive ~ wanting (needing?) everyone to like me...
Then throw this ingredient into this emotional stew: I didn't say what I wanted (half the time because I didn't really know), and buried those "ugly" feelings that might cause people be get upset [can we say control issues?].
And the final little ingredient, a spice, really... I avoid confrontation.
Eating what I wanted, whenever I wanted to eat it... that became a way to rebel, I think. Rebel against all the "good" and "nice" I was being on the outside, not having enough courage to stand up for myself verbally, and caring WAY too much about what other people were thinking of me.
I'm glad I'm coming out the other side... it sure feels a helluva lot better!!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Day 225
At Medifast yesterday I was down 2.5 lbs for a total of 88 lbs down. While I was only down 2 lbs over two weeks, my body scan showed that I have lost 7 lbs of body fat. The walking 6 miles a week is helping!!
This morning on MY scale I saw a new number ~ 244.8. Discussion with my MF counselor yesterday was focused on ... staying focused. Journalling. Making a plan of eating for the week... and I promised to get back to blogging every day -- putting this BACK on top of the priority plan.
Yes, life has things coming at us all the time, things which want to move us [DISTRACT!] from one direction to another... things that look more fun, or look like a better idea "in the long run," or... in my case... "Look! Shiny!" And before we know it, we've stopped the good habits we're trying to build.
And while I'm giving myself grace and forgiveness when I stumble for a time... that doesn't mean that my Health/Fitness actions move from the number #1 spot in my priority plan/schedule for the day, week, month, year, decade... LIFE!!
And God needs to be overall, in all goals, in all actions, in all plans... and I've lost sight of how helpful it is to take time every day to just "Be Still and know that He Is God" -- to release my worries, my stresses, my anxiousness to Him.
As the Fabulous Renee Porzel said last weekend about chorus members on the risers... "[the director/choreographer's directions] release us from having an opinion." ~ I think this relates fabulously to God and what He wants for us... His desire for us to follow Christ... (and the "Plan for Life" that is called the Bible) releases us from having to think about it. Being obedient actually does give us a bit of freedom.
And this works for food, for exercise, for studying... just being obedient to the plan you're following, without argument, without cajoling, without bargaining... simplicity at its finest, really.
Ah... easier said than done, but what a good reminder for me today.
A number of years ago I lost 25 lbs doing the Weigh Down Workshop (Gwen Shamblin). I think the foundation of the program (eat when you're hungry, stop when you're satisfied... and when you want to eat from any other reason other than fuel and energy for the body, then turn to God and His Word to fill that emotional hole.) is sound, though I think there was too much guilt, and then the program lost its way when her church started up (!)... ANYWAY... my point was -- Finding Freedom in Obedience was a mainstay of the philosophy, and 'being released' from having to argue or have an opinion is extremely freeing.
* * *
Yesterday was very busy... 4 hours on the road to Chandler... met my mom & step-dad for a brief visit and coffee after the MF appointment... then Craft Class (Fragrance Diffusers)... then picked up the soap we made in July... then dinner with a good friend... then home to my cute hubby and catching up on Project Runway.
* * *
My friend's been a widow 3 years today... I can't believe it has been 3 years since that tragic bicycle accident that took away the life of a vibrant, energetic, God-loving, enthusiastic, intelligent, oreo-cookie-loving husband, father & grandfather.
We never know what the day will bring. It just reminds me again of what is important -- people and relationships -- not objects and possessions.
This morning on MY scale I saw a new number ~ 244.8. Discussion with my MF counselor yesterday was focused on ... staying focused. Journalling. Making a plan of eating for the week... and I promised to get back to blogging every day -- putting this BACK on top of the priority plan.
Yes, life has things coming at us all the time, things which want to move us [DISTRACT!] from one direction to another... things that look more fun, or look like a better idea "in the long run," or... in my case... "Look! Shiny!" And before we know it, we've stopped the good habits we're trying to build.
And while I'm giving myself grace and forgiveness when I stumble for a time... that doesn't mean that my Health/Fitness actions move from the number #1 spot in my priority plan/schedule for the day, week, month, year, decade... LIFE!!
And God needs to be overall, in all goals, in all actions, in all plans... and I've lost sight of how helpful it is to take time every day to just "Be Still and know that He Is God" -- to release my worries, my stresses, my anxiousness to Him.
As the Fabulous Renee Porzel said last weekend about chorus members on the risers... "[the director/choreographer's directions] release us from having an opinion." ~ I think this relates fabulously to God and what He wants for us... His desire for us to follow Christ... (and the "Plan for Life" that is called the Bible) releases us from having to think about it. Being obedient actually does give us a bit of freedom.
And this works for food, for exercise, for studying... just being obedient to the plan you're following, without argument, without cajoling, without bargaining... simplicity at its finest, really.
Ah... easier said than done, but what a good reminder for me today.
A number of years ago I lost 25 lbs doing the Weigh Down Workshop (Gwen Shamblin). I think the foundation of the program (eat when you're hungry, stop when you're satisfied... and when you want to eat from any other reason other than fuel and energy for the body, then turn to God and His Word to fill that emotional hole.) is sound, though I think there was too much guilt, and then the program lost its way when her church started up (!)... ANYWAY... my point was -- Finding Freedom in Obedience was a mainstay of the philosophy, and 'being released' from having to argue or have an opinion is extremely freeing.
* * *
Yesterday was very busy... 4 hours on the road to Chandler... met my mom & step-dad for a brief visit and coffee after the MF appointment... then Craft Class (Fragrance Diffusers)... then picked up the soap we made in July... then dinner with a good friend... then home to my cute hubby and catching up on Project Runway.
* * *
My friend's been a widow 3 years today... I can't believe it has been 3 years since that tragic bicycle accident that took away the life of a vibrant, energetic, God-loving, enthusiastic, intelligent, oreo-cookie-loving husband, father & grandfather.
We never know what the day will bring. It just reminds me again of what is important -- people and relationships -- not objects and possessions.
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