We’ve all heard this, to give thanks in all things. It’s hard to do sometimes. Can I get a witness? It’s really difficult to be thankful when you’re facing an unexpected but necessary expense that you’re wondering how on Earth you’ll pay. When your house is a mess, you’re exhausted, and this is only the beginning of your day, thankfulness may be the last thing on your mind. When things get you down, try to flip the script.
Instead of fretting about that bill (and I’m preaching to myself here too), pray for God to provide the means to handle it. Be thankful for a Father who listens and cares about our every need (and desire).
Instead of grumbling about the dishes to be done, the pies to be baked, and all the laundry to be put away, (again…this is me today!), be grateful that you have food that dirtied the dishes, guests coming to share the pie, and healthy bodies to clothe and the means with which to clean those clothes and the healthy bodies.
If we step outside ourselves for just a moment, we can find even the smallest things to be thankful for.
Thank you, Lord, for eyes and sight with which to read this post.
Thank you, Father, for the ability to form original thoughts, even when I’m so overwhelmed.
Thank you, Jesus, for so much activity in my life and loved ones who count on me even if it means I can scarcely keep my eyes open right now.
It’s Tuesday and of course you knew that. There’s been so much buzz in the news today and very little of it is pretty or about being thankful. This is a busy week for most of us with grocery lists as long as our arms, budgets to stretch, houses to clean, food to cook, and company to welcome. Make sure in all this bustle that you take a few moments to just breathe…
Culture: I love exploring new cultures, their music, their food, their ways of living. When I had the opportunity to accompany my boy on a school field trip to see a band from China–a folk fusion band, no less–I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough. Being analytical and curious, I truly enjoy learning what life looks like through the eyes of others. Today was nothing short of a treat as I got to experience our downtown theatre treasure I’ve been wanting to see coupled with a great concert with my son. Since it was a short trip, I opted to ride the bus, with my son’s permission. He’s almost a teenager so I’m careful to tune into how much my kids want me involved in certain things.
The knees on the bus go…
The bus ride was an immediate joy. Sitting down, my knees slammed into the seat in front of me and I was transported back to my own school days when the buses were far too crowded with three to a seat, which meant any corner or slight turn involved gymnastic moves to keep me from falling out into the aisle. Simply put, unless you’re a toddler, there is no room to put your legs. I felt loads of empathy towards the tall boys and girls who must endure this on a twice-daily basis. Once my kneecaps recovered and I found a semi-tolerable sitting position, my son and I started chatting. I may have very quietly in a severely hushed tone asked if he was using those Stridex pads I purchased. He doesn’t need them per se but an ounce of prevention…”Mom!! Oh my gosh! You’re never coming on a field trip with me again!!”
What? Does everyone suddenly have bionic hearing?? This is the same kid who yawned out loud during the sermon in church yesterday and wondered why I wanted to melt into my seat. But somehow my raspy whisper admist a bus full of 60-some kids all talking loudly at once as the bus rattles down the highway is far more mortifying. He immediately apologized because I’ve mastered the guilt look. This is the look the falls upon my motherly face when my kids accidentally insult me or speak too harshly and they’re instantly consumed with guilt about it. The look works. I’m not ashamed.
Such beautiful architecture!
The rest of the trip was fantastic. We poured into this beautiful theatre and enjoyed music from a Chinese band whose members, except for one, don’t speak English. The Chinese young man who was interpreting into English speaks in a British accent. Perfect! They were highly entertaining and we got to learn a little about where they live, in different remote areas of China. One band member lives in a deep valley between two very tall mountains (is there any other kind?) so he sings on the hillside and relies on the echo of his song to communicate with the village on the other side of mountain. How amazing is that? We can send a message with a few keystrokes and a button on our phone, but he sings his message and the echo carries it to others who live a day’s walk away. I take for granted how easy it is to communicate, how with the push of a button or two, this blog post will reach hundreds, possibly thousands of people, just that easily.
Monday pretty often gets a bad name. But today, cultural experience that I could share with my son and a bunch of other youngsters, a crampy bus ride where we laughed all the way back, and a little lesson in not taking things for granted is pretty impressive for a Monday.
You may have groaned when you read the word fitness in the title. Sometimes that word inspires me and draws me in and I want to learn more. Some days it’s in my face and I want to shun the word and the motion altogether. I’m turning over a new health leaf though and instead of grumbling about how I’m aging or how I wish this or that was more fit, I’m actually going to DO something about it. We’ve been gym members for a couple of years and it’s just hard to get there. We are busy people just as we live in a busy society. But I’m learning to put me first once in awhile, even though it flies in the face of what comes naturally. What feels natural is to put others (my family) first. But taking care of me is a good thing and it allows me to be strong, healthy and able for others.
I’ve sorely slacked at getting to the gym lately. I went great guns when we joined our new, closer-to-home gym a few months ago. I planned to squeeze benefits out of every last dollar of that monthly membership. And for awhile, I did just that. But, as it always does, life got busy. I got writing more, doing more, and spending more and more time taking care of everyone else. The excuses not to go to the gym get increasingly craftier the colder and snowier it gets. I’m here to inspire you, dear reader, to exercise–whatever that looks like to you personally–and to inspire myself in the process.
Going to the gym does not have to be a frightening prospect. It may look intimidating at first blush, but I assure you that there are folks of all sizes, shapes, ages, and abilities at every gym. I also assure you that you’re capable of far more than you think you are. I almost always crap out much sooner than I should. I’ve learned that when it feels like I’m spent, to push myself a little further. It feels amazing when I push and my body accommodates. That just encourages me to do more and to keep coming back.
January 1st is when most people resolve to get fit and that’s when most gym memberships and exercise equipment are purchased. And then a few short weeks later, fitness and those lofty resolutions lose their luster. Don’t let that be you. Start now…before all that holiday food is displayed on your dining room table, at cookie exchanges, and holiday parties. Change your way of eating and your fitness goals now so you don’t have that overindulging guilt from eating far more than you wanted and definitely more than you needed.
Don’t be mistaken, enjoy yourself this holiday season. Heck, enjoy yourself every holiday season. Please do! But when you’re excising at home or in a gym, you will be much more inclined not to overeat or eat the wrong things because you don’t want to just “zero out” that hard work. You want that sweat (and sometimes tears, let’s be real!) to really count for something. If you keep at it, even two or three days a week, you will see results and when you do…oh, baby, it feels amazing.
You don’t have to run out and buy expensive weights or even join a gym. Set up a fitness plan that will actually work for you. Run or walk. They’re both free! You can make a small investment in some dumbbells, a yoga mat ($5 at Five Below!), and get online and find some great videos that will work at your pace and fitness level. Getting started is a big deal, so do it! You will be glad you did. If you need an exercise partner, pick me! I’d love to partner up and encourage each other on. It’s much more inspiring when you have someone keeping you accountable and sharing in your triumphs! You’re already fabulous, now go get fit and do some good stuff for your mind and body.
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