Inspiration today is brought to you by the Golden Rule

 Today's inspiration is brought to you via the Golden Rule...yep the golden rule.  Not something I think about literally but hopefully something that live...

Anyway..My family was very pleased with most all aspects of the election..including the fact that the Marriage Amendment did not pass in the state of Minnesota.  

My youngest daughter and I were talking on Wednesday about this amendment...not really saying anything more than we have already...it is amazing what the teens perceive... I digress..

She looked at me and said "Really..it gets down to the golden rule.."  I looked at her quizzically (is that a word?) and she said, " really everything in life gets down to the Golden Rule...you know... do unto others..."  

Yes Lydia it does!  Well said !  

(PS: In 4 years...she will be a voter!) 

Ahhh Inspiration...Sandy at the Rockaways

Interestingly, this topic has taken on a life of its own. 

Due to Hurricane Sandy I don't have to think too hard about what has inspired me this week.  My daughter uses social media to communicate and she uses it well.  When it all went silent the day after the hurricane hit I knew she was in a tough spot.  I knew that she was okay due to where she lives I wasn't too worried...but I still wanted to hear from her.  Finally I did...she was distraught...but she has friends...she had places to go...the next day she headed out looking around and began on her mission to help others...When her power was restored she immediately went and packed up some of her belongs to donate.  After that she contacted me to help her gather donations..which we are doing. 

Then...and this is where my heart fills with pride...today...she headed out to the Rockaways..the beach area of NYC..the area greatly hit by the Sandy...and where the big fire happened...She and some volunteers took charge of organizing the food distribution site.  She said they kicked butt and organized all the food...made a thousand sandwiches to distribute, bagged perishables and non perishables for pick-up. 

She said she took charge because there really wasn't anyone knowing what to do...How cool is that?  I know that when out on the Mission field things can be chaotic until you get a pattern or sense of what needs to be done...

So today...my inspiration for life and helping comes directly from my daughter....She rocks my life!

Eat to Live...don't...Live to Eat

All this month I am going to be writing about inspiration.  In anticpation of this I have been thinking about things that inspire me and how I have been an inspiration to others. 

Many years ago I was working with a trainer (not the one I have now) and she wasn't very good.  Actually, she was terrible...but she did say one interesting...INSPIRING thing to me...it was...

EAT TO LIVE..DON'T ...LIVE TO EAT

This really struck a chord with me...Up to that point I really didn't listen to any eating/food/dieting advice.  I pretty much just ate..I never was overly concerned about food/exercise or fitness.  Throughout the next several years I replayed that message but really didn't do much about with it. 

I now eat pretty good.  I make good choices.  Last year at this time not so much..chips, sweets, pop/soda, candy, cookies and all sorts of veggies and fruits...you see I liked it all!

Food quickly turns into a problem for most of us.  It is what we plan most of our lives around...going out to eat, dieting, holidays, get togethers, emotional eating etc etc...I know I am/was a victim. 

I again replayed this message about 5 months ago and took it to heart...hence the inspiring part..I started taking myself out of the daily grind of food and its conotations. 

When planning on visiting friends I would offer to go for a walk or to a park vs to a resturant.  When needing to gather for a meeting I would offer to bring some fruit vs something less nutritional.  When needing to do something fun with people I would suggest something other than meeting for dinner. 

Has it been easy? Actually kinda...the other cool thing is it opens up a lot of conversation with people. 

Today...5 months later...I am less concerned about food...well actually very concerned about what I eat...I am careful most days/moments of what I put in my mouth.  Most all the food I eat tastes really good.  The flavor is fabulous.  I am rarely if ever full..which to me, feeling full is uncomfortable. 

I don't forsee in the future of going back to my old ways...I do need to figure out how to maintain and enjoy some savory things...but til then I will carry on eating to live!

Just a photo of me and my new jacket!  Love it! 

50, 12 and 5

Although I have been instructed (haha Laura) to not function only because of numbers...These numbers have all been good for me...

This week I finally hit the 50 mark..actually the 53 mark...53 pounds lost..It took me a few weeks to lose the last pound...which turned into 2 pounds...which ended up with me losing 5 to hit the 53 lbs lost! I am very pleased and will be rewarding myself with a new winter jacket..and maybe some fun boots!  

Early last week I stopped in at Upscale Consignment to find Lydia something PINK to wear for the football game.  They do different "color" outs for different causes or to just be funny..  Anyway...I decided to try on some jeans and was being silly and went for size 12...yep they fit!  So much fun!  I put them on hold and then went back to get them the next day! I don't even know if I ever wore a size 12 before..surely not as an adult!  

Today I ran 5 miles.  Last night I decided to try and run 5 miles with no expectations attached to it!  In fact along the way I tried to talk myself out of continuing.  So this morning I mapped my run...looking for a good route...I even allowed for some hills..knowing there is a killer hill in my next race...I did fine...I think my average mile time was 12.6 minutes which is okay...lol...now I am finding myself being critical!  

So 50, 12 and 5 are my new favorite numbers...what are yours?

Day 3 of 31

Almost forgot to write tonight...will keep in short...I don't need to rediscover my politics.  I am not undecided.  

Good Night! 

Day 2 of 31...

DAY TWO

Today I did take some time to reflect and to open my mind to different possibilities.  My mind became very crowded as the day went on.  There are many things I am still trying to come to terms with..things I want to accomplish ...to achieve ...but I know that I need to narrow those things down...the urgency is no longer there that use to be...and this makes me a bit sad...I am still looking for that purpose....

Here is a picture of me...taken at the MN State Fair...

 

 

31 Days of Looking for Myself...

Today I begin anew...2012 is to be my year.  MY. YEAR.  I was to start in January...and I kind of did but it really didn't kick in until the end of April.  At the end of April I took back my health and changed my lifestyle.  I have made so many changes I am not even going to list them...but lets just say I am probably healthier than I have ever been...

I still have some work to do...God only knows how true that statement is...and while on that topic...I need to say that my FAITH has been shaken and I am trying to figure all that out too. 

So for the next 31 days I will be blogging about my journey.  I think there will be posts about lifestyle, financial, faith, relationships and probably work...I know it sounds sketchy but that is pretty much how I roll now a days! 

Day One

Oh where to start.   When I first started working out I took advantage of my relationship with God.  But that was to change and I am still not sure how I feel about that.  Part of me is sad, but part me is like "eh" life goes on.  I use to pray a lot when out on my bike rides..not so much anymore.  

But enough of the complaining...I tried today to hold my attention in a prayer..can't say it was overly effective or that I remember what it was that I prayed about but the fact that I did is good, right? 

So tomorrow I will try again... and move on from there!