Thanksgiving

I found these questions online and I figured they were appropriate for today, seeing as it's not just our day to stuff ourselves silly, but our opportunity to set aside one day out of our year specifically for thinking about what we are grateful for.  Frankly, I think a lot of us would be happier if we treated every day this way.  But I guess if we can't, one day out of every 365 is at least something.  

I've been trying to be grateful for what I have instead of constantly worrying about what I don't.  When a person in my life is causing me grief, I picture my life without them and realize I'll take that grief and then some as long as I can keep them.  When I start complaining about my stupid car, with it's dented and rusting hood, an engine that sounds like an airplane, and a heater that takes WAY too long to warm up, I imagine what would happen if tomorrow I woke up and it wouldn't start- I am immediately grateful that the engine starts every time I turn the key, even if it does make people stare.  When I start thinking that I hate my job I think of what my family's life would be like if we didn't have that paycheck every 2 weeks and the day doesn't seem like such a chore.  When I'm overwhelmed by life I think of all the people who have sacrificed and prayed and worried and hugged and cried for me over the years and I realize I was given so much more than I deserve.  

So today, on this day of Thanks-giving, I am thinking over all the things I am grateful for.  I won't even go about naming them here because the list is just too long and in a lot of ways way too personal for a public blog.  But they are on my mind and in my heart.  And as my heart fills with every blessing, I realize my biggest responsibility right now is to share what I have.  Not just material things, but my time, my talent, my heart and soul.  These things were meant to be shared, as they are not really mine to begin with but gifts given to me by a loving Father in Heaven.  So instead of thinking of all the things we don't have, or even just thinking of all the things we DO have, instead how about we think of all the things we have to GIVE.  

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!    

Here are 12 questions to help you invite some gratitude into your life:

1. What have others done that has benefited by life—even if I don't know who those people are?
2. What relationships am I thankful for?
3. What am I taking for granted that, if I stop to think about it, I am grateful for?
4. How can I be thankful for the challenges that I’ve experienced? What did I learn from them?
5. How is my life different today than it was a year ago? How can I be thankful for those changes?
6. What insights have I gained that I am grateful for?
7. Who do I appreciate? Why?
8. What material possessions am I thankful for?
9. What about my surroundings (home/neighborhood/city/etc.) am I thankful for?
10. What opportunities do I have that I am thankful for?
11. Where can I help people more?
12. How can I say thank you more?

Help Wanted!

In 17 days I will be turning 29.  I am not freaking out, I promise.  But that means that in 382 days I will be turning 30.  Still not freaking out. 

However, this has made me realize a few things I would like to get in order before I turn 30.  My pre-30 bucket-list, you could say.  I've accomplished a lot of smaller goals of mine over the last few years and am starting to feel better about the state of my life.  But 30 is big (not to mention that my 30th birthday will fall on 12/13/14- the last consequetive date in this millenium!...) and I have one particular thing that I would like to have a better handle on before this landmark- I WANT TO BE HEALTHY!  Not healthy for 6 weeks here or there, not yo-yoing up and down, not obsessed with the number on the scale... consistently, naturally, and realistically healthy.

So, 2014 is my year, people, and I'm looking for your help!  Help give my 2014 incentive a name, like Project: Thirty, Flirty, & Thriving... or something way better than that.  I need you help!  Also, for you "Mission:Turning-Thirty" (?) veterans, what was on your 30-bucket-list?  What did you wish you had put on your 30-bucket-list?  What do you know now that you wish you had known then?  I'm looking for guidance and inspiration to help my hurtle this milestone gracefully, especially since I will not be using alcohol to help me get through it.  :-)  Sturdy Thirty?  Thirty-Schmirty?  Seriously, I need your help.

There's still time to start again

 

We're starting a new Whole 30 tomorrow!  http://whole9life.com/2013/08/the-whole30-program/

I'm exhausted and bloated and sick.  My acne is out of control, I've put on a lot of weight, my headaches have taken over my life.  It's time for change.

My husband and my 10 year anniversary is coming up at the end of November.  TEN YEARS!!!  I know that may not sound like a lot for some, but seeing as I'm not even 30 ten years seems like a substantial amount of time.  I would like to be feeling better physically as we reach this milestone in our relationship.

My previous post explains how I've finally found the peace I've been looking for emotionally and spiritually.  This Whole 30 is to get my body on board with the rest of me.  And I know that when my body is healthy, my emotions automatically follow suit.  Maybe I should call this Whole 30 "Whole Peace".  :-)

Good night, Everyone.  Tomorrow starts a new day and another chance to get it right.  What's one thing you will start doing tomorrow to improve your life?

Comfort and Hope

I've recently had a personal epiphany.  It opened my eyes, opened my heart, and reopened the hope inside myself in a way that I never thought possible.  I won't go into details, some of you already know them.  The details aren't as important as the way I've been feeling over the last month.

Anyone who has known me for a long time knows that I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, more informally known as the Mormon church and not to be confused with the Fundamental LDS church who still practice polygamy (think Big Love and Sister Wives- yeah... not us).  I was baptized into this church 20 years ago when I was 8 years old and I have known of it's truthfulness for most of my life.  If you love me and trust me and would like to know more about what I believe in, please do not just Google "Mormons"- check out this site:

http://mormon.org/

Anyone who has known me more recently, over the last 6 years or so, may not know this about me.  I have been floundering for a long time.  For some reason, and to be completely honest with you I no longer remember what those reasons were, I thought I could find true happiness outside of the plain and simple truths that I once held so tightly to.  Over the years, reading self-help books, starting countless diets, and attempting to live with a positive mental attitude, I have found moments of peace.  Moments of happiness.  But as most moments are these were fleeting, and when they left the residue was a sense of hopelessness and a feeling that I would never be able to find true and everlasting happiness.

The saddest part is that I already knew where to find this happiness, but I had hardened my heart to the plain and simple truths that I knew.  I still believed in the gospel, but I didn't USE it, I didn't put it into action in my life.  Faith without action doesn't work, it doesn't survive, it's useless.  Faith isn't just believing, it's doing and living.  Faith is alive.

So a little over a month ago I had a spiritual awakening like I had never before had in my life.  I suddenly realized the power of building a relationship with our Father in Heaven.  I felt a rush of love and happiness and mercy like never before and I KNEW that God was listening and that He loved me.  This is the most important thing that anyone can realize- that there is a loving Father in Heaven who knows us each by name and wants nothing more than for us to reach out to Him for help and guidance so that someday we may return to live with Him.  This I know to be true with every fiber of my being.  And through prayer I have been strengthening this knowledge and also my relationship with God and He has been blessing me and giving me guidance at every turn.  None of us are insignificant in His eyes.  Parents out there, think about the way you feel about your children.  Don't you want them to have every chance at happiness?  Wouldn't you give them mercy and understanding when they've struggled or made mistakes?  Don't you want them to come to you with questions or heartaches so that you might fill them up and comfort them?  So it is with our Father in Heaven, and it is up to each of us to let Him into our lives so that He can be the parent we need.

The power of prayer is not to be underestimated.  When you are praying you are speaking directly to a nurturing, powerful confidant who is ready and waiting to bless us.  When I have had questions, some of the answers have come so easily, so quickly that it makes me laugh out of joy at how plainly the Lord has come to me.  Other questions do not have such easy answers, but I have faith that when I'm ready He'll give those answers to me.

For a long time I tried to find happiness in the world.  But I have learned recently that true happiness cannot come from the world.  Peace cannot come from the world.  True joy and peace comes only from building a relationship of trust and love with our Heavenly Father.  If you have been struggling to find peace, I'm begging you to find a quiet place, right now.  Even if it is in your bathroom with the door locked and fan on for white noise.  Find a quiet place right now, get down on your knees, and pray to your Father in Heaven.  He knows who you are, He knows what you're struggling with.  He alone knows what is truly in your heart and in your head and He will give you the answers you need in the way that you need them. 

Do not waste another moment floundering among the things of this world because you will not find your peace there.  All you have to do is to watch the evening news to know that this is true.  Go find your quiet place and open your heart to the Heavens and they will rain down the peace and joy you have been looking for.  Life will not be easy and it will never be perfect.  There will be money problems, sicknesses, wars, and heartaches.  But you can find your peace even among these, I promise.  The circumstances of my life are no different today than they were over a month ago, but I have this amazing sense of peace and purpose like never before, and I found it only through prayer.

A little bit of sunshine...

It's summer and with that comes swimming, barbeques, trips to the zoo, playing until it's dark out, all the things that we dream about during those long winter months (at least here in Rochester, NY).  What do all these activities have in common?  They are outside!  And usually in good weather, with sunshine and birds and fresh air!  Studies have shown for years that 15 minutes of sunshine a day is all you really need to increase levels of Vitamin D in your body.  But for all of us who suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) it also means an increase in Serotonin, the body's feel-good chemical.  Studies have proven at daily exposure to sunshine will help fight depression.  Here's one!

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20021205/unraveling-suns-role-in-depression

I once asked an elderly woman I worked with what her secret was to her youthful appearance.  Obviously she had good genes, which don't hurt.  But she was healthy and happy and just radiant from the inside out.  Her 2 tips for me were 1) Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize; and 2) Get outside everyday.  

So, here's my little thought for today brought on by a relaxed, happy feeling after visiting the pool with my kids:  GET OUTSIDE!  I know it's hot... it's summer!  Sweat washes off, wet clothes can be changed.  I'm not even telling you to go exercise, just go sit outside for 15 minutes, soak up some rays, and then go back to your air-conditioning.

Happy Sunny Tuesday, everyone!

4th Whole 30: Day 6

Another busy day at work had me scarfing down my food in a less than elegant fashion.  But at least I got it in my gob! 

Simple To-Go Breakfast:
Hard Boiled egg whites
Celery with almond butter

Pack-n-Go Lunch:
Salad-in-a-Jar
Grapes

Quick Dinner:
Homemade Mini-Meatloaves
Salad with mixed veggies

I'm feeling pretty good today.  I remember from my first round of Whole 30 that I hit, at some point, a time where it would roll around to 8pm and I would struggle to keep my eyes open.  After a few days of that, though, waking up in the mornings became much much easier!  Last night I had my first night of slip-into-a-coma dozing-off on the couch.  It wasn't much easier to get out of bed this morning, though.  But I think after a couple more days of that my sleep schedule should be right on track where it should be: tired at night, awake in the morning.  Man, I love Whole 30!

I'm still having moments of weakness with cravings, though.  Today wasn't as bad as yesterday.  But boy oh boy, do I want to big Diet Coke on ice!  I've drank 64 ounces of water today so I know it's not because I'm thirsty.  I just like it!  Hopefully another week and that stuff should start dying down.

I remember from the last rounds when the night-time sleepiness began to kick in, so did the crazy, vivid food dreams.  I remember one imparticular where I felt horribly outraged with myself for eating an entire tray of brownies and feeling like "Oh man, now I have to start this whole thing over again!"  So, more to come on that probably...

Anyway, feeling good today.  Working for a bit tomorrow morning and then I get to enjoy the beautiful day with my kiddos.  Happy Thursday everyone!  Come one, Friday!

4th Whole 30: Day 5

I almost did something bad today...

Erm.. I mean, I almost ate something bad today.  It's hot outside, guys!  And I've been so good over the last 4 days.  And today was a very stressful day at work!  And my head hurts and I'm in need of comfort.  And so went on the excuses my brain was desperately trying to make for me to stop and get a milkshake on my way home tonight.

But I didn't!  Oh man, I wanted to.  But I didn't.  A part of me was sad about that.  A major part of me REALLY wanted that milkshake!  Then when I came home I checked out Facebook and a friend posted a quote that realigned my will-power.

"If you will use discipline today even if it is uncomfortable, you will experience value in the future. If you do not, you will experience regret." - Rohn

Yes!  If I would have stopped and gotten that cold, delicious, mouthwatering milkshake I would have hated myself before I was even done with it!  The momentary joy is nothing compared to the regret I'd feel for eating it.  Or the feeling I would get from knowing I was able to discipline myself enough not to!  

 It's summer, guys.  Let's enjoy the fruits and veggies of the season, grill some healthy meats, and stay active!