This week as I was struggling with my emotional mindset, I asked God for some serious and immediate help. He graciously sent me a couple of very dear friends to “accidently” cross my path exactly when I needed them. As I was “bawling” through my 2nd box of klennex (as Keith Moore would say in his wonderful series about living with Thanksgiving), my friends listened and then very gently gave me some words of wisdom from the struggles they have come through in their lives and some wonderful words of encouragement. It wasn’t instant, but through the next few hours and couple of days, I began to embrace their advice and confirmations of what is important in my life and that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I need to do at this point in time. I was able to come to peace with what I can do and what I have to leave with God (that Serenity Prayer helps me immensely, especially with some help from my trusted friends on the outside looking in).
To help maneuver through the “eating” part of our lives, times we’re together to celebrate the holidays, and through every day stress, this week we will:
Recognize that when you know you don’t have to “restrict” yourself from eating anything that you love or is not as healthy, it is easier to make a conscious choice of which food you can and will eat.
Remember to choose a smaller portion and chew slowly to really enjoy it.
Putting your fork or spoon down between bites and taking longer to eat will reduce the amount of food you eat (especially if in a setting where you are eating at the table with others and finishing at the same time).
My dear friend also reminded me how much it helps when I do the “exercises and stretches” that always help me to feel better both mentally and emotionally. So I looked at my schedule and am putting them in my calendar.
What makes you feel better? A walk outside, an exercise DVD, some Yoga or stretching, a game of basketball with a friend or just shooting some baskets or a walk through the mall while taking time to enjoy this day. Find something that gets you up and moving, even if it’s during the TV commercials on the program you are watching.
Then in the evening, make sure you’re getting enough rest so you won’t have the ‘grumpies’ in the morning!
I am so grateful for my dear friends that God has given me to share this journey in life!
May you all find a way to bring some balance and peace in your chaos this week.
I Can Do This Lifestyle 