How Far Ahead Can you See?

Day 21 of 100 Days of Encouragement

 Hello everyone. I’m sure that you have noticed that I have been away for a while. I realize that I made a commitment to post daily, but I took a little holiday away from everything. Well, I am having to work at keeping the original weight loss from coming back on and started taking the right steps. I think I hit a burn out from all that I have been doing, but I have to say that I am happy to be back. I said that I will not give up. Maybe take a break or fall back a little, but NEVER GIVE UP. I know that there isn’t anything that I won’t be able to overcome as long as I keep believing that and working at it. The day will come.

 What pushes us to unconscious eating and/or overeating?  Stress!!  We are all waiting for a time when there isn’t any stress. Well, guess what? That only happens when you are dead, so start practicing conscious eating. That’s what I’ve been working at for some years, and I have at least gotten to this point where I am starting to chip away at the weight.  Fear ignites worry and stress, and much of the time it is because we can’t see far enough into the future to feel safe.

 It is like the analogy of travelling at night from one location to another. You start out knowing that it may be a 3 hour drive and you get into your vehicle and drive from point A until you arrive at Point B. If it is night time and we can only see 160 – 300 feet, depending whether they are on high or low beam. What is really important to note is that when you travel the 300 feet that you can see with your headlights, another 300 hundred feet of light becomes available again and again until you get to your destination.

 What we know is that whatever we need for the moment we have or can access. When we are ready and need something more, that next step will be there for us. It’s about when you are ready. I know that I need to keep going forward with life and I will get there. It doesn’t mean that there won’t be obstacles and challenges. It just means that when you believe and keep going forward in faith, it will be there.

 So… let’s keep on keeping on and we will get there.

There’s No Excuse

Day 12 of 100 Days of Encouragement

 I’ve noticed that I have allowed myself to have many excuses for falling off my eating plans. It seems that the unconscious just finds ways to get that food. Well, today I said, “there are no more excuses.”

 Each time I felt that tug to reach for food, I told myself, “no more excuses. I will take responsibility for my life and make choices that will ultimately make me happier.”  When issues and uncertainty surface, I have learned to turn to thanking God for taking care of everything in the past, present and future. I only need to focus on what is in front of me and around me, and take care of that.

 Today I stayed on track for the first time in a long time, and still put in a full day. When I was tired, I eventually found a little time to rest.

 So… there are no more excuses team. We can and will get victory and reach our goals. Let’s keep on keeping on, because we will get there together.

Inspiration

Did Thomas Edison Give Up?

Thomas Edison

Day 11 of 100 Days of Encouragement

Edison

“If we did all the things we are capable of doing we would truly astound ourselves.” Not my words, but those of inventor Thomas Edison, 1847-1931 who gave us the light bulb.

Edison was not one to give up on something he knew he could succeed at if he just kept working at it.  He made over 10,00 attempts to achieve success in his endeavour.  After struggling to develop a viable electric light-bulb for months and months, Thomas Edison was interviewed by a young reporter who boldly asked Mr. Edison if he felt like a failure and if he thought he should just give up by now. Perplexed, Edison replied, “Young man, why would I feel like a failure? And why would I ever give up? I now know definitively over 9,000 ways that an electric light bulb will not work. Success is almost in my grasp.” And shortly after that, and over 10,000 attempts, Edison invented the light bulb.”

After successfully completing the first 100 Days of Encouragement, I slipped through the cracks and started falling back into old habits, although I made a point of writing down most of what I eat. Yesterday and today I got back into routine or writing down everything I eat. I can come up with a lot of excuses for falling away from portion control and proper eating habits, but realistically, it comes down to my making a decision and staying with it, regardless of how tough it gets.

Today I allowed myself to get a little bit of rest and enjoy the day. I even took my little dog Mercedes for two walks. I have to make this commitment to myself and to my team that I will take responsibility for my eating, exercise, and balanced approach to life. After all, this is about changing my thinking and habits for the rest of my life. Lifestyle changes certainly are challenging, but never-the-less, I will get there. Can you imagine how different our history and lives would be if Edison had given up after his 9,999^th try at inventing the light bulb?

We are a team, and will keep working at it until we get there. If Edison didn’t give up, neither will we.  So… let’s keep on keeping on.

Getting Back Up

Day 7 of 100 Days of Encouragement

I want to apologize for being away from the blog for almost a week. As all of you have read, I have been overwhelmed with all of the new challenges of building a new business. During this time I let go of keeping good records of what I eat, have been eating a lot of  fast food, and have not had the energy to exercise. This has resulted in my gaining a few pounds back.

Today I decided that I have to get back on track. Even though it has been raining for a few days, I finally took my little dog out for a walk, in the rain. As the picture explains, I need to get back at it until I am successful at my quest. My goal is to change my habits and lifestyles for the rest of my life. For those of you that have been faithfully staying on track, I commend you.

Although this challenge has not been easy, I will not give up, as I know that many of you will not give up either. So… let’s keep on keeping on, because we can and will experience victory.

Treadmill Time

Day 9 of the 9^th segment of 10 days. Day 89 of 100 Days of Encouragement

Last night I started writing this post and was falling asleep at my computer, so I listened to my body and went to bed. So here is what I wrote last night.

 I think this lady found the answer to the scale not being cooperative. It is supposed to lie to her and show different numbers, so she can feel better about herself. 

 If life were only that easy….

 Well, it hasn’t been that easy. I have struggled for a few weeks now, and even though I do well at getting back on track, I run into days where I don’t have the extra time or energy to exercise. Thank goodness for my little dog Mercedes.  She gets me outside and walking, whether I want to or not. Today (Friday) I took  her for 2 walks and actually made time to jump on the treadmill for an hour. Well, it is really a battle, and it is a good thing that I am determined to win, otherwise I would give up. But I will not give up and will keep at it.  Don’t anybody get to the point where you admit defeat. No matter the struggle or how long it takes to succeed, we will get there.

Wow! It is hard to believe that 90 days have gone by. There is only one segment of 10 days left to go, so we can all push a little harder this time. I have become stuck at this point and will have to get some self discipline going for the next 10 days.

 When we reach day 100, I will start another 100 days and then another 100 days. Whatever it takes, we will get this ship turned around and reach those goals. The picture expresses what my week has been like.  It seems like I put in such long hours and run out of energy to take care of myself. Well, the good news is that this too will pass and things will settle down a little more.  At least I took my little dog Mercedes out for a long walk today. I came in and looked thorough my emails.

 It is always so good to hear from you. Be sure to write to me anytime. I always look forward to an email from you. I apologize to those that haven’t heard from me in a while. Please be sure that I will get my energy back and for sure will write to you. So keep on keeping on. We will get there no matter how long it takes.

Sometimes You Just Need a Good Laugh

No, I Haven’t Seen Your Lipstick – Why Would You Even Ask Me That? 

Day 8 of the 9^th segment of 10 days. Day 88 of 100 Days of Encouragement

I’ve been putting in long hours again, and I am glad to be able to slow things down a little for a few days. I appreciate the rest. I haven’t been brave enough to step on the scale, but I think I will get on the treadmill tonight.

 A friend emailed me with this picture today, and I couldn’t help but laugh. It really made my day, so I wanted to pass it on to you.

 Hope the picture gives you a good laugh and you pass it on.

Keep Going, Things Will Come Together

Day 5 of the 9^th segment of 10 days. Day 85 of 100 Days of Encouragements

Hello everyone. Hope you are all doing well. Today I started a program to help me build my new business. After a time of uncertainty, I feel like I am starting to get back on track. When you make decisions to change your life, wow, life really can change.

 When we face certain challenges and deal with issues as they surface, our lives can evolve and take various paths that lead to a whole new way of being. One of the new commitments I have made is to write down what I eat, no matter how much or what I eat. This shows me on paper where I am falling down and where I am doing well.

 The last few weeks have been loaded with struggles, but things are starting to come together. What a roller coaster ride it’s been! Regardless of how difficult the challenges are, I am determined and know that I will persevere until I reach my goals. We are close to the end of the first 100 days, and I’m getting ready to commit to another 100 or 200 days. Eventually I will get the new eating habits and thought patterns solid. That means that my behavioural reactions will also change. I monitor the thoughts and feelings that motivate and trigger my eating patterns, and I learning how to deal with them. This is the real challenge and this is where the victory happens. There is no turning back, which means keep going forward.

 So… keep on keeping on, because we can and will get there.

The Road To The Goal

Days 3 and 4 of the 9^th segment of 10 days 

Days 83 and 84 of 100 Days of Encouragement

It has been a beautiful sunny and warm weekend, as well as very busy. Although it has been a good weekend, I have to tell you that it has been quite a challenge trying to get back on track, with all of the changes and transitions that are happening.

 Transitions have a way of adding excitement as well as stress and uncertainty. It is during times of uncertainty that you have to walk by faith and not by sight. Well, it sounds easy enough to say, but walking the walk is much different than talking the talk. This is where the rubber meets the road, and I have to live in reality. Despite the trials and struggles, I have to say that I am thankful for all of the support I have, for all of the opportunities, and for an abundance of blessings. I am also very thankful for this great team. It is a pleasure to hear from you and I feel blessed to be sharing this journey with you in this life changing experience.

 One thing for sure is that when you decide to deal with something like changing eating habit and thinking patterns, you are going to run up against some emotional and psychological challenges. These may even play out in your day-to-day life, which is usually the case. It can seem like you’re going through hell.

 Today I heard someone repeat a famous quote made by Winston Churchill, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”  The only way out is to keep going. It seems like the challenges pile on top of each other and keep growing, but I will keep on keeping on, because I know that no matter how many times I fall down, I will get back up and get there. I know that if I can make it, anyone can.

Making a Difference

Day 2 of the 9th segment of 10 days. Day 82 of 100 Days of Encouragement

I tried to put this post up last night, but the server was down, so this morning I am happy that everything is up and running, even me. I took my little dog Mercedes for a nice long walk in the beautiful sunshine.

Do you ever feel like you aren’t making a difference? I want each and everyone of you to know that every effort you make in this life makes a difference. Have you said a kind word or done something special for someone, or maybe sent up a prayer because you know that person needs it?

 You need to know that there is always an angel watching over you, and every time you reach out to make a difference in a way, that you are also doing something special for yourself. Sometimes I hear people get exhausted from helping others and feel like they don’t get any help. Well, I know from past experience that the help is just around the corner. It will come back to you many times over. Just when you least expect something, the help will be there.

 So let us all take a little time to find a way to do or say something special to someone today. Let them know that an angel is watching over them, and that life is worth living.

Day by day, I have come to realize that there is always an angel watching over you. This morning I was busy and feeling a little stressed about my new business adventure. I took a minute to check my emails, and I had received some very special messages from wonderful people. Thank you for the uplifting words. You need to know that your efforts and genuine hearts are so appreciated. I will keep working away at the challenge, and hope that I have been able to reach out and help or inspire, even a little. We are a team, and we will get there together. So I am sending up a special prayer for each and every one of you. Let us keep on keeping on and making a difference.

The Power of Dreams and Believing

Day of the 8^th segment of 10 days. Day 81 of 100 Days of Encouragement.

I can hardly believe that 80 days have come and gone so fast. These last 10 days have gone by like a blur, and  it was a pretty tough 10 days. Part way through the 10 days I told you that I had gained a few pounds from all of the stress and fatigue, but I have since lost that weight gain. So that is the good news. The frustrating news for me is that I am at the same weight as I was at the last 10 day segment.

 BUT, I know that I am such a determined person that I will not give up until I get to the goal. It is quite the journey, loaded with challenges, yet, those challenges are actually opportunities to overcome obstacles and make amazing memories.

 I know about the power of dreams and believing, as I have many, many experiences with perseverance and dreams come true. In fact, I will have to write a book about them, as there are so many. It is from all of the collective experiences that I know that I will get to this goal and many others.

 I have to share some current experiences, because months ago, when I finally made the commitment to change my lifestyle and life habits, I could never have guessed that my life would change so much, so fast, in 80 days. This includes the joy of dropping 11 pounds, (and working on another 30 to 35 lbs), meeting new people, issues being dealt with, and ….

 Here is the big one; a change in career. For many, many years I have dreamed of starting my own business, and it seems that all of the stars have aligned and things are coming together. A number of years ago I created and copyrighted some very special dolls with incredible concepts built in. I held onto the dream and believed that one day this would happen. In April I met some people at a business mixer and was blessed with a complimentary pass to the Alberta Women Entreprenuers (AWE) convention, which is worth $600. The convention was amazing, as well as the business contacts that I made, knowledge and information that I gathered, and inspiration that moved me up to the next level. Everything that I needed so far has come together, and…  by the grace and mercy of God… I feel like I am “Living The Dream”.

 I am still putting some of the pieces of the new and exciting business together, and will fill you in on the details as they happen. As is the case with many things, there are risks involved, but my faith tells me that each day will bring exactly what I need to keep going forward. One day at a time I will meet my challenges and do my best. Without a doubt, I know that we will all “Live The Dream” of overcoming the obstacles that challenge us to build the character strength we need to live the most fulfilled lives we could ever dream of and hope for.

 So keep on keeping on, because we are going to celebrate victory. We will never surrender. We know that we can and will experience the exhilaration of “Triumph of the Human Spirit”.