Posts from — December 2007

Today is the day many people will make a resolution to eat less.  Here are a few diet secrets from Suzanne Heins that all women know:

1.  Food is not fattening if you eat it standing up.

2.  If you feel guilty enough about eating something, it cancels out the calories.

3.  Cookie dough, cake batter, or other uncooked foods do not have nearly the pounds-on potential as the actual end products.

4.   Ice cream has fewer calories if you eat it out of the carton.

5.  You will not gain weight from eating a rich dessert if the dessert actually belongs to someone else.

6.  The mere thought of exercise frightens calories away.

Encouragement Always.

On a recent episode of Oprah, she interviewed a man who had lost over 500 pounds.  He didn’t have surgery or use any pills, potions or patches.  He did it the old fashioned way — one pound at a time.  A nutritionist helped him create a 2500-calorie per day menu plan, and he laced up his sneakers and started walking.  He started trying to walk one lap around the track, and over time he gradually increased his distance.  Now he is able to walk four miles a day without breaking a sweat.

It is hard for most of us to imagine how difficult it must have been for this individual not to get discouraged by how much weight he had to lose — and to keep going.  My minister routinely reminds our congregation that we wlook a whole lot better in the future than we do right now.  I imagine that similar thoughts kept Oprah’s guest from giving up.

But as I watched him, I kept thinking he was responsible for more than 500 pounds being lost.  Millions of people watch Oprah each day.  And I am certain that there were veiwers sitting at home who needed to lose weight or take some other monumental action in order to live up to their potential.  Watching Oprah’s guest and hearing his story of perseverance probably inspired millions of others to challenge themselves and follow through on that challenge.

How many of Oprah’s viewers do you imagine were inspired enough to get up off the couch, face themselves in the mirror, and ask the question that can transform the world: “Why not me?”  Like them, you can begin right now doing whatever it takes to dwell in the possibility of living a more vital and fulfilling life.

Encouragement Always. 

Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.

Encouragement Always.

Christmas was fun.  We got up early and watched the kids open their gifts.  My oldest daughter made breakfast.  We ate and then my husband, Tim and I took a nap.  Tim baked chocolate chip cookies.  I made lasagna for dinner and while it was baking we we went for a walk.  I could not believe how warm it was outside.  After dinner we went to see The Great Debaters starring and directed by Denzel Washington.  It was a great movie, the kind that makes you want to stand a little taller. 

Yesterday was a good day, I am hopeful that today will be better.

Encouragement Always.

I hope today is filled with peace and other good things.

Encouragement Always.

Take a deep breath and ease into the contours of your life.  Pause regularly and remind yourself to trust the process and know that if you stay the path, you will get to where you need to go.  If you keep moving and believing you will achieve your goals.  Try to remain calm and confident when the road gets steep.  Let go of your need to control, surrender to the soothing sound of your inner voice and follow where it leads…

Encouragement Always.

1.  You can’t turn back the clock.   But you can wind it up again.  (Bonnie Prudden)

2.  Time heals all wounds, unless you pick at them.  (Shaun Alexander)

3.  Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.  (Steven Wright)

Encouragement Always.

I was in a department store one afternoon, when the manager came over the intercom and announced to the store associates that it was time for a mid-day recovery.  This was time set aside for the associates to clean up from the morning rush and get ready for the rest of the day.  Scheduling a period of mid-day recovery might just be what the doctor ordered for anyone who suffers from chronic overwhelm.

Encouragement Always.

I love this classic Christmas movie starring Jimmy Stewart.  I love it because it reminds me that every life matters.   I have been really busy, but I am committed to finding the time to watch it before the season ends.    I hope you will do the same.

Encouragement Always.

It is time to live your life.  It is time to forgive yourself and others.  It is time to pursue your passion and fulfill your purpose.  It is time to move beyond your doubts and embrace new possibilities.  It is time to take a stand for something you believe in.  It is time to change what you don’t want and to accept what you can’t do anything about.  It is time to stop settling for less than you deserve.  It is time to have courage and be encouraged.

Encouragement Always.