Oops! I just realized I hadn't yet blogged today. My deal with Jason this morning is that I could go back to sleep after working out if I blogged when I got home. When I got home earlier I actually did something I've been meaning to do for a while now. I took fingernail polish remover to my car's headlights. They were super foggy and not allowing the light to go through cleanly. Jason's Dad actually recommended using the acetone. Worked like a charm! I really should have taken before and after pictures! Now I can't wait to drive in the dark to test out my new and improved headlights!
This morning I got to sleep in until 5:30-blessing! Mer loves to sleep. (I just laughed at myself for referring to myself in third person!) JP and I did Bob's Pure Burn Pure Strength DVD. We did the 25 minutes beginner's workout. I think we're used to Bob killing us so this workout wasn't so bad. Of course... We didn't use real weights, rather only the weight of our own arms. I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with it. :) Tomorrow we're going to do half of the real workout, with real weights. I might now be able to lift my arms all day and be singing a different tune as to how hard the workout was! We actually previewed it a little--much harder!
I also watched the "18 Kids and Counting" special from last night. I had heard the reports at the end of last year that the Duggar's had indeed lost their 20th child so I expected it to come up in the episodes eventually. I cried right along with their family a they grieves for baby Jubilee Shalom. I so admire Michelle and Jim Bob's faith during a trial like that. The first words out of Michelle when they found out the baby had no heartbeat, "The Lord gives and takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." What an amazing attitude of faith, love and trust in the Lord that He's in control an knows the plans for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11-13). What an eternal perspective they have! I wonder if I could say the same?!
The Duggars' are such a controversial family but honestly what right do we have to have any say over the number of children they have? They are raising such sweet children who whole heartedly love Jesus and their family. Well I'll get off my soap box about them. I would jus like to say that I'm sorry for their loss. I can't imagine how hard that must be.
In other news, my lovely assistant at work is getting married this Saturday to her best friend! I've heard about many of the details and can't wait to see everything for myself. The flip side is she'll be on her honeymoon next week. So happy for her.....sad for me.
I've been dreading next week for several months now. I've been so spoiled by my excellent assistant. She's so awesome and does such a great job at everything! I can teach her something new and she's good after that. She's just been such a pleasure to work with. She keeps me sane and is my first line of defense when the phone rings. But next week, everything will rest on my shoulders again. Answering the phone all day and dealing with people just exhausts me. I'm already quite busy (answered 74 email today)!
I'm praying everything will go well. I'm praying there won't be an influx of ACT parents. I'm praying there won't be crazy people calling on he magnet biz side. I'm praying... Will you pray with me that it's an easy week?!
Also my love will be gone that week, camping in the mountains by himself. No assistant. No love. Working out by myself. Whew! It's going to be an interesting week. Maybe it'll be a week of define meant? Maybe I'll prove to myself that I really can handle everything? Maybe my new disciplined self will get up dark and early with Bob and do an hour workout instead if 30? There are a lot of maybes there.
Jason's recently started calling me "butterfly". I know he sees in me what I do not. He sees the changes in me and is encouraging me to grow into this new creature I'm becoming. I already feel so different than even six months ago. I know in the depths of my soul, this change, unlike all the others before, will stick. I have already made so many changes to my life, for the betterment of me and my future. If I'm not at my best, how then can I be ready to serve Him at a moment's notice? It I my sincerest hope that like the butterfly I too will blossom into something completely different than when I started. Then and only then will I reveal my before pictures. :)
Thank you, Father for giving me the strength and ability to push my body through a workout. Thank you for allowing my sciatic nerve pain to basically have disappeared. That, in and of itself, is a miracle!! Praise the Lord! Thank You!
Showing posts with label Change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Change. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Catch-up not Ketchup
The weekend was great. Relaxing time spent with both Jason, my Sister and nephew. Friday night after work, Jason and I met at La Reunion in Helena. If you live in the area, you know about this little hidden gem. They serve very yummy food and have a great environment for hanging out and playing games. Friday nights, they do trivia. It's both maddening and fun to have that going on in the background while we concentrate on our game. However this particular night, we were learning how to play a new game, Settlers of Cattan. It doesn't come with instructions, rather an Almanac! I'm not very good at reading and following directions, so we sometimes make me figure out how to play a game to stretch me. After about 30 minutes of having no idea what I read, I passed the buck to JP. He, on the other hand, is good at figuring stuff out. (In fact, there's really not much that he can't do.). Remember there's very loud trivia going on around us so this takes skill of concentration. I got put on charge of ordering dinner. We shared an egg salad sandwich (pretty good) and a Asian chicken salad sandwich (yum) and potato salad (amazing!).
After much reading, (along with a hefty learning curve), we finally figure out how to play. For a total of nearly five hours we played! At ten, they closed and we carefully moved everything to the front porch. What a fun game! Since it requires at least three players, we both played two people. That was sometimes confusing but helped both your opponents.
Time always passes too quickly with Jason around. It's like a vortex an the next thing we know it's Sunday night. But this weekend held a lot I adventure!
Saturday day, I spent time with my sister and nephew. We went out to eat, wandered around Target then headed to her house. Somewhere during that time, I developed a headache, which quickly turning into a migraine. By the time we arrived at my sister's, I collapsed int middle of my nephew's bedroom floor. It was dark, quiet, and cool. I was laying in corpse position, trying to get the pounding to stop. I'm pretty sure I scared my nephew. He was so sweet though. He would quietly come check on me. Sometimes standing right next to me. Other times, he laid in his bed next to me. Never saying a word. Just quietly loving me. Sweet baby! I eventually fell asleep and woke up about 40 minutes later feeling nearly completely better. Praise the Lord!
I was to meet Jason for a concert, Act of Congress. I'm so thankful my head got better, I would have kicked myself for missing that concert. They are incredibly talented musicians who play excellent bluegrass [http://www.actofcongressmusic.com/]. Check them out on iTunes as well.
Sunday, Jason and I got to go to the McWayne Center! We've been wanting to go there for two years now. We had so much fun playing with all the exhibits and even watched an IMAX movie on coral reef. It was a fun day filled with wonder an excitement.
Monday's workout was a no-go. My fault entirely. I couldn't get up. JP told me to go back to bed and I slept another 2.5 hours!
Today's workout was great! We did Bob's Warrior Yoga again. I'm finding some things getting easier; flexibility within stretches but I have trouble on ab work. Obviously those muscles haven't been used in a while and even though I tell myself not to complain, I still yell at Bob! (Good thing he can't hear me! He'd make me do more, I'm sure!)
I just found out that Jason won't be able to workout with me next week, so it'll be the true test of my endurance and commitment for myself to get up out of bed and put in the work. I'd like to say ill be strong, but it'll be so tempting to sleep in. Augh. I can't even think like that! I actually enjoy working out in the AM instead of at night after a long day at work.
On TBL tonight, they were driving the point home that exercise doesn't have to be boring. There's so many different activities that are fun and burn calories. I need to find my niche, so I'll look forward to working out. Once I start to see results, I know that'll be the push that motivate me more than anything.
What about you? What form of exercise do you do that's fun while getting a good workout in?! Anyone doing ZUMBA?! Please let me know what's helped you!
After much reading, (along with a hefty learning curve), we finally figure out how to play. For a total of nearly five hours we played! At ten, they closed and we carefully moved everything to the front porch. What a fun game! Since it requires at least three players, we both played two people. That was sometimes confusing but helped both your opponents.
Time always passes too quickly with Jason around. It's like a vortex an the next thing we know it's Sunday night. But this weekend held a lot I adventure!
Saturday day, I spent time with my sister and nephew. We went out to eat, wandered around Target then headed to her house. Somewhere during that time, I developed a headache, which quickly turning into a migraine. By the time we arrived at my sister's, I collapsed int middle of my nephew's bedroom floor. It was dark, quiet, and cool. I was laying in corpse position, trying to get the pounding to stop. I'm pretty sure I scared my nephew. He was so sweet though. He would quietly come check on me. Sometimes standing right next to me. Other times, he laid in his bed next to me. Never saying a word. Just quietly loving me. Sweet baby! I eventually fell asleep and woke up about 40 minutes later feeling nearly completely better. Praise the Lord!
I was to meet Jason for a concert, Act of Congress. I'm so thankful my head got better, I would have kicked myself for missing that concert. They are incredibly talented musicians who play excellent bluegrass [http://www.actofcongressmusic.com/]. Check them out on iTunes as well.
Sunday, Jason and I got to go to the McWayne Center! We've been wanting to go there for two years now. We had so much fun playing with all the exhibits and even watched an IMAX movie on coral reef. It was a fun day filled with wonder an excitement.
Monday's workout was a no-go. My fault entirely. I couldn't get up. JP told me to go back to bed and I slept another 2.5 hours!
Today's workout was great! We did Bob's Warrior Yoga again. I'm finding some things getting easier; flexibility within stretches but I have trouble on ab work. Obviously those muscles haven't been used in a while and even though I tell myself not to complain, I still yell at Bob! (Good thing he can't hear me! He'd make me do more, I'm sure!)
I just found out that Jason won't be able to workout with me next week, so it'll be the true test of my endurance and commitment for myself to get up out of bed and put in the work. I'd like to say ill be strong, but it'll be so tempting to sleep in. Augh. I can't even think like that! I actually enjoy working out in the AM instead of at night after a long day at work.
On TBL tonight, they were driving the point home that exercise doesn't have to be boring. There's so many different activities that are fun and burn calories. I need to find my niche, so I'll look forward to working out. Once I start to see results, I know that'll be the push that motivate me more than anything.
What about you? What form of exercise do you do that's fun while getting a good workout in?! Anyone doing ZUMBA?! Please let me know what's helped you!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Exhausted
I'm so unbelievably sleepy. I can't wait to go to bed! It's only 8pm too! Today's late post is because I slept through this mornings workout. I woke up around 5, but Jason said he'd been calling and texting me with zero reply. I don't know why I'm so exhausted!! So he went to work early and I went back to sleep for TWO hours! In a way, it was nice but I missed working out this morning. I'll make up for it tomorrow.
Bob's new Inside Out Method DVD set arrived today. Fun! I need to take "before" pictures before we start changing!
I'm too tired to say anything intelligent, just wanted to give a quick update. I'm going to bed now.
Bob's new Inside Out Method DVD set arrived today. Fun! I need to take "before" pictures before we start changing!
I'm too tired to say anything intelligent, just wanted to give a quick update. I'm going to bed now.
Friday, March 16, 2012
45-10-10
The Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga routine is NOT for the fain of heart. I always dread that particular workout with Bob, as I know it'll hurt during, after and for days to come. :) Hurt is good though, right? At least that's what everyone says. This is the second time we've done this workout this week. Mr. Bendy is amazing at it! Oh, to be able to move and stretch and hold posses like he does! Someday! I'm learning, albeit begrudgingly, that I often have to do the modified version. As long as I'm still pushing myself, I'm getting the same results.
There was a time (about 3-4 years ago) when I was working out consistently at the Y. Every Tuesday night they offered a class called Body Flow. It's a triad workout: Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates which built flexibility and strength. When I first started, I was clumsy, unbalanced and struggled with many of the holds (like now), but I eventually got it. My body started to change, adapt and soon I was rotating through the posses without any problems. I need to remember that. I always want to hit the ground running at peak level, but forget I have to work up to that.
This week hasn't been easy, but I've been shocked and slightly amazed that I've actually been able to wake up early all week. After the workout is finished and Mr. Bendy goes off to work, I'm left here to write for about an hour or so. I love the quiet of the morning to think and pray and write. It gets my creative juices flowing. Even if I'm only writing about my workout, everything else will come. Being the Active Ingredient last year was a lot of fun, but my passion for writing and taking pictures got put on the back burner. Which is fine, but I've missed that aspect of what makes me me. I'm excited to see what opportunities God brings in this new year as I learn what it means to Create Something Beautiful.
Oh, which reminds me, I've been wanting to share with you something I read recently while waiting for Jason at his work. It was actually in a fire sprinkler magazine, but the source is irrelevant. The facts are pretty amazing and might change you or someone you know. It's the 45-10-10 Principle:
45 - $0.45 is the current cost for a stamp
10 - 10 Minutes of time
10 - 10 Days of commitment
The articles theory is that you never know how one hand written note might change someones world. In this day and age of modern conveniences such as email, we've lost the personal connection with others. We shoot of constant texts and emails to one another, who ever takes the time to actually WRITE out a letter or note to someone they love? I want to challenge you to make this commitment for 10 days, for 10 minutes for the cost of $0.45 to connect with a friend you've been meaning to say hello to. I'll do it as well. I have two pen pals whom I know would love to hear from me. If you do take on this challenge, I'd love to hear about it. Feel free to leave me a comment about your experience.
There was a time (about 3-4 years ago) when I was working out consistently at the Y. Every Tuesday night they offered a class called Body Flow. It's a triad workout: Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates which built flexibility and strength. When I first started, I was clumsy, unbalanced and struggled with many of the holds (like now), but I eventually got it. My body started to change, adapt and soon I was rotating through the posses without any problems. I need to remember that. I always want to hit the ground running at peak level, but forget I have to work up to that.
This week hasn't been easy, but I've been shocked and slightly amazed that I've actually been able to wake up early all week. After the workout is finished and Mr. Bendy goes off to work, I'm left here to write for about an hour or so. I love the quiet of the morning to think and pray and write. It gets my creative juices flowing. Even if I'm only writing about my workout, everything else will come. Being the Active Ingredient last year was a lot of fun, but my passion for writing and taking pictures got put on the back burner. Which is fine, but I've missed that aspect of what makes me me. I'm excited to see what opportunities God brings in this new year as I learn what it means to Create Something Beautiful.
Oh, which reminds me, I've been wanting to share with you something I read recently while waiting for Jason at his work. It was actually in a fire sprinkler magazine, but the source is irrelevant. The facts are pretty amazing and might change you or someone you know. It's the 45-10-10 Principle:
45 - $0.45 is the current cost for a stamp
10 - 10 Minutes of time
10 - 10 Days of commitment
The articles theory is that you never know how one hand written note might change someones world. In this day and age of modern conveniences such as email, we've lost the personal connection with others. We shoot of constant texts and emails to one another, who ever takes the time to actually WRITE out a letter or note to someone they love? I want to challenge you to make this commitment for 10 days, for 10 minutes for the cost of $0.45 to connect with a friend you've been meaning to say hello to. I'll do it as well. I have two pen pals whom I know would love to hear from me. If you do take on this challenge, I'd love to hear about it. Feel free to leave me a comment about your experience.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Day One
I've been on a weight loss journey pretty much since the day I was born. Of course, as a baby a little pudge is cute. Any other age, not so much. I've struggled with being self conscious and how I view myself for as long as I can remember. I've been teased and made fun of which makes me wonder how I would be different if there weren't mean kids out there. But that's neither here nor there.
I tend to take on and tackle new projects as if I'm in it for the long haul, but weeks, sometimes days into it I find that it's too hard or quit all together. I'm not proud of this, but I wanted to share a little back story.
Fast forward to present day. I am not happy with what I see in the mirror. Even though my precious boyfriend loves me for who I am, not what I look like or what he wants me to look like. In fact, as long as I'm happy, he doesn't care what I look like. But until I'm happy and will be OK with the girl I see in the mirror, I'll never truly be happy.
There's a skinny girl deep down inside me. I know because I'm always shocked to see what I really look like in pictures. Crazily enough, I see myself different, though I'm still sad. So, OK, what's a girl gotta do to change this? Apparently something drastic.
Anyone who knows and loves me knows that I l-o-v-e sleep and love to sleep in, so in the past when friends would suggest I wake up early to get a work out in, never really crossed my mind...... until yesterday. Jason and I were having lunch at Moe's (Welcome to Moe's!!) when we were talking about working out and such. He offhandedly suggested we could get in a good workout before work, but.... it would have to be at 5AM!! (Nearly TWO hours earlier than I'm used to waking up.) Oy!
We used to work out together after work, but one thing led to another and the next thing you know, we're excusing our way out of working out. Honestly, a gym is so boring and monotonous and for a recovering A.D.D. girl, I needed more. I need more.
My girlfriend in ATL has been working out with this new program called Turbo Fire. She's had AMAZING results over the past eight weeks which leads me to believe there's hope for me! I've already been thinking about buying something like ZUMBA; which looks amazingly fun. My theory is, if you're having fun while working out, you don't realize it's hard work, because you're having so much fun.
After talking it over some of the different options with Jason and after I got over the shock of potentially waking up before 5am to work out, I started to seriously consider this plan. He said, "If you commit to waking up early every morning for a week or two, then we'll both know you're serious about making a change. Besides, half the challenge for the first week is simply waking up!" (My paraphrasing)
He just looked at me over lunch and said, "Who is this girl to even consider this?" I'm willing to give it a try... plus, I get to see my love every morning and work out with him as well. Seems like a fair trade off. Fast forward to this morning at 4:57AM when I get a text from Jason, "Are you up yet?" Did he seriously think I'd be awake before 5am? :) To my credit, I rolled out of bed, got dressed and then snuggled back under my still warm covers waiting for him to officially arrive.
We got started about 5:15 and worked out with Bob Harper from the Biggest Loser. Yoga at 5 in the morning is both perfect and extremely hard. We sweated, grunted, complained (me), stretched, did a few push ups and many different yoga posses that has me sore tonight. I even lost my balance...twice...and fell over, but I got back up and continued. I was so proud of myself! I AM so proud of myself.
I feel like this time it's different. I feel like the change will stick this time. I'm ready to do this for me, for my health, for my future. Last year, God taught me all about being the Active Ingredient (which is why you didn't hear from me much), but this year's theme is: Create Something Beautiful. I do believe I'm the something that's going to be even more beautiful than I already am. My hope is to daily blog and write more about my journey.
I'm Proud of Myself Today Because... I actually got up at 5AM and worked out!
Today's Accomplishment: no Subway cookies and extra lettuce and spinach on sandwich
Tomorrow's Goals: drink more water; leave "can't" out of the workout
Now, I would love to write more, but alas 5AM come VERY early. My goal is to be asleep before 10pm. I don't think that will be very difficult. I'm v-e-r-y sleepy and about to pass out.
Happy Trails, my friends.
I tend to take on and tackle new projects as if I'm in it for the long haul, but weeks, sometimes days into it I find that it's too hard or quit all together. I'm not proud of this, but I wanted to share a little back story.
Fast forward to present day. I am not happy with what I see in the mirror. Even though my precious boyfriend loves me for who I am, not what I look like or what he wants me to look like. In fact, as long as I'm happy, he doesn't care what I look like. But until I'm happy and will be OK with the girl I see in the mirror, I'll never truly be happy.
There's a skinny girl deep down inside me. I know because I'm always shocked to see what I really look like in pictures. Crazily enough, I see myself different, though I'm still sad. So, OK, what's a girl gotta do to change this? Apparently something drastic.
Anyone who knows and loves me knows that I l-o-v-e sleep and love to sleep in, so in the past when friends would suggest I wake up early to get a work out in, never really crossed my mind...... until yesterday. Jason and I were having lunch at Moe's (Welcome to Moe's!!) when we were talking about working out and such. He offhandedly suggested we could get in a good workout before work, but.... it would have to be at 5AM!! (Nearly TWO hours earlier than I'm used to waking up.) Oy!
We used to work out together after work, but one thing led to another and the next thing you know, we're excusing our way out of working out. Honestly, a gym is so boring and monotonous and for a recovering A.D.D. girl, I needed more. I need more.
My girlfriend in ATL has been working out with this new program called Turbo Fire. She's had AMAZING results over the past eight weeks which leads me to believe there's hope for me! I've already been thinking about buying something like ZUMBA; which looks amazingly fun. My theory is, if you're having fun while working out, you don't realize it's hard work, because you're having so much fun.
After talking it over some of the different options with Jason and after I got over the shock of potentially waking up before 5am to work out, I started to seriously consider this plan. He said, "If you commit to waking up early every morning for a week or two, then we'll both know you're serious about making a change. Besides, half the challenge for the first week is simply waking up!" (My paraphrasing)
He just looked at me over lunch and said, "Who is this girl to even consider this?" I'm willing to give it a try... plus, I get to see my love every morning and work out with him as well. Seems like a fair trade off. Fast forward to this morning at 4:57AM when I get a text from Jason, "Are you up yet?" Did he seriously think I'd be awake before 5am? :) To my credit, I rolled out of bed, got dressed and then snuggled back under my still warm covers waiting for him to officially arrive.
We got started about 5:15 and worked out with Bob Harper from the Biggest Loser. Yoga at 5 in the morning is both perfect and extremely hard. We sweated, grunted, complained (me), stretched, did a few push ups and many different yoga posses that has me sore tonight. I even lost my balance...twice...and fell over, but I got back up and continued. I was so proud of myself! I AM so proud of myself.
I feel like this time it's different. I feel like the change will stick this time. I'm ready to do this for me, for my health, for my future. Last year, God taught me all about being the Active Ingredient (which is why you didn't hear from me much), but this year's theme is: Create Something Beautiful. I do believe I'm the something that's going to be even more beautiful than I already am. My hope is to daily blog and write more about my journey.
I'm Proud of Myself Today Because... I actually got up at 5AM and worked out!
Today's Accomplishment: no Subway cookies and extra lettuce and spinach on sandwich
Tomorrow's Goals: drink more water; leave "can't" out of the workout
Now, I would love to write more, but alas 5AM come VERY early. My goal is to be asleep before 10pm. I don't think that will be very difficult. I'm v-e-r-y sleepy and about to pass out.
Happy Trails, my friends.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Be the Active Ingredient
It all started on January 25, 2011 when JP and I went to get dinner at Smoothie King after working out. On the bottom of my receipt it said, "Be the Active Ingredient". It struck a cord within me and I knew one day it would turn into a blog post. (That's the thing about being a writer, I never know where my next inspiration will come from.) Little did I know, God would make me wait SIX months! I have no idea why, but everytime I went to write, I heard, "wait". So I did. It wasn't until this afternoon that He gave me the OK to write about it!
Let me explain what this little phrase has come to mean to me over the past six months!
When I first started doing some research about active ingredients, I wanted a simple definition, however that's not readily available. Try this one on for size: "Active ingredients are components in a drug which provide some pharmaceutical value, in contrast with the inactive ingredients, which act as carriers to make the drug easier for the body to process. The term “active ingredients” is also used in the pesticide industry to describe the active pesticides in a formulation. In both cases, these ingredients are literally “active,” performing a specific function upon application or ingestion."
Or in laymen's terms: When something or someone has been added to a certain situation, it/we have the potential for greatness. Or, at the very least, change. Ahh, change. I have a love/hate relationship with that word, but more on that another time.
Anyone has the potential to BE the active ingredient! It just takes a little extra effort on your part. Are you up for the challenge? If you'll remember our complicated definition from above, the last phrase is the most important, "active ingredients perform a specific function upon application." Let's talk more about that, shall we?
April 27, 2011, a day Alabama won't soon forget. JP and I had the pleasure of volunteering through Church of the Highlands that very next Saturday. We met at the Dream Center with our red SERVE t-shirts and were immediately sent within the community. They piled us in the van, heading for Pratt City. I have to say, first, I've never heard of Pratt City until we were there. And second, it was an extremely surreal experience. We had no real idea of what to expect. We didn't even know what the damage would be like. Let me just tell you, pictures do not do it justice.
There were two major active ingredients within the volunteer efforts: our Highlands red tshirts and food. It was amazing! They were the secret keys to get us beyond the police barricade and into the front lines. "Oh, you're with Highlands? Come on through." or "Oh, you've got food for us, sure, come on through." It was like having a "Golden Ticket".
Once we got into the main part of Pratt City, it looked like a bomb had gone off. We all just stopped and looked around. Twisted metal. Tree stumps as far as you could see. Houses either completely gone or in complete ruin. We even saw a matress speared through a remaing branch on a remaining tree. I know you've all seen pictures by now, but until you've actually been there. Met the people who's lives have changed forever. Talked with the kids who are trying to act like it's a normal day. Served food to families with only the clothes on their backs... you'll just never understand.
I don't say any of this to brag on anything great JP and I did. There were COUNTLESS volunteers that day. We met a lot of great people, all with hearts of service. I would say that's another active ingredient: a heart of service. Once we got our feet in the door, then it was up to us how to serve using the strengths God gave us.
At one point, we (about 15 of us total - 3 in the cab, the rest in the back) all piled into JP's pickup, went further into the community and delivered tons and tons and tons of water. What a site we must have been! I remember starting to cry at first... the devestation...was unreal! Even now, I have a mind's eye view and my eyes fill with tears. I felt so helpless. What could I do to help these people? I decided right there and then, I would do whatever it took. I would get out of my comfort zone and love on strangers. I met a lot of amazing strangers that day. I pray they are doing OK.
Since then, I've realized that anything can be a catalyst to cause an active ingredient explosion in any given situation! You never know the potential impact you might have in someone's life. For instance, I tweeted/Facebooked where JP and I were and that Pratt City needed more volunteers. Later in the day, we went back to the Highlands Command Center (where all the military, police and utility workers came for food and drink) and my friend Mandy was there. She said she read
on FB what I said and she and her husband came to volunteer. My decision to ask for help (something I've also been learning this year) resulted in two more amazing volunteers.
My examples go on and on, but the point I'm trying to get across to you is that it doesn't take Super Man to be the active ingredient in someone's world! Everyone has the chance every single day to make a difference! Whether it's making conversation with the grumpy clerk at Walmart or Publix, trying to illlicit a smile from them. Or allowing someone in on the road, even though they cut you off a few miles back and you're still steaming about it. Go on, let them over. Or if someone let you over, wave at the person to tell them thanks. So many examples!
My challenge to you, dear friends, be the active ingredient in your world of influence! You never know how your own decision might affect someone's life.. for eternity!! Wow, what a responsibility. Remind yourself daily. I still have my Smoothie King receipt in my wallet. Each time I open it, I'm reminded of the lesson God's been teaching me.
"Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. - Napoleon Hill"
Let me explain what this little phrase has come to mean to me over the past six months!
When I first started doing some research about active ingredients, I wanted a simple definition, however that's not readily available. Try this one on for size: "Active ingredients are components in a drug which provide some pharmaceutical value, in contrast with the inactive ingredients, which act as carriers to make the drug easier for the body to process. The term “active ingredients” is also used in the pesticide industry to describe the active pesticides in a formulation. In both cases, these ingredients are literally “active,” performing a specific function upon application or ingestion."
Or in laymen's terms: When something or someone has been added to a certain situation, it/we have the potential for greatness. Or, at the very least, change. Ahh, change. I have a love/hate relationship with that word, but more on that another time.
Anyone has the potential to BE the active ingredient! It just takes a little extra effort on your part. Are you up for the challenge? If you'll remember our complicated definition from above, the last phrase is the most important, "active ingredients perform a specific function upon application." Let's talk more about that, shall we?
April 27, 2011, a day Alabama won't soon forget. JP and I had the pleasure of volunteering through Church of the Highlands that very next Saturday. We met at the Dream Center with our red SERVE t-shirts and were immediately sent within the community. They piled us in the van, heading for Pratt City. I have to say, first, I've never heard of Pratt City until we were there. And second, it was an extremely surreal experience. We had no real idea of what to expect. We didn't even know what the damage would be like. Let me just tell you, pictures do not do it justice.
There were two major active ingredients within the volunteer efforts: our Highlands red tshirts and food. It was amazing! They were the secret keys to get us beyond the police barricade and into the front lines. "Oh, you're with Highlands? Come on through." or "Oh, you've got food for us, sure, come on through." It was like having a "Golden Ticket".
Once we got into the main part of Pratt City, it looked like a bomb had gone off. We all just stopped and looked around. Twisted metal. Tree stumps as far as you could see. Houses either completely gone or in complete ruin. We even saw a matress speared through a remaing branch on a remaining tree. I know you've all seen pictures by now, but until you've actually been there. Met the people who's lives have changed forever. Talked with the kids who are trying to act like it's a normal day. Served food to families with only the clothes on their backs... you'll just never understand.
I don't say any of this to brag on anything great JP and I did. There were COUNTLESS volunteers that day. We met a lot of great people, all with hearts of service. I would say that's another active ingredient: a heart of service. Once we got our feet in the door, then it was up to us how to serve using the strengths God gave us.
At one point, we (about 15 of us total - 3 in the cab, the rest in the back) all piled into JP's pickup, went further into the community and delivered tons and tons and tons of water. What a site we must have been! I remember starting to cry at first... the devestation...was unreal! Even now, I have a mind's eye view and my eyes fill with tears. I felt so helpless. What could I do to help these people? I decided right there and then, I would do whatever it took. I would get out of my comfort zone and love on strangers. I met a lot of amazing strangers that day. I pray they are doing OK.
Since then, I've realized that anything can be a catalyst to cause an active ingredient explosion in any given situation! You never know the potential impact you might have in someone's life. For instance, I tweeted/Facebooked where JP and I were and that Pratt City needed more volunteers. Later in the day, we went back to the Highlands Command Center (where all the military, police and utility workers came for food and drink) and my friend Mandy was there. She said she read
on FB what I said and she and her husband came to volunteer. My decision to ask for help (something I've also been learning this year) resulted in two more amazing volunteers.
My examples go on and on, but the point I'm trying to get across to you is that it doesn't take Super Man to be the active ingredient in someone's world! Everyone has the chance every single day to make a difference! Whether it's making conversation with the grumpy clerk at Walmart or Publix, trying to illlicit a smile from them. Or allowing someone in on the road, even though they cut you off a few miles back and you're still steaming about it. Go on, let them over. Or if someone let you over, wave at the person to tell them thanks. So many examples!
My challenge to you, dear friends, be the active ingredient in your world of influence! You never know how your own decision might affect someone's life.. for eternity!! Wow, what a responsibility. Remind yourself daily. I still have my Smoothie King receipt in my wallet. Each time I open it, I'm reminded of the lesson God's been teaching me.
"Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. - Napoleon Hill"
Monday, August 31, 2009
Happy Anniversary!
I joined the YMCA exactly one year ago. In that time, I've:
HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO ME!
Here are before and after pictures thus far.... do you see a change? I certainly do!
- Spent 97 hours, 32 minutes and 20 seconds (approximately) pumping blood to and from my heart to the rest of my body (doing cardio)!!!
- Burned at least 66,000 calories
- Spent an average of 45 minutes in the cardio room
- And 30 minues lifting weights
- Lifted a at least 413,160 total pounds
- Completed at least 8,593 reps
- Routinely "run" (on the elliptical trainer) anywhere from 2.5 - 3.5 miles per session
- Logged nearly 30 hours, burned at least 9,000 calories and "ran" 117 miles!
- Experience one spin class. (I thought it was a beginners class but was actually an advanced class. It was all I could do to keep peddling, but I couldn't sit down for a week after!)
HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO ME!
Here are before and after pictures thus far.... do you see a change? I certainly do!
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