Wordless Wednesday - Happy Thanksgiving

YouTube Video Credit: coachingandgrowth

Motivational Monday – God’s Protection Plan

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Are you looking for a protection plan that you can trust? Check out the benefits of God’s protection plan.

·         He watches over you 24 hours/day, 7 days/week

·         Comes with an assurance plan – rest assured in the comfort of His loving arms; He will never leave you and always available to listen

·         The plan is FREE – His son (Jesus) paid the price long ago

·         No expiration date on this policy

·         Covers home, auto and life

If you have ever faced a life-challenging situation, you know there is a level of discomfort and uncertainty, maybe even anxiety over the unexpected. As a policy holder of God’s Protection Plan, you can still express joy. Your joy is not dependent on your circumstance because the joy of the Lord is your strength. You can rejoice through it all.

In a sermon, Pastor George W. Waddles, Jr. said, “Rejoice means, I can get through it even when I don’t feel like it.” We have a tendency to become anxious over things that might happen. The Bible tells us to be anxious for nothing. Figuratively speaking, when you have God’s Protection Plan, you have peace of mind.

You may be wondering how to obtain a protection plan. The answer is simple, build your faith foundation. Develop a habit of prayer and giving thanks for all that you have. Put your trust in your heavenly father and His guidance. God’s Protection Plan is free, it’s your choice whether or not to accept it.

Do you have a protection plan? Don’t get caught without assurance.

Fun Friday – Real Talk Real Challenges

Not a view from my window, but a calming picture none the less

Daylight had begun to peek through the blinds in my bedroom. Wrapped in my favorite purple fleece housecoat, I stood starring into my closet. What was I going to wear? What would fit, without a feeling of discomfort?

I decided to try on a dress I hadn’t worn in a long time. It didn’t take long to discover why the dress was in the back of the closet. As I pulled the dress on, my head popped through slowly like a turtle coming out of his shell. I wiggled and twisted with my arms near my chest like a T-Rex. Until finally, both arms made it through their perspective armholes.

The struggle was real. I was slapped with the reality that somehow excess baggage had attached itself to my body, in the form of extra, unwanted weight. My solution was to buckle down and address this issue. It was great timing that the ladies at the fitness studio where I workout, decided to participate in a 30 Day No Sugar Challenge. I joined the challenge.

Our task was to go without sugar or sugary food for 30 days. Sound simple? I started over, every couple of days in week one. Week two was a little better. However, I discovered that I needed to make a visit by the grocery store for healthy items to snack on.

My son stopped by our home for a visit and left a few items from a boxed lunch that he didn’t want. The unwanted items included a package of fruit snacks and a chocolate chip cookie, wrapped in clear plastic wrap. The chocolate chunk cookie sat on the kitchen counter staring at me for several days. Until finally, I was out of the smooth, natural peanut butter that I snack on. So, I ate the cookie.

I didn’t give up on the challenge. I kept working out, kept my focus on making healthy choices. Yet, I still had not made that trip to the grocery store. One night while watching Steve Harvey on the Family Feud, I wanted a snack as I watched “Somebody’s Family” go for the fast money. No healthy snacks around so I grabbed a couple of gummie multi-vitamins (which is one serving). Not enough, so I grabbed a couple more, and a couple more, until I had devoured six of those little squishy things. I hope one can’t overdose on gummie vitamins.

Daylight was replaced by moonlight, wrapped in my purple fleece housecoat, I had no worries about what to wear. Tomorrow would be a new day filled with new opportoneunities. It all else fails, my closet also holds stretch pants and leggings. I will survive. Real Talk. Real Challenges.

What challenges can you now laugh about?

Wellness Wednesday- Your Health Matters

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Photo Credit: Pinterest

YouTube Video Credit: Beautiful Planet Music

Motivational Monday – Thanksgiving a time for giving thanks

Photo Credit: Heartland Paper Company

Shopping carts filled with a turkey, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese and other delights, navigate the grocery store aisles. Christmas tunes blast through speakers. Folks are preparing for their Thanksgiving feast.

At home the table is set for guests – Uncle Joe, Grandma Cookie, Cousin Ann and a coral of kids. All are ready for family stories, fun, and fellowship. It’s a time for giving thanks. What are your Thanksgiving traditions and what are you thankful for?

Today I give thanks for family and the memories we create. When my sons were young, we’d visit my mom, watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade, then watch my grandfather fall asleep, sitting on the couch after dinner.

Thanksgiving Day has traditionally been the start of mom and me watching Holiday movies. We began with the movie Imitation of Life, moved on to Miracle on 34^th Street, and then watched a series of others. My favorites today include anything on the Hallmark Channel.

There are so many things to be thankful that the list can go on and on. As you prepare for Thanksgiving this year, be sure to give thanks for things large and small. Is there something that you can do to spread Thanksgiving joy to someone else?

Feel Good Friday - How do you prepare for a doctors visit?

Photo Credit:  Queensland Health

The alarm sounds, eyes shut tight, I feel for the location of the sound and hit snooze, one, two, more times. I sit up erect on the edge of the bed still refusing to let go of a peaceful slumber. Time to prepare for the day.

Are you doing things that are in the best interest of your health? Are you prepared for your next doctor's visit? Quite often there are things we "meant" to do before the next doctor's visit. I "meant" to lose a couple of pounds. Since that didn't happen for me, I prepared for my visit very creatively.

As I searched through my closet for something to wear, I tossed jeans aside for stretch pants. No heave sweater for me, I grabbed a short-sleeve breathable shirt. My goal was to dress in lightweight clothing that wouldn't add weight to the scale at the doctor's office. Mission accomplished.

Along this journey called healthy living, I have learned to take deliberate steps toward being aware of what is going on with my body. You know, your doctor will ask, "When did you first notice 'X' happening? How long have you been experiencing 'Y'?"

Here are a few suggested ways to prepare for a doctor's visit:

1.  If you are having health concerns track them in a notebook - Perhaps you've experienced frequent headaches. Make note of when they occur - is it after eating certain foods? Do they occur at a particular time of day? etc.

2.  Create a game plan - if your doctor has recommended changes to your health, create a plan for how you will begin that process. Take baby steps, change one thing at a time.

3. Eat healthy and exercise - whatever this means to you...do it. Start somewhere.

What would you had to ways to prepare for a doctor's visit? You do not have to select the thinnest wardrobe like I did. Nor do you have to stand in a yoga pose on the doctor's scale with one foot on and the other leg extended outward.

Schedule regular doctor's visits and make your health a priority.

Wordless Wednesday - Live, Love, Laugh

If you can't laugh at yourself...

Recipe for a good day...

Mix with funny stories
Stir in laughter
Blend until belly laughs occur
Share with a friend

Motivational Monday – Spiritual Toolkit

Photo Credit: Tony Evans

“Ma my tuition is due, the school said we can start a payment plan with $750.00. You can also sign up for a Parent Plus loan. I still need to buy books too.”

When life situations cause you to feel overwhelmed, what do you do? You need to have a Spiritual Tool Kit on hand. Your Spiritual Toolkit should contain tools that will aide you in difficult situations.

Things that may be in your tool kit…

Prayer

                        Faith

                                    Forgiveness

If there is something in your life that you want to fix, don’t keep your tool kit stored away. Use the tools so they don’t get rusty. Take your situation to the Lord in prayer. A change is going to come.

Called Magazine posted this prayer, I hope that it will give you renewed inspiration where you seek it.

Dear Lord,

Help me see the good in all circumstances. Give me the ability to turn lemons into sweet lemonade and disappointments into opportunities.

In Jesus Name, Amen

You may be dealing with financial struggles, health problems, kids, or other situations that distract you from experiencing the best that God has for you. Keep that Spiritual Toolkit nearby. Keep the faith. Keep having joy, no matter what comes your way.

YouTube Video: The Fugees - A Change is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke)

I don't own the rights to this music

Wordless Wednesday - National Stress Awareness Day

National Stress Awareness Day is celebrated on November 6th. Everyone experiences stress at some point. The way you manage stress makes all the difference. Check out the fun video below on stress management techniques.

YouTube Video Credit:Karyn Buxman