Laps for laps

As I was preparing for a trip, I tried on my newest pair of jeans - which I had bought 3 weeks earlier and behold, they were tight on my thighs. Hmm? Where was I when that happened?

 

It then hit me that the fact that you're not actively doing anything to add weight doesn't mean that nothing is happening. So I started thinking that maybe I need to start doing laps (i.e. running) for my laps. The very first "proposal" in my thoughts was that I need to get a buddy who'd encourage & keep me accountable. I quickly discounted it because I need to decide and do - and the buddy may become a bother. The way I see it, fitting into my new pair of jeans comfortably is enough motivation. 

 

Talk about taking responsibility. I really like this cartoon - it's not completely true for me at least not now and hopefully never - if I take active action now. So I started doing some research and found out that brisk walking, running, cycling, swimming can be done in laps and fat is burned. But doing this once a month or just over the summer is not sufficient. The bottom line is that I (we, in case you're in the same boat as I am) need to move from knowing what to do to doing it and being committed & consistent. Doing this for 45-60 minutes, at least 3 times a week will produce a lifestyle.

I've decided to give myself a birthday gift that I want. No, not new outfits, but a better "fit-in" - so help me God.

Please encourage anyone around you who has set a self-improvement target. You & I can do it...

To thrive...

...trust and obey.

Jer 17: 7-8 - [Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit.*

 

Psalm1: 1-3 Happy [Blessed]are those who don’t listen to [walk in the counsel of] the wicked, who don’t go where sinners go[stand in the way of sinners], who don’t do what evil people do[sit in the seat of mockers]. They love [delight in] the Lord’s teachings [laws; instructions], and they think about [meditate on] those teachings [laws; instructions] day and night. They are like a tree planted by a river[streams of water; full of life, strong, vibrant]. The tree produces fruit in season, and its leaves don’t die [wither]. Everything they do will succeed.*

Job 36: 11 - “If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant. (NLT)

Reference:
* Amplified

Take it easy, woman

It's interesting and enlightening to watch people and of course learn from them.

A few weeks ago, I saw a lady travelling with her husband and their 2 sons. It was very obvious that she was "in-charge." She was even in control (more like custody) of the boys' travel pillows.

When their luggage arrived on the carousel, she looked at her husband and said: "The 2nd, 3rd & 4th are ours." (I was lip-reading) BTW, her husband had gotten 2 luggage carts and each son had one. The next thing that happened - without warning - she started lifting their large suitcases off the carousel herself.

Amazed, I looked at her husband who looked equally amazed. As I walked away, I felt like going to her to say: "Take it easy woman."
All that was going through my mind was that there's no way I'd do that with my husband and sons right there beside me. Did I mention that their youngest son looked about 10 years old?

You know, I believe that sometimes women overdo things. You may be able to do everything but you really don't have to do everything. Some of us spend more time complaining that no one helps us whereas we don't give others space or time to help us - like the lady I mentioned.

To really enjoy our family - and family time, engage them in various activities...live a more balanced life. One with more rest and less stress... Join me as we say this to ourselves: "Take it easy, woman." Yes, it's okay to...

P.S. This experience makes me even more grateful for the men in my life. My husband and sons wouldn't even have let me carry the 1st suitcase. They would have repositioned themselves and taken charge there.  God uses them to help me take it easy from time to time. Love you all...lots.

 

Start small...

...with little things you can make a big difference.

Uncle?

I wrote about this* over 3 years ago and I was reminded about it again last Christmas... while watching Mammoth Christmas. 

I smiled when Manny's daughter, Peaches refer to Sid - her parents' friend - as "Uncle Sid." These days that more and more people call people older than them by their first name it can be an uphill task to help children refer to their elders respectfully. There are many ways to teach a child how to do that. One way I've found to be effective is when they are still imitating and repeating everything - or almost everything you say, I refer to other adults as "Uncle" or "Auntie" so and so.

 

It has worked rather well with my children such that the only name they know for that person is "Uncle this" or "Auntie that." It's almost funny - but great - to hear them correct themselves when they unthinkingly refer to the person as "Brother" or "Sister" as I would. 

 

When the school year started, it was nice almost startling to see the switch when one of my children's teacher was introducing himself to his students. He was clear on what they should call him - "Mr. so and so." Without missing a heartbeat when he turned to introduce himself to me, he said my name is "So and so" - yes his first name. So the distinction was clear and reinforced my resolve to help children in my sphere of influence understand that.

I know it's not easy for some children to understand why they should call someone that isn't on their family tree "Uncle" or "Auntie" however, it is important for them to understand that it's about the bond not just blood.

I know about this from personal experience. I have an Auntie who has been and continues to be a superb blessing to me and my family. In fact my children, know her as "Grandma." Auntie T, I love and appreciate you more than words can ever say. May God continually bless you and yours.

Reference:
* http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2011/04/uncle-auntie.html

Are you the better person...

...or a better person?

More turtle tips

Last year, I shared some "turtle/tortoise tips* and felt there must be more we can learn from this creature and I found a blog post on the same topic. I'll share some excerpts from it (comments in brown, mine) - you may notice that some are a twist on tips I shared before.