Listen to Your body.. .

It knows what it needs to be healthy. Over a year ago, I went to a new doctor due to a change in insurance. She gave me a 10-lb weight loss goal to be met by my next office visit. Only thing is, I've been trying to lose weight, with no significant success, for years now. I really liked this doctor because she related to me as an individual and not a statistic. I was motivated to shed the weight but where do I begin?

I'd already taken the first step by going to see the doctor and actively discussing weight loss options: portion control, exercise and medications if needed. But what really "turned the light on" for me was the checkout form they give you as you leave. I read the examination notes and noticed terminology that wasn't expressly mentioned during our visit. To find out its meaning, I Googled it! Then I Googled books about its symptoms. This led me to a book by Jorge Cruise titled "Belly Fat Cure". I took the principles in the book - mostly because I like to eat what I like rather than preset meals - and applied them to the foods I would eat. At my next doctor's appointment, I'd lost eight out of the 10 pounds.  

With this new weight loss, I was motivated to do more, but what? One day at work, I was reading a Nursing magazine article that talked about an app that helps beginner runners train and complete their first 5K. The app is called Couch to 5K*. I've always wanted to run and now I've found an app that not only motivates me to run but prepares me to run a 5K. I'm now in my 6th week of an eight week program and I'm loving it. I'm motivated to walk/run every other day. It feels like a natural part of my day and not a grueling work out session. All in all, I've listened to my body in two different ways concerning making lasting and healthy lifestyle changes. I'm not only excited, I'm Enjoying the Journey! 

*The app I use is called 5K Runner

Dear No One

There's a song with the above title sung by Tori Kelly and I think it's a pretty nice song. I especially like the premise of the song -she's singing to the man who is not yet in her life. So I decided to write to the man who is not yet in my life. What prompted me to write - cause you know I've been thinking about it a while - even though I've never felt comfortable enough to actually put in words what I feel on the inside? That song plus the fact that I'm also reading a book that really hit close to home for me emotionally. I won't name the book because I want you to be free enough to explore what's on the inside of you rather than limit this experience to what's on the inside of me. I want us all healthy, whole and complete in Christ.

The premise of the book is this: the lady knows her weaknesses and shortcomings and is willing to do what it takes to overcome this brokenness. In the process of getting her life together, she meets a man who essentially has similar weaknesses and shortcomings. He to has learned how to deal with his brokenness and as a result is able to more effectively relate to her. To outsiders looking in, it appears that a relationship between the two of them wouldn't work. However, because they are so in tune with their own flaws, they can recognize the limitations of the other person and is there to offer support when needed. That's what I realized has been lacking in the dating relationships in my life. I haven't met a man who understands the heart of me. Or one willing to take the time necessary to find out what makes me me. 

Dear No One, this is your love song:

Sometimes, I need someone who is strong

Who will be there for me even when I'm wrong

Cause his love for me won't let me stand alone

Sometimes, I want someone who understands

My need to always have a plan

Doesn't take away the fact that he's my man

Sometimes, I want someone who really cares

To hold my hand, keep me close, willing to share

Cause his love for me will always be there

Sometimes, I want someone I can love

Give him lots of kisses and many many hugs

Cause my love for him is sent from God above

. . . in well doing*

If you know the missing words from the beginning of my title, then I can almost guarantee that you think you know where this message is going. Over the years, I've grown to not like this passage so much. Why? Because of the missing words. From the first time I heard Joyce Meyer teach on this passage of scripture, my focus has been on the beginning words. It seems like I would always be given this passage as encouragement during my weary phase. I didn't want to hear about NOT being weary, I wanted to hear how to Reap. Even still, over the years, I just never saw the connection.

However, just recently, I actually SAW the meaning of those three words in my life: In well doing. My Pastor is currently teaching on discouragement and from his teaching last week, I actually SAW "in well doing" active in my life just as clearly as he spoke. 

It's true meaning is that the weariness doesn't come unless you are "in well doing". I had a situation to come up where I know God told me one thing but my circumstances told me another. I'd decided to believe God and made plans to celebrate. In the process of getting things ready, the plans I'd made had to suddenly be altered; I had to come up with a Plan B. So I did. But before I could execute Plan B, I determined to follow through with my original plans. Sure, it was gonna take a little extra time and effort on my part but I'm worth it. I stayed my original course and as a result was able to encourage someone else who's experiencing some of the things I'm going though. 

I don't know about you, but I'm determined that 2015 will be the year that I Reap because I certainly do not plan to faint. Just making the decision to stay the course I'd planned as a result of hearing from God has opened my eyes to see how I've been moved to receive less than what He has planned for me at other times in my life. In essence I'm saying to you, don't be moved my what you see, hear or even think. Your situation is subject to change. Don't settle for Plan B just because an obstacle presents itself right in front of your original Plan. Stay focused and determined to get full manifestation through positive change (working your original plan in a different way) in order to receive ALL that God has for you. It took me a while to get here but I'm here now and so glad about it. Just because I've been delayed doesn't mean I've been denied. And the biggest part of positive change is being able to see the other side -and I couldn't always see the other side for looking at what stopped me in the first place. 

*Galatians 6:9

Take time for YOU!

People have often been asked, "what's the one thing you would do if money wasn't an issue?" We all can come up with several things we would do. But what would you do if YOU weren't the issue? Meaning, if you stopped worrying about the things you didn't have and started using the things you do?" Would you put together the meal where you took the time to clip the recipe from a magazine? Would you finally make the greeting card using the craft scissors you bought? Or would you just throw yourself a birthday party cause it's your birthday? All of those things mentioned only need one person to get started and that's YOU! Why wait? 

Take time for YOU! I know my value and my worth but am I truly responsive to my own needs. Take for instance this scenario; a co worker got a transfer to another department. I've already informed her of our "date" to celebrate her new position. I've already planned to take her out to eat and get a card and have everyone sign it. I've thought about what she will need to make her last day in our department enjoyable. But what about me? My Doctor gave me a 10-pound weight loss goal to be met by my next visit. When I went back and I'd lost eight out of the ten pounds, what did I do? Watched my Doctor dance in her office cause she was proud of me. When all I could think was "I didn't lose all 10!" Why couldn't I just take the time out with my Doctor and celebrate what I did achieve? I needed to know that I was proud of me too. 

This New Year, I've purposed in my heart to take time for ME! Why don't you purpose to take time for YOU! Only you know what things are needed to encourage, inspire and uplift you, so do those things. I'm not saying be selfish and forget about others. What I am saying is to include YOU in your thoughts. Sometimes, only you know what you need. And who better to give you what you want. Go ahead, schedule that art class you want to take. Create a playlist that you dance to every night. Turn off the ringers on all the phones in the house and get a good nap. Buy yourself a birthday card. . .you just might be surprised by how you feel about yourself. Enjoy the Journey!

Facing the Giants

It's a New Year and I've purposed to engage life to the fullest for 2015. No more "waiting" for "it" to happen. Over the Holidays, I watched the movie Facing the Giants and I cried and cried and cried. Then I cried some more. I could relate to just about every character in the movie. In one way or another, I was dealing or have dealt with each issue they were dealing with. And when I looked at my life, it seems I keep coming up short. On Tuesday my best friend emailed me wanting to know if I was prepared for marriage and children in 2015. When I emailed her my response, this was her reply, "That's a lot of what if's. It may be that you want it too neat and orderly. Have you taken notice of children that may need you - Big brother big sister? I know you may not be ready for adoption. Don't you dare let 2015 see you crying unless you're saying goodbye to your what if's and hello to your what's next. Be that dynamic person and get out there. GO GO GIRL GO! Switch it up, flip it over, look at it upside down. I hope great things for you this year."

Have you ever watched the movie Facing the Giants? I purchased the movie in 2010, however, it's still relevant to my life today. Because no matter the season you are in right now, there will come a time when you will face Giants in your life. Those Giants will do whatever it takes to make you think you will be defeated 'this time'. There's a part in the movie during the Championship game when the opposing team comes out on the field. As they broke the banner, the players kept coming and coming and coming. Even the announcer commented that they had so many members on their team that they could play a new team each quarter. Sometimes, that's the way life make you feel: Like things keep coming at you and you wonder when will it ever stop. I realized over this Holiday season that no matter how many new players (tests, trials and temptations) come into my game of life, I'm still on the winning team! 

So, this is my response to my best friends email, "I'm just processing 2014 and refuse to take anything or anyone into 2015 that doesn't want to be with me. When I truly let go of the people that don't want to be a part of my life, I can receive the people that do." I also have another good friend that I receive advice from and this is my response to her similar question, "I'm going to start leading more with my head rather than my heart. I've got to realize that some people don't want me in their lives and/or they don't want to change their ways. That doesn't make them bad people, just people I can't allow to stop me from reaching my destiny. When I get THERE, I will definitely offer them a hand up if they should choose to take it at that time." Sure, facing your Giants can be daunting, and as long as you keep looking at them as they come onto your field, you will never see your potential to WIN!