Friday
Wednesday
The Biggest Winner
Last night my husband and I went to have dinner and watch the season finale of The Biggest Loser with friends. I haven't watched this show in several years, so I was struck last night by how I felt watching it. I was emotional for two reasons.
First, because there was a girl whose starting weight was only 7 lbs heavier than my heaviest weight. It struck me right then. At one point in time I was big enough to have been on the show. Now I would never have wanted to be on the show, but we look at the before pictures and that was ME. I could see myself in so many of those girls.
Second, because I knew how they felt. I knew how they felt when they were showing interviews from the beginning of the season. I heard girls saying they were nothing, that they had failed at life because they had failed at their weight. One girl said she felt like she deserved nothing out of life because of her weight. Someone referred to their weight as a prison. I understand all of those statements to my core. I felt them, I lived them.
But what was great about watching the finale, is I got to rejoice with them. I know how great that victory feels!! When their faces light up with joy at the scale, I've been there. I, too, have done my share of weigh in dances and shouts of joy. I get it, and it was great to see. Losing weight is such a hard battle, but it is so worth the fight. It remains one of the best things I could have ever done for myself. The changes in me run so much deeper than my physical size.
Last nights show inspired me to keep living the healthy lifestyle I had established, to not slip into old habits...because I don't want to look in the mirror ever again and see the girl I was a year ago. One lady on the show last night said how there might be only one Biggest Loser, but that they were all Biggest Winners. I liked that. :)
First, because there was a girl whose starting weight was only 7 lbs heavier than my heaviest weight. It struck me right then. At one point in time I was big enough to have been on the show. Now I would never have wanted to be on the show, but we look at the before pictures and that was ME. I could see myself in so many of those girls.
Second, because I knew how they felt. I knew how they felt when they were showing interviews from the beginning of the season. I heard girls saying they were nothing, that they had failed at life because they had failed at their weight. One girl said she felt like she deserved nothing out of life because of her weight. Someone referred to their weight as a prison. I understand all of those statements to my core. I felt them, I lived them.
But what was great about watching the finale, is I got to rejoice with them. I know how great that victory feels!! When their faces light up with joy at the scale, I've been there. I, too, have done my share of weigh in dances and shouts of joy. I get it, and it was great to see. Losing weight is such a hard battle, but it is so worth the fight. It remains one of the best things I could have ever done for myself. The changes in me run so much deeper than my physical size.
Last nights show inspired me to keep living the healthy lifestyle I had established, to not slip into old habits...because I don't want to look in the mirror ever again and see the girl I was a year ago. One lady on the show last night said how there might be only one Biggest Loser, but that they were all Biggest Winners. I liked that. :)
Tuesday
Anniversaries
We live in a country that likes take the time to stop and remember past events. We tick off anniversaries of past tragedies. Last month was the 12th anniversary of the Columbine High School shootings. This year will be the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Next week will be the 100th anniversary of the Titanic launching out of Belfast.
Monday
Good Day
Days like yesterday leave me refreshed to return to work today.
Morning and evening filled with worship with my Church family.
Lunch filled with laughter with these same people.
Afternoons filled with discussion and digging deeper...again with my Church family.
Early evening volleyball games with teens, and catching up with old friends.
Yesterday was a good day, my heart is happy. I am so blessed with amazing people in my life. I am so thankful for each and everyone one of them. I'm thrilled with friends who encourage me and expect better from me.
Morning and evening filled with worship with my Church family.
Lunch filled with laughter with these same people.
Afternoons filled with discussion and digging deeper...again with my Church family.
Early evening volleyball games with teens, and catching up with old friends.
Yesterday was a good day, my heart is happy. I am so blessed with amazing people in my life. I am so thankful for each and everyone one of them. I'm thrilled with friends who encourage me and expect better from me.
Friday
I'm No "Extreme Couponer", but....
The hubz and I have been seeking out ways to save some money and pay off some bills. Several years ago I tried to do some shopping combining sales with coupons, but it was a lot of work for little savings. Inspired by TLC's show Extreme Couponing, I thought I would give it try again and bought a newspaper last week. I have no intention of become a hoarder...but if we can get the things we are going to use anyway for pennies on the dollar...I'm all for that. :)
The deals don't really add up until you've accumulated about a months worth of coupon inserts, but I was pretty excited to see what deals I could find early on. We had a fun night figuring out the deals and just spending time together.
So here it is:
We got about $30 worth of products for $9...would have been $7 but I grabbed the wrong coupon. Oh well. LOL
- Blessings!
The deals don't really add up until you've accumulated about a months worth of coupon inserts, but I was pretty excited to see what deals I could find early on. We had a fun night figuring out the deals and just spending time together.
So here it is:
We got about $30 worth of products for $9...would have been $7 but I grabbed the wrong coupon. Oh well. LOL
- Blessings!
Saturday
Essential Oils I Can't Live Without - Peppermint
There are two oils I keep in my purse so I don't leave home without: Lavender and Peppermint. They are the two most versatile oils, and my "go to" oils for just about anything.
I have always suffered tension headaches and migraines, using peppermint oil has completely replaced my use of pain relievers. I just dab a little on my forehead and the base of my neck, and shortly thereafter the pain is gone. This, alone, makes the oil worth every penny to me, but it's good for so much more!
- Put a couple drops in hot water for a yummy tea and soothe digestion
- Rub several drops in your stomach if you have an upset stomach or motion sickness
- Garlic/Onion breath after lunch? Put a drop on your tongue after lunch, it will both freshen your breath and increase alertness and concentration as you return to work.
- Breathe in the fragrance of peppermint to curb appetite and lessen the impulse to overeat.
If you want to try out Peppermint for yourself visit YoungLiving.com and use ID # 1137825.
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Blessings!
Monday
Torn
I have to admit I'm torn over the death of Osama Bin Laden. There are two sides of me dueling and I'm not sure which to pick.
The first side is the American in me. As an American who cannot forget 9/11 and the effects it had on my country, and even my family. This part of me wants to jump up and shout that the man who has been responsible for the death of thousands of people is now dead.
Then there is my faith... Jesus tells me to love my enemies and to pray for them.
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:27-36
"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him." Proverbs 24:17-18
I have often on this blog talked about how I want to be a person who chooses love. I'm not always successful at this, I know. But I just have to think that if more people chose a response of love instead of a response of hate/anger, this world would be a little better place.
Let me say that I agree with the Navy SEALS taking down Bin Laden. He had committed a horrible crime, he needed go be stopped, and his crime needed to be punished. I think it is one thing to celebrate a victory, I'm just not so comfortable celebrating the death of a man...regardless of who he is.
"I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
~Martin Luther King Jr
I guess I have made my choice.
- Blessings!
The first side is the American in me. As an American who cannot forget 9/11 and the effects it had on my country, and even my family. This part of me wants to jump up and shout that the man who has been responsible for the death of thousands of people is now dead.
Then there is my faith... Jesus tells me to love my enemies and to pray for them.
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:27-36
"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him." Proverbs 24:17-18
I have often on this blog talked about how I want to be a person who chooses love. I'm not always successful at this, I know. But I just have to think that if more people chose a response of love instead of a response of hate/anger, this world would be a little better place.
Let me say that I agree with the Navy SEALS taking down Bin Laden. He had committed a horrible crime, he needed go be stopped, and his crime needed to be punished. I think it is one thing to celebrate a victory, I'm just not so comfortable celebrating the death of a man...regardless of who he is.
"I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
~Martin Luther King Jr
I guess I have made my choice.
- Blessings!
Location:Torn
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