Still to much of me or Straw that Broke the Camels Back

........... I came here from Provence, alone, uneducated. 

For 8 months - no more than that - a year, 

I sat in a café, I drank coffee, and I wrote nonsense in a journal.

 And then somehow, it was not nonsense.

 I went for long walks and met myself in Paris. 

You seem embarrassed by loneliness, by being alone. It’s only a place to start

A line from the Movie - SABRINA

Sometimes it does take a stressful situation, a change of events... 

the unexpected -  for us to reach out for answers.  

And when we come up empty

                          we hopefully turn and  reach into our soul to find the answers.

Reach deep into our soul - for only we have our answers.  

 It takes 21 days to form a habit.... So when you desire to make a change in your 

life start with going in reverse.  Do you recall the expression :

The Straw that broke the Camels Back

I see the straws on the Camels back as:
      1.  poor/bad  habits and behaviors that we have developed
      2.  commitments and responsibilities that we are saddled with.
It's a wonder some of us can even "walk".

Take one thing you'd like to change or one thing you'd like to start doing and commit to doing it for 21 days in a row.    Just one thing!  

One thing at a time  

One straw at a time  

One habit at a time  

One pound at a time  

One behavior at a time  

My title is "still to much of me".  


This is the thought  I had today that pierced me  at my core.  I was  dealing with a stressful situation and I  felt my emotions take hold of me physically (as they  will ALWAYS will do).  
 I heard myself say (chronic self monologue going on)

 "hey, it's still ME reacting like I've always done"

  

And there I was  attempting to justify my reaction.... 
    No matter what reasoning I had to justify my reaction...  right or wrong..
    the domino affect occurred:
    my mind, my body and my spirit went into a tail spin -  I was out of balance!

I want to be more like "HIM" and less like "ME"

  

When I balance me in Him..... then I will find ME in HIM!
I will find my peace and "act" in a situation.... not "react". 
               I will discover the person I was created to be.


I've been attempting since Last Year to find  the "real me"
                  .... A little like the line in the Movie "Sabrina".


The Me that I feel has been sat on, yelled at, dis-respected, turned down, rejected... faced a million tons of rocks in the road and walls to climb... (waaa, waaaa, waaa.... can you see me playing my tiny violin?)  Freak, I have had my share of troubles!  I have my scars to prove it.... that's why it's a challenge to change my thinking, behaviors and direction. 

                        I WILL NOT ALLOW MY PAST TO DICTATE MY FUTURE


What I truly, truly found is.....  "I need to balance"   then and only then, can I have love, success and peace.   


And to balance something is to first recognize what is OUT OF BALANCE.   


It is kind of like tires on a vehicle.  Gotta find which one's are out of balance so it can be fixed.  Well, Missy.... this gal had to get a Re-alignment! 


 So, I choose this journey that started officially January 1, 2010....  




I think the sign on my forehead should read:

If I look back over the past year of blogs and "21 day thing"  I've done many, many times,
I can see how I have had  to take one straw at a time off my back....  

the weight of the bad or poor habits  

I had developed over the years  

that have weighed me down much toooo long. 

I'm still removing straws on my back so that the
                 "one more straw" won't make a difference and cause me to fall (aka Fail).


Still plugging away.... oops!  I mean Still blogging away..... 

Don't forget....... 

             Mangi

                       Passeggiata

                      Amora 

Salute!   To your Health and Wellness


I believe everything God created is and has an energy.  
(learned this in science class that all matter is an energy)


When we need to stop a bad habit, we must replace it with a good habit.  
Because, the energy of the bad habit must be replaced with the energy of a good habit.  

Nature will "always" fill the void.... That is because the energy that has left must  and WILL be replaced.  


That is not your choice... it will be replaced with something.

But,  it is your choice that allows the void to be refilled with

 the old habit (that is why habits are so difficult to stop) 

or replace the old habit with a new habit.  

Food for thought..... 
  

Just a little....Wine

NOTE: 
This blog started due to my struggle to lose weight - So, I am preaching to myself each day through this blog

A Piasano of my mine, 

who's name was  Thomas Aquinas,  was born 1225 In Aquino Sicily. He was a Priest, Philosopher and Theologian.  He was one that took a more expansive view of gluttony,^[10] arguing that it could also include an obsessive anticipation of meals, and the constant eating of delicacies and excessively costly foods.^[11] 

Aquinas went so far as to prepare a list of six ways to commit gluttony,

The word Gluttony  Now I sound like the Father on "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"

Derived from the Latin gluttire, meaning to gulp down or swallow, gluttony (Latin, gula) is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of anything to the point of waste. In the Christian religions, it is considered a sin because of the excessive desire for food or its withholding from the needy 

Depending on the culture, it can be seen as either a vice or a sign of status. Where food is relatively scarce, being able to eat well might be something to take pride in. But in an area where food is routinely plentiful, it may be considered a sign of self-control to resist the temptation to over-indulge.

 *

• Praepropere - eating too soon, or at an inappropriate time
• Laute - eating too expensively, luxurious, exotic, or costly
• Nimis - eating too much eating food that is excessive in quantity
• Ardenter - eating too eagerly  
• Studiose -  eating food that is too daintily or elaborately prepared
• Forente - eating wildly (boringly)

I'm not trying to be a philosopher like my ol Piasano,  

but I'm going to go a step further in this discussion.

Gluttony, sin or no sin.... is a "health hazard" in two ways:

First,  (Physically)  it contributes to obesity and as we all should know leads to diseases, illnesses and an early death

Second,(Mentally & Spiritually) ....go with me for a moment.... food can be an idol    

I know, I know..... you're saying that is a crazy idea that food can be an idol.  But take a moment and think about how "focused" some people are on eating.  Everything is set aside for "eating".  How much Money is spent on eating out?  How much time and effort are focused on what, when and with whom they are going to eat. And the Risk of eating foods that are restricted due to health issues (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidema...etc).  

An addiction ! Yes, 

food can be "addiction" for some.  

A disease! Yes,  I said Addictions are a disease.

Gluttony is an epidemic today in America.... Gluttony Lives!

 It is astounding the statistics today on people in America 

U.S. Obesity Trends

Trends by State 1985–2009

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is calculated from a person's weight and height and provides a reasonable indicator of body fatness and weight categories that may lead to health problems. Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 2009, only Colorado and the District of Columbia had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%.

Thirty-three states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; nine of these states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%.

The animated map below shows the United States obesity prevalence from 1985 through 2009

-------------------------------------------- take a moment to read the  full article : http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html 

          ********************

          So you say ..... I know I "shouldn't eat the dessert" but 

I only have a little piece once in a while.

GOOD FOR YOU if you only have a "little piece" once in a while.  

But, if you have a little here, and a little there... here, there, EVERYWHERE, 

and your overweight,  or have issues with hypertension, elevated lipids, 

"borderline Diabetes".... than WHO ARE YOU KIDDING?

John 2:1-11
Jesus at Cana when he turned water into Wine -

Jesus at the last Supper

God created us not only for His pleasure,
but provided for our pleasures

Our Sight and Taste allow us to enjoy the Fruits of our Labor

 

  

 First Miracle and Last Supper 

were both centered around an event of Eating together

Nothing wrong in our gathering to eat and enjoying food

it's just that.....

We are  OUT OF CONTROL when it comes to our "pleasures"

and I have to say as Christians.... 

You can shoot me now cause I'm going to say it

Obesity can be symptom of an Unbalanced Walk with the Lord.

there.... I said it.

FOOD is not the Problem, it's the uncontrolled obsession 

with the Pleasure of Eating.

Everyone wants to ignore this problem

just like facial hair growth on Women... 

it's a fact!

Being over weight CAN be one of the symptom of an unbalanced life. 

ok,   Ask the person who say's they have a thyroid disorder and that's why they have a weight problem...  ask them when is the last time they ate ice creams, candy, ..... how many minutes a day do they exercise! 

  It is very RARE that weight gain is not associated with poor eating habits and lack of exercise.

 I know I'm being rough but it's a dishonor to yourself to lie and seek out excuses.  

Did you ever think that a  thyroid can be whacked out because  of  weight gain?  It's the chicken or the egg.  Which came first.  Hormones out of whack due to weight gain or weight gain due to Hormones out of whack.... HUMMMMMM "food" for thought. 

You may then say... "hey, I'm balanced"  Really?  Maybe you are... but first Ask some tough questions to get the answer.

can you.....

Physically:   Do 10  or more  push ups, or leg squats or run a few blocks  without being  too weak or out of breath...    Be honest with yourself.  Do you exercise every day?  How about 3 x's a week?   I mean really break sweat exercising!    And then there is the question of : How many servings of vegetables and fruits did you eat yesterday?   How many glasses of water have you drank today?    Being balanced means your physically fit - internally and externally.

Mentally/Spiritually:  Then examine your heart and ask this questions:  is  there someone you have anger, resentment or bitterness towards?  Do you fly off the handle at little events?  Do you have problems falling asleep, staying asleep?   How often are you taking an "antacid"?   Do you have frequent headaches (Migraines), bowel  problems?

Do you have issues with some of the signs of Gluttony as described above ?*

I know I'm being tough, but I'm being straight up about it. 

How about coming to a place where you say.... 

"I don't want that" 

instead of

 "I can't have that"

or it's ok to eat just a little...  (when you know you have a health problem or weight problem) 

There is such a freedom in changing your attitude about eating and food.  

There is such a freedom you experience when you choose to HONOR yourself and your body, mind and spirit.

Eating to nourish your body  

Finding joy in eating Healthy  

Desiring a big bowl of blueberries over a blueberry pie.   

(Allora....  a little whip cream on the berry's, that'sa ok) 

Make your own apple pie filling with fresh organic ingredients.  

Not some store bought packaged frozen pie....   

Ok.... Allora....  make  wise decisions on what holiday dessert and the amount.... 

Again, there isn't any thing wrong with a wise portion of dessert 

if it's made fresh and with love  (hahaha)

But know this....

There is such a freedom when you stop making bargains with yourself 

every time  you eat a large portion of a  high caloric treat. 

Like the Bargain of "oh, I'll start my diet tomorrow... 

or I'll exercise later to make up for this".

 When you balanced in your life 

you'll experience being satisfied with

a "Little Piece"  

 .It is my dearest hope that you discover the freedom in Balancing your life 

Physically, Mentally and Spiritually

....so you may find the Love, Joy and Strength to live a life of Health and Wellness.  

This is my quest and journey.

Ciao
 Salute!  To your Health and Wellness

PS again let me say this

Nothing wrong with dessert IF it is a wise portion, Not part of every meal and snack and best if  made with fresh wholesome ingredients.  Like my Mama's Cannoli's!  

Mangi

Passeggiata

Amore

Go to the Mat and get a Butt kicking: Preparing for the Holiday

Ephesians 4:23

   Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. 

(another version)

  And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind  

(having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude)

Once again, as I repeat to myself.... 

"be more concerned about feeding my  Mind & Spirit 

than my body 

when I wake in the morning,

RENEWING MY MIND and SPIRIT ....every day!

Wake up in the morning and "prepare" for another day.  

We NEVER know what the day will bring us.  

Sometimes good news, 

Sometimes bad news.

So feed and exercise ourselves Physically, Mentally &  Spiritually

 first thing in the morning to prepare for the day

Put yourself in check upon waking up.  Do you wake with a smile on your face and joy in your heart?  Hummmm (**mental note to myself about this- see below)

            So, when you wake and notice no smile, no joy.... RENEW the ATTITUDE!

This can be easily accomplished before moving your body out of bed.

FIRST - SLAP a big fat smile... yes teeth showing (scary before brushing teeth) on your face.

SECOND - Speak words of Gratitude for ... ya got it... waking up.  Reach deep to think of

     Three things to be grateful for... SPEAK it OUT!

THIRD - Offer yourself and your day to the Lord.  After all, you and your day is a gift - so

     keeping in the spirit of Christmas Season  "RE-GIFT yourself to the Lord".

Most of us dread dragging ourselves to the exercise mat or Gym... or outside to jog.  My suggestion.   Stretch before getting out of bed.  Yes, right there in bed stretch your arms and legs.    Stimulate your circulation before leaving the bed. Take some deep cleansing breaths.

There you go.... you've now accomplished  awaking and renewing yourself: 

 Physically, Mentally and Spiritually before getting out of bed.

Keep yourself in check through out the day.  Make some post it notes, a rubber band around your wrist, a voice memo on your phone...  "AM I Smiling?"  if not.... quickly think of three things to thank God for... then again offer yourself and day to the Lord.

It's almost December 1st!   Ready, Set, GO!   It's all about the season of Re-Gifting yourself to the Lord so you will be honoring him by honoring yourself.

It's your time to get HEALTH and WELLNESS into your being.

Ciao &

        Salute! to Your Health and Wellness 

Foot note:

**  waking up in the morning with a heaviness in our heart and mind is a symptom.

It deserves an examination into our heart and thoughts.   Are you:

Stressed out,  have unforgiveness/anger, you feel sorrow, disappointment, heartache, loss, jealousy, envy, resentment ....

These thoughts are based.... yes....  "ALL OF THEM" in fear.  

Love and Fear. 

 All emotions have their roots in either Love or Fear.  

Think about it.

Stress:  Fear of Failure
Unforgiveness/Anger: Fear of Rejection
Sorrow, disappointment:  Fear of loss
    (not a complete list... more to it, but this is just a snap shot of the concept)


So when you wake in the morning with no smile or joy... examine your heart and thoughts.

If your not able to pull out "what's wrong"... 

go to the "Mat"

(expression in the God Father Movie).  

Take it to the Lord and ask him to expose it to you. 
            (Maybe you need your butt kicked to straighten out your attitude)
 This can sometimes be painful to expose your root emotion of fear.


Easily remedied since  
                                             "In our Faith there is no room for Fear".    
This is where you can
exercise and feed and therefore strengthen your mind and Spirit . 
              Which in turn Strengthens and H E A L S  your body! 


Yes,  Headaches, backaches, skin problems, fatigue, depression.... all CAN be symptoms of a weak mind and spirit! 


True Health and Wellness is about having a 
                                            Strong MIND and SPIRIT as well as a strong Body.