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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Lies I Believe

"Failure deserves to be punished."  This lie can result in criticism, judgments, fear of failure, procrastination, unwillingness, to take risks, the fear of punishment (Taken from Be Transformed: Discovering Biblical Solutions to Life's Problems).

When I don't live up to my own expectations, I feel like I have failed.  I hate failure, but feel like I do it all the time.  I believe that I have bought into the lie that failure should be punished, and I do experience many of those results mentioned above.  I dislike failure so much that I play it safe out of fear.  When I do fail, I tend to avoid dealing with it.  I give up until I am motivated enough to change.

My 21 day routine challenge has not gone the way I have planned, but I am more aware of my routines.  I know that making my lunch the night before and having my uniform clean and ready makes my morning routine go a whole lot more smoothly.  I guarantee you that I have had to learn that the hard way sometimes.  

It is time for me to exchange the lie about failure for the truth.  Failure is a learning opportunity.  Failure is where we grow.  If you can't make mistakes, you can't make anything.  We must turn to the One that never fails in order to experience true freedom in failure.  Jesus bridged the gap between failure and freedom.  On our own, we can never truly be free.  In our failure, we realize our need and must be willing to trust Him and be set free.

"...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free...Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
~John 8:31-32, 34-36
Believe,


Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Keep on Keeping On


Progress not Perfection
My 21 day AM and PM routine challenge has commenced.  I have not been totally consistent, but I have recorded my progress.  My consistency will improve.  I am a doer now.  I don't want to be just a hearer.  I love being organized, to a fault sometimes.  I like planning what I need to do (cute notepads and all), but I don't seem to have efficient follow through,  I am a work in progress.
It's now day 4 of the challenge.  My bed is made, and I am about to get my exercise on. Let's do this.
Believe,





Friday, December 4, 2015

Thank God for Another Day

Routine tracker I use ~ from Scattered Squirrel
I feel like everything has fallen apart since posting my story.  I want be held accountable, but I still make poor choices.  I have an AM and PM routine that I begin to implement and a few days to a week in I get lazy.  I have noticed how my PM routine prepares me for my AM routine like making my lunch, doing laundry (and folding it) the night before.  It helps my mornings run so smoothly.

SO I am committing to a Routine Challenge for the next 21 days.  I will complete my AM and PM routine everyday for 21 days and report my results.  I am learning to be a doer and not just a planner.  I can plan, but often I fail to implement my plan consistently. I then wallow in self-pity for failing, and give up.  No more giving up.  I "plan" to ACT.

For God's Glory,

Monday, November 30, 2015

A Time of Thanks

I spent my Thanksgiving with family.  It was an amazing time of fellowship with aunts, uncles, and cousins. We talked; we ate; we talked and ate some more.  That's how my vacations go these days. 

I did get a bit carried away with my eating,  but I am back on track now.  I had shakes for breakfast each day.  I shared my shakes the last day with family.  Herbalife makes my life so much easier when I actually do the program faithfully.  I let my exercise slide too over the holiday, but I have renewed my commitment to see this through to my -100 pound party.

Sunday
I had 2 shakes today, a chicken flatbread wrap/sandwich and a cup of red pepper and gouda soup, and an apple with peanut butter.  I did not pack snacks with me today, so that threw me off a bit.

Monday (Today)
I was slow going out of bed, but I have now accomplished my daily quiet time with God (personal development), a 10 minute Samantha Clayton workout, and I am about to make my Reeses shake for breakfast.



I also finished a book yesterday.  It was a girly fiction book, but it was still a book.  Why is fiction so much easier to read than non-fiction?  Anyways, I am halfway through Grace for the Good Girl.  It captures my life to a T.  God has shown me so much, and I look forward to the lessons I still need to learn.  That's it for now.
For the Glory of God,



Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Failed...

My Morning routine
You just shared your results and determined to document your journey, sounded through my mind.  The guilt of giving in to pizza the night before was gnawing at me.  Then suddenly right after that thought, I hear, "There's a war between guilt and grace..." float through the speakers. "And they're fighting for a sacred space/But I'm living proof Grace wins every time.  I whisper a prayer of thanks, and forgive myself.

I am so grateful that God's grace forgives my many failures.  I do realize that this is NOT a license to choose whatever I want and ask for forgiveness later.  Monday was an excellent day up until my cheat meal of four delicious (at the time) slices of pizza.
Shake Prep for Thanksgiving

Tuesday was an awesome day.  I had my shakes.  I turned down pasta and garlic bread at a staff meeting at work, and came home and made an amazing egg and veggie skillet meal for dinner.

My morning routines are getting better allowing me to be more efficient with my time.  I am about to head out for Thanksgiving with aunts, uncles, and cousins.  I have packed my shakes, and plan to not overdo it on Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is one day.  Have a happy one and be truly grateful.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Application

"Ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice."

It is time to change.  I need to work harder on myself.  I need to become the person that I want to attract.  I need to act.  I have dreams, and I want them to come true.  If I do nothing, nothing will happen.  It is time for me to put action to the knowledge that I have gained over the course of my life.  I know but don't do. My primary focus is getting to my 100 pound party.  It has been a long time coming.  I will post my action steps toward that goal and the many other goals I have.  It is time for me to be transformed and to follow my heart and not my head according to the will of God.  I am looking forward to the next steps in my journey to wellness and whole living, and I give glory to God for all that He has done and is going to do.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Fighting Well

I had the privilege to watch an amazing movie entitled War Room this weekend.  This movie had me in tears of conviction within the few opening minutes.  I learned that many people today know how to fight but not well, not with strategy.  As a Christian, I need to find my own personal "war room" (a quiet place to pray), a place to engage in the spiritual battle against Satan and his workers of darkness.  I have to allow God to fight for me.  I must surrender control and pray allowing God to do His work in and through me.  I pray that I apply this message to my life. I also pray that many others that see this movie will be spurred to action.  I pray that a mighty army of prayer warriors will arise and stand up for Christ and share Him with others.  I have been convicted to put aside distractions as well.  I have disconnected from social media at the moment, and I plan to distance myself from spending time in front of the TV and computer.  I still plan on going after my goals of good health, reading more, learning Spanish, and writing.  I may resort to recording my journey in my journal rather than my blog.  I will touch base when I can, but as of right now I am taking a break from media and the distractions they tend to bring.  Please pray that I become the prayer warrior God wants me to be.  I highly encourage you to go watch War Room.  It will change your life if you let it.

For the Glory of God,

Saturday, August 29, 2015

The Little Things

The little things do add up.  I started the day with a war with the snooze button yet again.  This time it won.  I got up and ditched my workout.  I headed to work and the first thing I hear from the audio book I've been listening to is that we need to glorify God through daily exercise and good nutrition.  God can use us best when we are physically fit and rested.  "Thanks, Lord," I prayed with acknowledgement and a bit of sarcasm.  I also gave into a few bits of chocolate and drank my calories with some lemonade at a luncheon at lunch. I had 73 calories left for dinner :(
-100 pound party
Logged my food
Drank SOME water-32+ ounces
Ditched my AM workout but burned a few calories bowling for about 30 minutes on my lunch break
Reading
I finished Laboring in the Harvest on my commute home.  It was a very powerful book about becoming a laborer for Jesus Christ and reaching everyone with the good news of Jesus,  I did not get around to reading my written books.
Spanish and Writing
I didn't get around to either.
I did, however; clear out some teacher stuff in my room.  I also created a cute "ziploc bag windw" to display artwork in my classroom :)
I will get there.  One step at a time.

 For the Glory of God,



Friday, August 28, 2015

Weeding out Distractions

Today went pretty well in regards to my health goals.  I got up (after hitting the snooze twice...oops) and did a few Revelation Wellness videos,   I had my cinnamon roll shake with a dash of Mexican vanilla as I hurried out the door for work.
-100lb party
Logged my food, check; water, at least 50 ounces (when you count pineapple coconut water); and exercise, check.  I stress ate a fair share of animal crackers.  I had planned to have a shake for dinner but came home to a healthy dinner of chicken, broccoli and rice.  I had to control my portions or I would have overdone it.
Reading
I completed disc 2 of Laboring in the Harvest.  Audio books are definitely the way to go especially in the car.  I spend a significant amount of time in my car, so I will listen to my Bible app and now books.  This book has been very convicting as to what a true laborer for God's kingdom really is and what they do.
Spanish and Writing
I made no time for practicing my Spanish or writing.

Distractions are what zaps me of precious time.  I tried to tell myself that watching a movie and preparing for work at the same time would be efficient.  That's a lie.  I got only a portion of what I wanted to accomplish completed.  I catch myself spending a few minutes which end up turning into hours mindlessly scrolling through social media or getting TV hypnotized rather than carving out even just 10 to 15 minutes to read, write or practice Spanish.  It is time for me to schedule these activities and take advantage of the windows of time that seem to disappear without a second glance to reach my goals.

This week I was given a one and a half hour lunch break.  That gives me more than enough time to eat.  I need to use this time wisely rather than let it slip by.  I have more than enough things such as reading or exercise that I can accomplish during this time. I can also prep for work at work rather than take it home with me.

It is time to weed out the distractions, get close to God, and allow Him to work in and through me to accomplish my goals.

For the Glory of God,

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

The Snooze

The Snooze button is one of my all time foes.  I set it several minutes ahead in order to actually accomplish things like exercise and my supposed to be daily quiet time.  About 9 times out of 10, I eat up those precious minutes with one more push of the button.  The time I allowed for exercise slips away as I grab just a few more minutes of sleep.
Today, I pushed it once instead of multiple times.  I also barked a not so happy explanation to my daddy as to why I was up so "early" (5:20am to be exact) because I indeed did not want to get up.  I did complete about 15 minutes of cardio. Yay!  That is progress.
-100 pounds party
Exercise, check.  Food logged, check, Water, Check
I logged my calories and went over about 200 due in part to that darn bread on my Subway sandwich. I made my water quota as I chugged the last bit of my 2nd liter of water on my commute home after playing volleyball at church.
Reading
I listened in the car to an amazing book entitled Laboring in the Harvest.  I have completed disc 1 of 3.  This book is powerful and cuts to the quick and quickly.  As for reading my hard copies, I did not successfully read 1 or 2 chapters.
Spanish
I did bring my computer to work with my Rosetta Stone on it and accessed it but did not complete any lessons.  I plan to find a comfy spot where I can do the speaking parts without looking crazy.
Writing
No attempt on that front today.
I look forward to what tomorrow brings.  It is time to establish good routines that will stick with me throughout my life.  When I reach a goal.  I can't resort back to my previous patterns or all of my hard work will be wiped away.
For the Glory of God,

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Dreams turned Accomplishments (Documenting the Journey)

I KNOW many different things.  I have great ideas about how things should go in life (read my other posts).  The downside to all of this wonderful knowledge is that it has STAYED knowledge.  I have not successfully applied it to my life.  Check out this post Consistent Consistency.  I have thoroughly outlined my dreams and the steps to follow to turn them into accomplishments.  Have I done them?  That would be a big fat NO!  I have not applied action to my dreams.  In April of this year, I was evidently painfully aware of my lack of action that I had to blog about it in Actions Speak Louder than Words.
I did finally begin to act in May.  I decided to get to my -100 pound party.  I was 15 pounds away.  I  I worked hard for two months and was three pounds away from my goal, when I hit a major obstacle.  I went on a trip and most of the hard work that I had accomplished vanished in one week, seven days, a fraction of what it took to get to my goal.  I was devastated and I haven't quite recovered.
Long story short, it is time for me to actually act upon the knowledge that is within me and that has been so eloquently expressed in this blog.
I have been thinking, and I have decided to log my progress.  I want to turn my dreams into goals and my goals into accomplishments.  
My current goals and my daily action steps are as follows:
1.  -100 pound party-deadline September 30th (15 pounds to go)
           -Track my food on Sparkpeople.com
           -Drink 64+ ounces of water
           -Exercise 10+ minutes daily
2. Read 1 book per week
           -Read 1-2 chapters
3. Practice Rosetta Stone Spanish for 1 to 2 hours per week
           -Practice for 15-20 minutes
4. Write my personal history for 30 minutes to 1 hour per week
           -Write for 10-15 minutes
I plan to post my progress, positive or negative, each day as I transform my dreams into accomplishments.

Today was not the best day toward my -100 party.  I hit the snooze twice and had no desire to exercise, so I took a shower instead and readied myself for work.  I did pick up my Herbalife order today at lunch and grabbed a shake and tea, so that was good.  After work, I ate an a apple and protein bar on the way home.  Dinner did me in.  I don't even want to talk about it.  As I ate a not so very healthy dinner, I decided to keep munching.  I definitely hit, grand-slammed, my calories for today.  I knew this, and therefore; I did not even log it in Spark.  I drank a measely 32 ounces of water from Sonic with Sunshine Berry (strawberries and lemons with peach flavoring).  Tomorrow I will definitely kick it in to high gear.  
As for reading, I have discovered audio CDs and am in love.  I listened to an entire book that would have taken me a week or month or even year to read in 3.5 hours in the car on my commute to and from work or whenever I happened to be in the car.  So technically, I have "read" a book this week.  I have started 2 books that are supposed to be finished by now.  I haven't read today, but I plan to after I publish this post.
I haven't practiced Spanish for several weeks, I will do so beginning tomorrow. The same goes for writing my personal history.
This is my time to act, and I plan to document my progress for grins and giggles and maybe just maybe to encourage someone else to go and make their own dreams come true.  

For God's Glory,


Monday, April 20, 2015

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

It is time for me to act.  I am a words person and love to write and reflect on things in my life, but that is about how far I get.  I KNOW what to do, BUT I don't DO it.

This is my time to act upon what I know. It's go time.

For His Glory,

Amanda