Tag Archives: faith

Reaching Goals

Stop Fighting Yourself!

Honeychild, your arms really are too short to box with God. But guess what?  They’ll too long to box with yourself.  You’ll just in your own way. So, stop fighting yourself.  Let me explain. I’ve been on a journey to get fit for some time now.  Over time, I managed to lose over forty pounds, build strength and do tasks that had been physically impossible for me for a long time. Then I hit a plateau. I followed all the advice on breaking the plateau.  I increased my activity, decreased my caloric intake, and upped my water intake.  I juggled with different strategies including fitness trackers, organized programs, personal training and nutrition coaching. Still, with the exception of constant sore muscles, I am the same.  I’m still weighing in within the same seven-pound weight range as a year ago, 2o pounds from my goal weight. How could it be? I even had blood work done to determine whether there is a medical condition that is in the way.  SO here I am. I weighed in today and I gained 2 pounds.  Frustrated, I ate chocolate covered Oreos for breakfast and chips and Reese’s for lunch.  Then It hit me… I was eating things because I was mad at not losing the weight even though I was working so hard but honestly, these are some of the same things that I was eating to prevent me losing weight, otherwise they would not have been in my house.  That may seem obvious but it wasn’t.  I only ate these things on occasion. I didn’t keep them in my house on a regular basis, just leftovers from social events and sometimes bringing home bake sale items to put in the freezer.  Well the fact is that chocolate covered Oreos, Reese’s and chips were at hand when I got frustrated and decided to have an emotional binge, yes call it what it is.  I didn’t eat it all at one time but it was a binge nonetheless. You can call it breakfast, lunch and dinner but eating candy, cookies and chips as your only nutrition is still a binge. It was all in my house so this was obviously not the first time I did it.  Not logging also doesn’t negate the fact it was a binge. Dancing around and doing some weightlifting doesn’t necessarily negate the binge. The body is objective- calories in, calories out is what it knows. SO what I am saying?

We sometimes live in a denial that our best is really not our best. We delude ourselves into believing that we’re doing all the right things and then get mad when the result is not as desired, when in reality, we are not living up to the full potential of a goal.  It happens to most of us.  The difference between those that succeed and those that give in is recognizing the icebergs instead of looking past them.  It is not over the horizon. It’s in your face, if you’re paying attention. You can only pay true attention when you’re connected to both your goal and the One who promises to keep you and bless you beyond measure- God!

This is not just about losing weight. It’s about reaching goals, ANY goal. Its’ about changing the plan, not the goal. It’s about not giving in but giving up to God. If your goal is Godly, it’s also connected to God’s promises and you will know this.  It really is that simple and that serious.  You can nothing without God and all things with God but you must pay attention to everything. Actions big and small, all make a difference.

Scripture reference:

Proverbs 16:3 ESV Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established

Psalm 32:8 ESVI will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you

Empowerment link:

DO YOU SABOTAGE YOUR OWN SUCCESS? HERE’S HOW TO STOP SELF-SABOTAGE by Adam Sicinski   http://blog.iqmatrix.com/overcome-self-sabotage

Continue reading Stop Fighting Yourself! →

Compassion, Reaching Goals, Role Model

Soothe Me, Move Me, Lift Me Up!

Hey Honeychild! Do you remember the last time you heard a song that lifted you out of your fog. You know: that dance tune that brings back fond memories of way back, the slow ballad that reminds you of your sexy self, the old time gospel that growls God is on your side, the contemporary inspirational that confirms the best is yet to come, the jazz number that soothes your soul. You know which one I’m talking about. It lifts you up, it makes you smile, it gets you moving…
Well, whatever your pleasure, whatever your song, remember this- these songs are a gift. They are a light to your pathway to let you know that your story is not over. Music is one of the ways that life gives life. Am I going over the top here? NO. I’m more than a cheerleader for rhythm and rhyme. Music is known for its healing properties. Sometimes, when we are losing focus and we’re headed to the pity party, all we really need is its quick pick me up. Music is brain changing as it releases the chemical dopamine- the same pleasure-related response that you get from drugs, sex and foods like chocolate; all of which can get you in trouble if used to self- medicate. Heck, those may be related to some of the reasons you were in that funk anyway. But Ahhh, the right music will get you to think outside of yourself, remember your possibilities and spark new thoughts.

Well. I got you covered Honeychild. “Today’s a new day.” “A-B-C…easy as 1-2-3.” “It’s a wonderful world.” “Happy.” “Walking on Sunshine” “The Greatest love of all.” “If what I am is what’s in me…” “Somewhere over the rainbow.” …So perhaps not the hippest playlist but you get my point.

Put on that vinyl, CD, iPod, whatever thingies turn you on and get it going.

Scripture Reference: Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Empowerment Link: Some songs to get you started-
www.thehealthy.com/the-20-most-inspirational-songs-of-all-time

Compassion, Role Model

Be Concerned But Not Consumed

Honeychild,

Do you remember your mama or nana or pastor telling you to pray or worry but not both. I do. My mom used to say “ Well, I prayed so I won’t worry.” My pastor said that if you worry you are taking God’s ability to work on your behalf. It’s true you know.

There are many instances in my life to prove it but let me tell you about this time it really compelled me to take heed. I was stressing out about my job because of the many changes that were happening in our district. I had no idea whether I would even have a job by the end of the year and many of my colleagues were experiencing the same stressors. People were job hunting and backstabbing and creating all kinds of chaos in the name of setting up for the possible loss of position. I began wondering if I was being naive in not participating in the madness. Second guessing what I should do became another stress factor in my life. I listened to some of the grapevine gossip, making me a participant of it. I applied for positions that I didn’t want. I thought about what might happen when I should have been sleeping. I showed indifference to my performance. I prayed about I don’t even know what. I felt the stress of uncertainty daily. The list goes on. Maybe you’ve been there. Consumed and ineffectual. It was not a good look on me.

Then one day, in my meditation, it came to me to think about what I’d done in the past when confronted with the same situation. It was then that I realized I’d never had an insurmountable situation on my job. I had lost a couple of jobs in my life but never suffered beyond repair. I’d been uncomfortable on a couple of jobs, again, nothing beyond repair. The Holy Spirit was speaking to me… I will take care of you. I will not give you more than you can bear. Ahaa! I understood!

My life is God protected. There are situations that I will go through, but only to teach and grow me. There are some things that I’m just not cut out to handle and God knows it because he knitted in my mother’s womb.

There are different protected areas in each of our lives and there is nothing put on your shoulders that you can’t handle. This does not mean that you shouldn’t be concerned about the events of life. You should. Your life is your personal responsibility. However, do not be consumed by these affairs. Pray for guidance, strength, wisdom and grace. Your confidence in God’s care will be rewarded.

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 10:35-36 Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Empowerment Link: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/why-we-worry/201206/10-tips-manage-your-worrying ( slightly different perspective but some helpful tips)