Living in the Moment

Fear can Rob you of your Joy
Worry can Rob you of your Health
Toxic emotions: Anger, Unforgiveness, Resentment, Envy can Rob you of your peace


When you choose to live in the Moment You have to consciously take your thoughts and turn them towards what is happening at that moment.


The Phrase "stop and smell the Roses..." is just about that.


STOP your thoughts of something in the past and something in the future and turn towards where you are at that moment. 
LOOK around you "what do you See"
LISTEN to your heart at that moment...
                       (Like you tell the kids when they are learning to cross the street. 
                              If they don't stop, look and listen they can get hit by a car)


CHOOSE to see around you with the "eye's of Christ.
CHOOSE to hear with the ear's of Jesus
CHOOSE to listen to melody of that environment


This mean's when you stop and see the overcast sky.... you may say - "there is a sun hiding behind all that"  POSITIVE THOUGHTS
You may see a see of humanity at the store - right in front of you in the check out lane.  Embrace the moment and see those people as Christ would.  Notice their face-  wonder about their story .... may contemplate about that...
Or the opportunity to STAND still for a moment in a line.... BREATH!  
CHOOSE to see life in a whole new way.


Point is.... my quest for Health and Wellness goes beyond the number on the scale.
It goes beyond the number on the lab test.  It goes beyond, into the place where you
elevate your thoughts towards WHO YOU ARE in Christ and WHY YOU'RE even alive.


It's the health and well being of your thoughts and how you enjoy your life.


Don't allow yourself to be ROBBED today.  
(sometimes our own thoughts are the thieves that rob us).  


Take a Moment to ask the Lord to help you LIVE IN THE MOMENT!


Yesterday I noticed the beautiful Coronado Bridge.  It was a thought of how I hate to drive on the outside lane over this very high bridge over water.  Yet, in order to get to a favorite Hotel of mine, The Hotel Del.... It's the best way to get there with out driving miles out of the way.  


Yes, just like the Royal Gorge Bridge... the highest suspension Bridge in the US (maybe the world).  The view is incredible on this bridge.... but freakin crazy scary to me since under your feet are wood planks that you can see between.  Yes, you can see to the bottom of the gorge! Ahhh the view, spectacular.  When you get to the other side there's so much to do and see at this tourist destination in Colorado.  You just HAVE to get across the bridge to have the opportunity to enjoy what's waiting for you. 


Well,  it's a truth in life.  Sometimes we need to go out of our comfort zone to get somewhere.  Sometimes we need to take a very high Bridge in our life.

Find the strength and courage in HIM.  

Trust HIM.  

Don't allow yourself to be robbed of the enjoyment of the amazing view from that bridge  on your path.  It's a beautiful, spectacular and amazing life when your not robbed by your fears.

Psalm 34:4

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; 

he delivered me from all my fears.

Again,  live in the moment without fear... trusting Him.

Live it, Love it....

Salute!  To your health and Wellness 

Change is in Your Pocket

Yesterday as I made a choice to go for a quick walk, I was inspired with a thought.

Now, mind you I've just finished reading a Book The Gift in You by Dr. Caroline Leaf. She spoke of how God created our minds (our gift).  Just like our finger print, the way we think is that different and unique.... No two people think exactly in the same pattern. Intriguing book.  Then she speaks that "our gift" can be blocked.  Blocked by memories of fear, unforgiveness, resentments... yes.... NEGATIVE, TOXIC thoughts.  God wants for us to use "our gift" for him.

So, when this thought came to me, I saw the glory of how God speaks to us.  I guess during my walk/run my mind is clearer and open to listening (multi tasking since I'm also listening to up lifting music).  Plus, my purpose of this walk/run is to pray for my family and friends... fellowship with the Lord....
 Strengthening my walk with the Lord  happens as I choose to  walk/run with Him.  
 In return I am blessed with physical and mental strength. 

Ok, getting to my inspirational thought. (GeeWhiz, I also like the one in blue above!)

It is clearly OUR CHOICE to stop a  bad habit or to develop a new habit.

But, this means we must make a change in our life.  This change must come from Deep within our self.  It must be a honest, truthful, sincere DESIRE. An almost passionate Desire. It takes commitment and hard work!







The Sweet Choices in our Life that bring us JOY


CHOICES  we desire to make in our life take CHANGE .
We only get that CHANGE when we reach deep into OUR pocket.

We have CHANGE  available in our pocket when we commit to WORKING for it.

Know that your choice's will takes Change
 Change comes from Working

Your choice, Your Change, Your Work
YOUR REWARD

Salute!  To your Health and Wellness

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, 

My grace is sufficient for thee: 

for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that 

the power of Christ may rest upon me.

  My prayer for you today is that you also will  Walk/run in His Strength

Fresh Beginnings

Waking up this morning and "slapping a smile" on this  ol face, then saying "thank you God for a new day" ... wow... a gift.... A new day! Yea!  A fresh start.

Yesterday is behind me and today I may a choice to live in the moment.

Forgetting the woes of the past and the worries of the future.

Live IN THE MOMENT.  A fresh new day!  

Like a  fresh clean canvas to paint a new picture. 

I'm in the middle of reading a book Life is Short-Wear Your Party Pants by Loretta LaRoche who is an internationally know stress-management consultant who advocates humor as a coping mechanism (my kind of girl).

Since her advise is not based in biblical principles, she states and advising waking up  saying "I'm back".  Ha, what a crack up!  I'm baaaaaccckkkkkkk"  LOL

Well, being Sunday and the 1st of August (another 21 day starts), I'm excited.  I've hit a 20 pound loss today!  whooeeee.   I started this last Oct 09.  That's right.  9 months.  Wow, it's like I just gave birth to a 20 pound pig! HA!  And, it's not just the loss of weight.  It's more than weight.  It's finding my "groove".  Choosing to feed my spirit is now more important to me than feeding my face! (eating is an Italian tradition that's very important).

It's choosing to feed my body daily (muscles, cellular level...) with
       ACTIVITY, exercise.  I'm stronger!
It's choosing Life giving food !
It's about what I desire to eat... not what I can't eat (like most diet plans).
A new me!  A new 50 something year old me!

Yesterday, I actually ran across the street before the light turned red.... I felt much lighter running.  I use to feel like I carried 10 pounds of weights on each foot as I was trying to  run,  not to mention a  loss of breath! I can actually RUN - WOW.

So, today is very exciting for me.

Then, this morning as I sought to feed my Spirit I turned on TV and find "church" and watched Joel Olsteen - he spoke on toxic people in our lives.
There's that buzz word, toxic!


Don't get me wrong, I believe in joining a community of believers (yes, church on Sunday's).  But, when You can't get there.... Feed your spirit
with a virtual "church".

So, back to the lesson today on Toxic people.
I've attached a list of the types of toxic people we should "close the door on".  As he said, "you can't fly with the Eagles if your hanging with the turkeys".   It's also good to look and see if people in your life consider you toxic.  There's a thought.

Matthew 7:3-5  

 ³"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵You 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.

Be Careful in your life.
Surround yourself with those who build you up, encourage you....
pray for those in your life that are naysayers (for they are thieves that rob you)! Bless them with your positive upbeat, "I can do it" words.... But, know your limits when to walk away and not let them become a noose around your neck. And don't enable them with your kindness to manipulate and use your goodness.
Thats my sermon for today!

John 10:10  

 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; 

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

I have learned during these 9 months -
I need the Lord (who came to give us life abundantly!)
I do best with journalizing and having other's join me and hold me accountable. (you may not know this but as I blog... it's as though "you " are with me... keeping me accountable, an lending me encouragement.
I need to honor and respect my body, mind and spirit

I cherish my life.... respect that it is a gift from God and can be taken at any moment.
I am in GOD's hands.... but I have a responsibility to care for what he has given me.

I desire an amazing joyful life....
I choose Health and Wellness....
My choice

Salute!  May you hear the music of Life today in your mind, body and Spirit and it feed you the blessings of Amazing Joy, Hope and Peace


Attachment:

8 Toxic personalities to avoid

 Although we like to think that the people in our lives are well-adjusted, happy, healthy minded individuals, we sometimes realize that it just isn't so.  Personally, I've had moments where I'll be skipping through my day, happy as can be, thinking life is grand and BAM, I'll be blindsided by someone who manages to knock the happy wind out of my sails.  Sometimes it is easy to write it off and other times, not so much.

Maybe you are a positive person, but when you are around a certain individual, you feel negative.  Or, maybe you have an idealistic view of the world and when you are with certain people, you are made to feel silly, unrealistic or delusional.  Or, maybe you pride yourself in being completely independent and in control of your life, but when you are around a certain family member, you regress into a state of childhood.

Some of these situations, and yes, these people, can have a tremendously negative impact on our lives.  And, although we are all human and have our 'issues,' some 'issues' are quite frankly, toxic.  They are toxic to our happiness.  They are toxic to our mental outlook.  They are toxic to our self-esteem.  And they are toxic to our lives.  They can suck the life out of us and even shorten our lifespan.

Here are the worst of the toxic personalities out there and how to spot them:

1. Manipulative Mary: These individuals are experts at manipulation tactics.  Is a matter of fact, you may not even realize you have been manipulated until it is too late.  These individuals figure out what your 'buttons' are, and push them to get what they want.

Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem.  They find ways to make you do things that you don't necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation.  The world all of a sudden becomes centered around their needs and their priorities.

2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them.  They are often not as sly as the Manipulative Marys of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their needs met.  You often want to say to them "It isn't always about you."

Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust.  You are left disappointed and unfulfilled.  Further, they zap your energy by getting you to focus so much on them, that you have nothing left for yourself.

3. Debbie Downers: These people can't appreciate the positive in life.  If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending dreary forecast.  If you tell them you aced a mid-term, they'll tell you about how difficult the final is going to be.

Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything.  Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity.  Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things with gray colored glasses yourself.

4. Judgmental Jims: When you see things as cute and quirky, they see things as strange and unattractive.  If you find people's unique perspectives refreshing, they find them 'wrong'.  If you like someone's eclectic taste, they find it 'disturbing' or 'bad'.

Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like Debbie Downers.  In a world where freedom rings, judgment is sooo over.  If the world was a homogeneous place, life would be pretty boring.  Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.

5. Dream Killing Keiths: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can't do it.  As you achieve, they try to pull you down.  As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.

Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be.  Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself.  Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.

6. Insincere Illissas: You never quite feel that these people are being sincere.  You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh.  You feel depressed and sad and they give you a 'there, there' type response.  You tell them you are excited about something and you get a very ho-hum response.

Why they are toxic: People who aren't sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria.  This breeds shallow, meaningless relationships.  When you are really in need of a friend, they won't be there.  When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are.  When you need support, they would rather see you fail or make a fool of yourself.

7. Disrespectful Dannys: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways.  In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies.  Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you.  Maybe it is a family member who puts their busy-body nose into your affairs when it is none of their business.  Or maybe, it is a colleague who says demeaning things to you.

Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don't respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy.  These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.

8. Never Enough Nellies: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy.  They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you.  They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.

Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them, that you will end up losing yourself in the process.  They will require all of your time and energy, leaving you worn out and your own needs sacrificed.

All of these personalities have several things in common.  1) the more these people get away with their behavior, the more they will continue.  2) Unfortunately, most of these people don't see that what they do is wrong and as a result, talking to them about it will fall on deaf ears, leaving you wondering if you are the crazy one.  3) Most of these people get worse with age, making their impact on you stronger with time.

Frankly, life is too short to spend your time dealing with toxicity.  If you can, avoid spending mucho time with people who are indicative of these behaviors and you'll feel a lot happier. Have you encountered these personalities?  What have you done?  Any personalities you would add?

by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance 

Who is stealing your Joy

                                                      Fear is the culprit that Rob's us of our JOY

One of my recent readings

Book: The Gift in You
By Dr. Caroline Leaf
Chapter 13 (Love and Fear)



As we've learned, an attitude is a cluster of thoughts with emotional flavor, and every type of emotion has one of only two roots - love or fear.1  Love and fear are the root emotions, and all other emotions grow from these.


The discovery that love and fear cannot coexist in our brains is revolutionary.  In fact, scientist have researched the anatomy and physiology of love and fear right down to a molecular, genetic and epigenetic level that can be described in detail. 


1.( Per,C.B. 1997. Molecules of Emotion: Why you feel the way you feel. Simon adn Schuster.UK.




If you say.... "what fear?"  Then stop and ask the Lord what is robbing your joy?
If unforgiveness, resentments, anger, disappointment all stem from Fear then..... well.  Clean house.
Ask the Lord  "what is blocking my Joy?".

I do believe when I reach for "food" and I'm not even hungry.... It's a sign
(if I'll be honest and think about it) .

The sign is  "I'm looking for something to satisfy me.... either fill a void or cover something up.

Dig deep!   It's part of detoxing our self.  Yes, what a concept.  We've talked and heard about "detox our colon".  Well, get on board and detox the colon of your mind and spirit!

You know what I'm talking about.

Salute!  

Two Masters

I started this journey last year.  The desire to become "healthy".   It was prompted from the fact that I just didn't feel well most of the time.  My main complaint was I'd feel at times off balance, sometimes queasy like a mild morning sickness.  But, I dismissed it and said that it was menopausal type symptoms and just getting older.  Then one day as I squatted down to pick up my grandson I couldnt' get back up!  No strength in my legs to do so.  I saw my body becoming more flabby and NO way wanted to play at the pool with my Grand kids in a swim suite.  What was going on!  Then I thought about the fact that my family gene pool produced women that lived into their 90's.  Oh, my Lord!  I still had 40 years left.  NO way did I want to feel and act like this for the next 40 years.  So, my quest wasn't about "losing weight".  But, that was the starting point.

To lose weight I knew as a Registered Nurse, was more than just reducing calories.  It was burning calories.
That rolled into exercise.  Now, I had tried the whole enchilada of losing weight to get skinnified many, many times.  Back in High School when I gained weight after I stopped walking to Jr. High and riding in a car to High School I gained weight.  After the birth of my first Child.... had to loose weight.  None of these times were more than 15-20 pounds but non the less, I had to actively lose weight.  I've tried it all.  Low Carb (seemed to work best for me), Lemon water diet, starvation diet....  etc.  Yes, I had enough success but it was always such a tremendous struggle.  But, this last time I had weight to lose...  Nothing.   I joined the menopausal women who say "I just can't seem to lose weight".

Then last year I came to the place as I have said where I just did not feel healthy.  Thank God I'm not on any medications or have any diagnosis of illnesses and or diseases.  Yet, I had to accept   my body was showing signs of aging and I felt old.

This time, I started the road to losing weight and increasing my body strength with journalizing (blog). I was on the Road to finding the answer while journalizing.
I  have discovered  many truths.

The most significant truth was the need to bring balance in my life. To acknowledge the  "whole me".  Mind, body and Spirit.   This then lead into the idea of  15/15/15 .

                              15 minutes a day for each area of our life: 
15 minutes of exercise/activity (minimum)
15 minutes of learning something new (reading, studying)
15 minutes of feeding our spirit with prayer and reading God's Word.

Next, I was hit from many directions with the concept of "Habits".
Things we do habitually, with no effort or thought.  We just do them.  I heard speakers on this subject, and came across authors who talked about "habits".  So, I then desired to change some of my habits and develop new habits.  I knew that it takes 21 days to form a habit.

There you have it in a few paragraphs.
Balance  in our Lifes
15/15/15
21 days

My formula to developing habits that lead to a  a balanced, healthy life.

Now even  9 months after starting this I still am finding things to think about and integrate into this formula for success.

I've heard it from so many people (myself included)  evening's are the worse time.  Wanting to snack at night.   In all honesty, I did that last night.  I saw the clock it was almost 10 pm.   So, I choose a "healthy" snack and rationalized it was ok since it was healthy.  But, I knew I wasn't hungry, didn't need it.... and chose to not quote scripture to have the power to just get a cup of tea instead.  W H Y !!! (a silent scream into the night..) do I do that!

This morning as I looked at my bible on my desk open to the book of Matthew, I ask God. What is this struggle, even 9 months later.  I have the tools to say no.  Your word.  I have the desire to say no.  Yet, I still do what I shouldn't do (I've blogged on this before and provided scriptures about Paul's struggles)

There it was "Matthew 6:24
you cannot serve two masters....

Self (carnal, lust... self serving.... feeding our lust and need for instant gratification)
Spirit (created in his Image, filled with His Spirit.... walking in Love, Faith, Hope)

That is it!  

Ephesians 6:10-20  

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, .....

  

Matthew 6:24  

 No one can serve two masters. 

Either he will hate the one and love the other, 

or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other

This is true!   This is why my journey to health and wellness wasn't just about changing my diet and  exercising.  It was about knowing WHY I wasn't healthy. Looking at me as a Spirit, Soul and Body. The whole me.
 It's much deeper than a diet or exercise plan.
 It was about  examining and talking an apprasial of my Spirit and Mind  NOT just my body.

Why do I make the choices I make?  It wasn't just about my body getting healthy.

It was my mind that needed a change in it's  "diet" and needed exercise. 

It was my Spirit that needed a change in "diet" and exercise.

 It's been a fabulous Journey.


Like Dorothy on the way to the Emerald City. 
She was on a journey down a  yellow brick road on her way to see someone to give her the answer.  

Oh, what and who she met along the way.  She met her "fears"
And just think about where she was going.  Emerald city,  a magical place, full of fun, happiness.. and Perfection.  What she really found was herself.  What was really important.  Being with those she loved and loved her.   la ta dee da!  There I go again.... off into my la la land of thinking.  Ya whooeee, I love it.   Well, silly but I find examples of truths in the strangest places!  

Bottom line was she had the answer with her all the time. 

She just couldn't see it until she had to make the journey to find it.

 We have the answer "inside us".  Of course, we were  Created in the image of GOD!  Our struggle (as I see it) is our wanting to be our own GOD.  Then we say we want to Serve God.  Well,  You can't serve two GOD's. It's either Him or You.  My will, or His will.

My confession today:

I  choose today to serve my Lord and Savior Christ.  To walk with him.  To hear, speak and see the world through Him.   I was made for God's pleasure.  He has told me through his word that he desire us to live life with Joy.  He desires to Bless me.  He has prepared a place in Eternity for me. I going to live as I was created to live.  In victory, stength and JOY!

Ok, I've got it (once again)  I will put my choices today in check.  I'll check if my choice will bring Glory to God or to me.   My war is inside my self. Which GOD will I serve today. 

  

I will, I will, I will do His will, His will, His will.

Salute!  

PS

Ephesians 6: 10

Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord's mighty power within you.