"Optimism is a seed sown in the soil of faith; pessimism is a seed hoarded in the vault of doubt." ---William Ward
Spring is nearing and soon the tulips blossoming in vibrant colors showing the world their beauty and grace. Leaves are peaking through the branches of trees, wondering if it is safe to come forward and spread their wings. The brown grass that abandoned its color for a brownish, lifeless existence is once again transforming into a soft green carpet for the children to run and play. The sun now shining in far greater abundance is beginning to warm the air, the ground and the soul. Spring is near and with it comes a new beginning for nature. Everything around us begins to regain its forgotten color, once again grab your attention, and leave you breathless at the beauty this world provides all of us.
"In the spring time, the only pretty ring time,When birds do sing, hey ding a ding;Sweet lovers love the spring." ---William Shakespeare
Humanity once again begins to emerge and revisit parks and the many places abandoned due to the cold winter. Large snow piles are melting quickly. Storms filled with snow and cold are slowly replaced with storms of cleansing rain. Feeling the sun warm your skin and taking in the beauty all around you is something most take for granted. The complete makeover that spring brings with it and the new beginning for plants and color is amazing. It is our world starting over with a new optimism.
I feel that this is my spring and that my life is at a point of starting over. Nearly two hundred pounds left behind, a divorce that shattered my family, leaving me stunned and confused. The financial difficulty that accompanies divorce is shocking and life altering. Watching the pain my children had to endure through no fault of their own. Accepting a new job, dating and laying the foundation for the rest of my life were daunting. Witnessing the Lord find me and in return finding him. Saying goodbye to many from my past and meeting new friends for the present and future was difficult, but rewarding. Letting go of the dock and exploring the sea of life is sometimes scary, but infinitely filled with personal growth and enjoyment. Meeting, dating and falling in love with a woman who tells me she fell in love with my children before she fell in love with me.
"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ---Frank Clark
Like spring, no matter where you find yourself, life can renew. No matter the challenges or the obstacles before you, it is possible to overcome and conquer. It all begins with optimism, belief in you and determination. Nearly two-hundred pounds left behind began with a first step taken and a first day of eating differently. A shattered personal life began with a prayer, realization, and acceptance of my role, her role and recognizing what led everyone down that path. Our lives are filled with challenges and many lie ahead. It is how we rebound or rebuild from those challenges that determine our worth and the value we add to our children’s lives. I can say from experience that no matter the challenge, no matter the hardship, that like a beautiful, colorful spring; we have the ability for a new beginning and the ability to design the life we desire. A life the empowers and shows by example to the children we love that defeat and surrender are not an option. It is with great joy, excitement and anticipation that I wait for spring, and like it, continue to renew and rebuild.
"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." ---Christopher Reeve
"Goals are a means to an end, not the ultimate purpose of our lives. They are simply a tool to concentrate our focus and move us in a direction. The only reason we really pursue goals is to cause ourselves to expand and grow. Achieving goals by themselves will never make us happy in the long term; it's who you become, as you overcome the obstacles necessary to achieve your goals, that can give you the deepest and most long-lasting sense of fulfillment." ---Anthony Robbins
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
My Scale Hates Me
"It is ironic that we focus on weight loss, when the real challenge is weight maintenance." ---James Hill
I have a very nice digital scale that is designed for larger folks. I purchased this scale a couple of years ago and finding a scale that goes over 400 pounds at the local Target is not really happening. I ordered this scale from an online pharmacy and it measures up to 500 pounds. When I began my journey, it read a whopping 432 pounds after a month of dieting. My scale has endured a great many scathing from me throughout the past two plus years. There were many good days and weeks when I lavished the scale with praise. A beautiful scale would tell a person they are lighter. A beautiful scale would inform a person that not all their work for the week was in vain and resulting in no loss or worse, a gain. Yes, my scale had many beautiful days and weeks those past two years. My question now is what the hell is wrong with its attitude?
"A person's activity level is a better predictor of weight gain and loss. In other words, for those wishing to lose weight, changing your diet may not be enough." ---Judy Cameron
I have done nothing to harm you and yet you continue to show me stuck at the same weight. I hold you responsible for this and if you do not improve your attitude, I am going to send you packing to the DI or Salvation Army Thrift Store. I provide shelter, food in the finest of batteries and a very nice place to rest. In return, you have laughed at me and mocked me when I stand upon you. I come to you each week with a positive attitude, wanting to share my enthusiasm with you. Week after week since Christmas, you have sent me away after raining on my parade. I let you into my intimate world. Only you have had the displeasure of watching my strip tease to negotiate the numbers into a more acceptable reading. Stop already, I have nothing left to disrobe. It does not get any more removed than nakey.
"If worry were an effective weight-loss program, women would be invisible." ---Nancy Drew
I had a hint of doubt before I allowed you into my life. I wondered if we were compatible. I was not sure I liked your name. Tanita is a nice name, but for me it did not sound as though we could have a healthy long-term relationship. I hope I was not correct those two-plus years ago. I am going to make you this promise Tanita. During the next seven days, I will do my part and workout, eat correctly and adjust my program. If you treat me fairly next week, you can stay and we just may be able to salvage this relationship. Fail me and it will be the Thrift Store for you.
"We are never more discontented with others than when we are discontented with ourselves." ---Henri Frederic Amiel
"Optimism seems actually to change the nervous system and boost the immune response, just as being gloomy depresses it." ---Shelley Taylor
I have a very nice digital scale that is designed for larger folks. I purchased this scale a couple of years ago and finding a scale that goes over 400 pounds at the local Target is not really happening. I ordered this scale from an online pharmacy and it measures up to 500 pounds. When I began my journey, it read a whopping 432 pounds after a month of dieting. My scale has endured a great many scathing from me throughout the past two plus years. There were many good days and weeks when I lavished the scale with praise. A beautiful scale would tell a person they are lighter. A beautiful scale would inform a person that not all their work for the week was in vain and resulting in no loss or worse, a gain. Yes, my scale had many beautiful days and weeks those past two years. My question now is what the hell is wrong with its attitude?
"A person's activity level is a better predictor of weight gain and loss. In other words, for those wishing to lose weight, changing your diet may not be enough." ---Judy Cameron
I have done nothing to harm you and yet you continue to show me stuck at the same weight. I hold you responsible for this and if you do not improve your attitude, I am going to send you packing to the DI or Salvation Army Thrift Store. I provide shelter, food in the finest of batteries and a very nice place to rest. In return, you have laughed at me and mocked me when I stand upon you. I come to you each week with a positive attitude, wanting to share my enthusiasm with you. Week after week since Christmas, you have sent me away after raining on my parade. I let you into my intimate world. Only you have had the displeasure of watching my strip tease to negotiate the numbers into a more acceptable reading. Stop already, I have nothing left to disrobe. It does not get any more removed than nakey.
"If worry were an effective weight-loss program, women would be invisible." ---Nancy Drew
I had a hint of doubt before I allowed you into my life. I wondered if we were compatible. I was not sure I liked your name. Tanita is a nice name, but for me it did not sound as though we could have a healthy long-term relationship. I hope I was not correct those two-plus years ago. I am going to make you this promise Tanita. During the next seven days, I will do my part and workout, eat correctly and adjust my program. If you treat me fairly next week, you can stay and we just may be able to salvage this relationship. Fail me and it will be the Thrift Store for you.
"We are never more discontented with others than when we are discontented with ourselves." ---Henri Frederic Amiel
"Optimism seems actually to change the nervous system and boost the immune response, just as being gloomy depresses it." ---Shelley Taylor
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