Feeling the Burn in 2016

Joey & Rory Feek ~ Turning Toward the Light

January 6, 2016
Wednesday

Dear Readers,

Happy New Year from my blogging station in North Central Texas! It's looking mighty cold outside today and I've heard mention of some possible snow flurries as temperatures drop in the days ahead. Wouldn't that be just perfect? I always like that first blanket of snow and it's purity. Today, the rain is coming.

It's a great day to stay inside. I got lots of books for Christmas and, of course, I have my adult coloring books! My fireplace is back in working order plus my furry kids love to cuddle keeping me nice and warm.

Come on in and sit with me by the fire while we chat. It's been awhile since we've gotten together.

I have been praying about where to take my blog in 2016 and, wouldn't you know, this morning when I was reading the latest news on the condition of Joey Feek, it hit me. This year of 2016, I want to be continuing to turn towards the light in ALL areas of my life. It's hard to face truth and light ~ at least it is for me (the proverbial optimist) if truth and light uncovers darkness.

It was a morning in December 2015, that I looked at my naked body in the mirror and nearly threw up. Who in the world was that woman before me? When I worked as a director for Jenny Craig, I called a moment like that the "aha moment." For some, it's looking at a photo of oneself; but, for me, the truth came through a looking glass. (Sigh)

Journey towards the light: Physical Truth

Most people wait until January 1 to begin diets and exercise programs ... not me. I had let myself indulge in too many ice cream sundaes topped with peanuts, banana, and chocolate/caramel. My thyroid had been out of whack and, now that it was in line, I knew that day was my day to STOP and turn towards the light. I dug out my Leslie Sansone aerobic walking tape and began my journey to a better body. I've been faithful to (as Nike says) JUST DO IT. I'm cutting down on sugar yet enjoying everything in moderation. If I want a sundae, I make the commitment to double up on my exercise. I do an 18 minute mile so no excuses that I don't have time...

"She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong."~Proverbs 31:17 (ESV)

For a petite lady I have always been strong and have enjoyed being fit. I challenged myself in my 40's to take up weight lifting and Joyce Vedral became my guru. I didn't realize that one could sculpt the body and I learned so much about perserverance, the burn that came with repetition, and the satisfaction in a very short time.

I had a lady that I worked with that joined me in my quest to fitness. Her motivation was taking a photo of her butt (titling it Buffalo Butt) and tacking it to her refrigerator door. She also had another photo of what she wanted her butt to look like calling it Bambi Butt. For me, I wrote motivational saying everywhere ... on my bathroom mirror, in my car, in my office, and even would tack them on my purse.

Remembering this has fueled me to return to weights/aerobic walking and see what I can do with my 60+ old body. That may sound wierd but I think I can make lots of progress. With all my neck/back issues and surgeries, it's important to keep my core strong.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

~Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

It's so important to keep going forward even when you feel like giving up because your results aren't coming as fast as you'd life. For that reason, I don't weigh myself. The mirror didn't lie last December and the mirror (and how my clothes fit) will tell me the real truth.

My very first blog in October 2010 was titled, Don't You Quit and I'd like to end today's blog with that little poem:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to sile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit-

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a fellow turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow-

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor's cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out-

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It might be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardes hit-

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Miss Dottie

PS  "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." ~1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Always remember how much you are loved

 and prayed for ... YOU matter!!