Time to kick some ______ !

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've brought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” -Dr Seuss.

Hi everyone! In my last post I decided it was time to start giving a hoot about all the things I'd been ignoring in life-problems that are too big, issues that need addressing, and good intentions that need to be planned on purpose in order to be achieved! I'm sure you all know what I mean! But before focusing on individual things, I thought a list might be in order... does anyone else out there love lists too? I know I do!! If you are doing this with me, it's time to do an inventory too. What things do you want to see change in? What things do you want to achieve for your own personal growth or health, or to enrich the lives of those around you?

Proverbs 20:5 says "The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out."

We can have so many desires and intentions for good milling around inside our heads and hearts, but oftentimes we find we are not very focused, and as a result, we accomplish little. I believe that as we begin to draw out our intentions, plan how to achieve them, and act on them, we will begin to see new fruit- growth, change and maturity in these areas of our lives!

So here goes... These are some of the things I have been feeling convicted about:

• My own health- adopting a permanent healthy way of eating and using food, and a permanently more active lifestyle!
• My family's health- doing what I can do to help them with health challenges, and be an example for them/encourage them in the adoption of a healthy lifestyle too!
• My relationship with my husband- there are many things I know he would love me to do, perhaps I could do more to bring a sense of wellbeing and togetherness in our marriage!
• Being on time- making whatever changes I need to make to help me and my children be consistently early or on time to things! No more lateness!
• Caring more for my appearance- No. I'm not talking about expensive beauty treatments every week, or designer label jeans (although praise God if you have these!), I'm simply being convicted about taking more care over what I have- caring for my skin, for instance! I feel it's time I stopped taking what I have for granted, and started purposefully caring for what I have. It makes me feel happier and more lovely, sets a good example for my girls to follow, and makes my husband feel more positive too! (But more about that in another post!)
• Being a better steward of my finances!

Over the coming weeks, I will look at these one by one, and no doubt, add more along the way! I hope you'll enjoy the journey with me! Sadly, I have to make a dash now- it's time to go to Bible Study! Have a great week, and I'll see you again soon!

Blessings,

Staying on track, in a yummy way!

Hi everyone, just a quick post today, to let you all know I'm doing well with my new diet and exercise changes! I wasn't keen on having salad "again!" for lunch today, but I'm glad now, as it was delicious, and I've stayed on track with my eating because I chose to just do it anyway! Also, for Bible Study tonight, I felt like being Suzie Homemaker, and actually baking something for a change, so I Googled 'healthy recipes', and found a nice sounding easy recipe for honey biscuits that sound healthy and delicious! If they prove to be a winner, I'll post the recipe here for you all. No doubt I'll modify it a bit, being one of those cooks who likes to splash in all sorts of interesting ingredients, but the original can be found at Spark Recipes: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/home.asp?gclid=CPTws6aBgpMCFQWiggodDkqLGA
Happy cooking, and have a great week!

Quit giving up!

Hi everyone, I know.. it's Thursday, not Wednesday, but I was so encouraged by Darlene's story on Live Well this week, that I just had to add the gorgeous pear logo... (is that pear getting slimmer, by the way??)
Darlene was telling the story of a couple who planted daffodils, just a few at a time, over many years, until eventually they had a vast hillside garden- one of the largest and most breathtaking daffodil gardens in the world.- It's amazing what can be achieved with consistent effort!
We were talking about this a bit at our home Bible study last night. It seems so many of us have become used to getting things NOW- not having to work and wait, and work and wait some more, until eventually we see the fruit of our efforts. Perhaps we blame society, the 'instant' generation, or whatever, but when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, all we can do is stop making excuses, and start changing ourselves.
It's time to accept that improving our health, our bodies, our mindsets is going to take WORK and PATIENCE, and a whole lot of it, too! We've all heard the cliche before- "It won't happen overnight, but it will happen!" Yeah... thanks. Well I've found that it hasn't happened. Why? The only reason that holds any water is: Because I keep giving up too early! Well it's time to get my fingernails dirty, to get a sore, bent ole back from planting so many dang flowers! Who knows, maybe if that little couple had given up every time they felt a twinge in their backs, they wouldn't even have filled a garden the size of a sandpit!

You know, sometimes I feel like just a bag of hot air (albeit an entertaining one!!), because I make all these commitments to myself, pontificate on what I should and shouldn't do, and I sound so convincing, too. But then in not more than 48 hours, I am at the bottom end of the see-saw, thinking "I can't do this", or "Who am I kidding- I'm never going to win over this thing!"

But my ever-wise and altogether gorgeous hubby reminds me that it's at these times that the Nike principle applies... don't get bogged down in your feelings and self-doubts.... Just Do It! Just put those runners on and get some exercise; just make the right food choice... again.

Don't give up. Haven't you spent too long already on the endless hamster wheel of trying and failing- I know I have.
So don't try anymore- Just do!

Don't give up, my friends. It may take a while, but in time you will reap a great reward. Remember this promise from God's word- "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. A man reaps what he sows.... Therefore let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!
- Gal. 6:7 & 9.
God bless, everyone, and keep moving forward!


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