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.

Lifting Yourself and Others

Day 10 of the 7^th segment of 10 days. Day 70 of 100 Days of Encouragement

It is hard to believe that it has already been 70 days since launching this challenge and the results are amazing for me and for others. I will be able to give you a better number on the next post. One thing I know is that, “Slow but steady wins the race.”  It was not meant to be a cakewalk, (no pun intended), as we must learn never to go back to the way things were. It is like the old saying, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.” 

 You need to ask yourself what self-defeating thoughts and habits you have, and find a way to get past them. That is where the real change will happen. When you deal with an unhealthy habit, the issue(s) that the habit was protecting will typically surface. The journey can be filled with tests and struggles, but the victories are so sweet that even chocolate or honey isn’t as sweet.

 I am telling myself to taste the victory instead of overeating or overindulging. At least I will start that tomorrow, as this weekend has a bit too much celebrating in it already. The good news is that I am determined and will still be able to post a weight loss in this segment. I know enough to pick myself up if I struggle with portion control or staying on track for a few days. I want to encourage all of you to stay with the challenge. If you know of someone that is struggling, (even if you are struggling) reach out and offer them some encouragement. You will be amazed at how it will come back to you 10 fold.

 Onwards and forwards we go, ever pressing toward the goal. We will never surrender!!!  Victory is calling you and happiness is in the process as well as the victory. Keep smiling, because you are going to get there!!!! 

 We Can and Will do this!!!!

Two Steps Forward and One Step Back

Day 5 of the 7^th segment of 10 days. Day 65 of 100 Days of Encouragement

Well I’ve been quite a machine lately, walking on the treadmill, walking the dog, keeping to the right portions, and putting in some long hours. I’ve been sharing that we are busy putting the “One Voice Concert” (sponsorship and fund raiser for Compassion Canada). More sponsors stepped up to the plate, and others increased their sponsorship.

 Even though a lot of good things came together today, I was very tired. The busy schedule and long hours caught up with me. And, I really slipped up on the portion control and found myself eating a lot of snacks.  It really reminded me that I had to take some time this evening to get some rest. After taking Mercedes for an extra long walk I was ready to dish into more snacking, but decided that I had better listen to my body and get some rest.

 What I do know is that tomorrow is another day, and I can just pick myself up and get back on track. Two steps forward and one step back, but I will still get there. I am determined to work at this until I reach the goal; well actually, the goal is to change my eating habits for the rest of my life, so, I guess I will take like one day at a time. But still very determined to persevere, endure, and get past the obstacles of my own thought patterns, beliefs, and self-imposed limitation.

 I know that all of you can do this also, so stay with it. You can and will win the race and celebrate victory.

Dashboard Analysis

Day 8 of the 6^th segment of 10 days. Day 58 of 100 Days of Encouragement

A number of years ago a psychologist, John Bradshaw, wrote a book called “The Family.” In his book he uses a metaphor of “lights on the dashboard” in comparison to our emotions and thoughts.   He says that ignoring emotions is like not paying attention to the oil light on the dashboard. It lights up and is sending a message to the driver. Eventually the driver gets tired of the light flashing and takes a hammer and smashes the light on the dashboard. Well, the light no longer flashes; but, does that make the problem go away?

 So too emotions and thoughts surface to tell us something and eventually we suppress them with unhealthy food or too much food, or any other form of unhealthy habits. Mostly, what we need to do is get quiet and figure out what the message is and pray for guidance on making decisions that handle the issue the correct way. Of course, we eventually have to make a decision and go forward. We live and learn. The key here is to figure out what issue is being triggered and what decisions to make on handling the situation. It is a lifelong growing process.

 Let us go forward and face each struggle as best we can. At this point, we are on day 58 and there is no giving up or turning back. Many of us are in this for the long haul, and we know that, no matter what, we will get to the goal.

Striving For The Goal

Day 5 of the 6^th segment of 10 days. Day 56 of 100 Days of Encouragement

This is the Victoria Day long weekend, and typically garden season or camping. The weather is usually pretty nice, but this year it’s been raining, with a little snow. I did purchase the flowers and plants for my yard, but they are now sitting in the garage until Monday when it warms up.

 That turned out to be a good thing. With all of the treadmill and walking, staying on track with my eating plan, and being busy long hours, it was a day or rest; a much needed rest. Although I did splurge a little with my eating, I wrote everything down, and realized that I mostly stayed on track. I am in this for the long haul, with my eating plan and lifestyle change that is for the rest of my life. Most often, my goal is to lose weight for a special event or travel experience, and then after the goal is reached, I gain it right back. Having a goal that will last for the rest of my life is one way to ensure that the weight loss and healthier lifestyle is permanent.

 Good health is the foundation of happiness, which magnifies itself in many ways. Let us strive for the goal, and live our dreams. We all can, so stay with the plan, because you can do this.

Renewed Inspiration

Day 3 or the 6^th segment of 100 days. Day 53 of 100 Days of Encouragement

Getting a new burst of inspiration is what everyone needs. If you just cannot find it within yourself (even though it is there), then look for positive sources of inspiration to re-energize your spirit.

 What most people don’t realize is that we all have the spirit of inspiration, encouragement, and forward moving energy within us. It seems for many of us, (that includes me) we struggle to believe that we have it there within us, so we look to others for extra strength.  Of course this is also important, as we connect with others and share the strength and energy to make the world go around. Sharing and helping each other creates the environment we need to overcome obstacles within us.

 Triumph of the human spirit is developing the spiritual muscle to overcome adversity and build the confidence in truly believing that we are stable and secure in each moment. With a renewed spirit of believing, we can and will overcome the obstacles that are within us first, and then the obstacles in our external world will also turn into positives.

 The more I allow myself to dig deep down and follow that leading from within, the stronger I feel and the more I can accomplish in a day. I have learned to ask myself why I want to jump up and eat something when I am not physically hungry. If I monitor my thoughts and feelings, I typically will see that I believe that someone else has power over my ability to feel happy and free. Forgiveness or letting go of the struggle will free us and help us to be energized to go forward.

 These are the real obstacles that get in the way of feeling completely in control of our own world. I have also learned that I need to focus on what I can do each day and set aside the worries of tomorrow that I cannot change today; however, the choices I make today can set the wheels in motion of renewed life for tomorrow, next week and even into the years to come.

 What is on our hearts today? What can we do today to take care of what is in front of us? Sometimes we have to stop thinking, rethinking, and rethinking, and just do it, as long as it is something that will better our own souls and those around us.  I know that we are all moving forward together and will win the battle. Keep your chin up and smile, because God is smiling with you today. Now, what needs to be done today? Go do it!

Garden Season

Day 9 of the 5^th segment of 10 days. Day 49 of 100 Days of Encouragement

Today was another busy day, but finally got around to picking up over 20 beautiful geranium plants with my Mother’s Day gift certificate.  I enjoy gardening and usually plant a good selection of flowers in pots and flowerbeds each year. The greenhouse always smells so fresh and filled with new life. 

 As I stay on track with my eating plan I realize that I am starting to experience new life and new beginnings. This is the first time that I have set a weight loss goal as a change of lifestyle. It certainly has been a challenge, and the longer I stay with the plan, the more my life changes. My thoughts have begun to adapt at accepting the menu options that I can have, although I really had to struggle to not grab at a chocolate bar this afternoon.

 Tomorrow is the half way mark of the 100 Days of Encouragement, and I realize that I will have to stay with this plan for at least another 200 days to reach my goal. With a duration of that length, my eating habits should almost be set in stone.  For all of you that are following along, be strong, never give up even if you fall, and keep on keeping on. This journey is about triumph of the human spirit. Let’s keep each other encouraged and going forward because we all can overcome the struggles and develop the discipline. I can and you can, so let us all celebrate the victories.

Happy Mother’s Day

Day 2 of the 5^th segment of 10 days. Day 42 of 100 Days of Encouragement

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers out there. Today was a nice mother’s as I spent time with family. My eating discipline went a little over today, but I still worked at keeping the damage to a minimum. Tomorrow is another day, and I am getting back on track.

 All too often I see a magazine on the store shelves that headline the front page with “Lose 7 pounds in 7 days”  or  “lose 20 pounds by summer”.  Speed diets typically end up in the weight coming back on and possibly even more than when you started.

 This 100 Days of Encouragement is to inspire myself and others to make lifestyle changes that become permanent. The long road to reaching a healthy weight is definitely the road less travelled, especially in this era of microwave and instant everything, but it is the road to success. So …  let’s keep on keeping on, as there’s not turning back at this point.

 We can celebrate the victories every 10 days, regardless of the weight loss being 1 pound or 4 pounds. We will never surrender, and triumph is at hand. Stay with it, because you are strong and absolutely can make it.

Day 11 – Crossing The Bridge

Well, today is Day 1 one the next 10 day segment of the journey and we have crossed the first bridge. This is also Day 11 of the 100 Days of Encouragement. I have managed to get through the day and stay on track. What is most helpful for me is the decision I made to write down all of the foods that I eat. It really shows me an accurate picture of my food intake, and is starting to develop roots or a new habit that is helpful to keep me on track, or at the least, show me how far off course I may have strayed in a day.

I am so proud of all of you that have kept in contact with me and with others on the blog. I know that you all did great, and no matter what you think, you should be patting yourself on the back for the hard work you did. It is not going to be a “cake walk” (pun intended) by any means, but what I have seen is that all of you have the determination to succeed at this. Life happens “one day at a time”.

The first 10 days had it’s challenges such as Easter meals and treats and getting out of our comforts zone, which triggers the need for comfort food. Through it all, I was able to lose 2 lbs in the first 10 days, not counting the 2 lbs I lost in the week prior to the start line. I consider this to be a major victory, and have started the next leg of the race.

You all have shared some of your uniqueness with the team, and with me, and I know that all of you are leaders. I ran across this quote:

“Don’t stand in someone else’s shadow when it’s your sunlight that should lead the way.”

Keep the faith and keep going forward, onward and upward. This journey is about the triumph of the human spirit. Regardless of how difficult this path may seem, God has provided a way for each one of us. Victory is shining it’s light for us each and every day. Keep your eyes on the goal and never give up.

If Peng Shuilin can overcome all of the odds that were against him, we can too (see Day 10 post).

Keep up the good work. No matter how long it takes, we are on our way to Victory!!!