Yesterday, if you couldn't guess, was another 10 hour shift. Not only that, but yesterday was our (unannounced) State inspection. Awesome. Then a staff meeting. And by the last few hours of my day, I was just glad I was working with Trish. (See previous entry for a highlight of our work conversations... laughter abound.)
The luxury of not being married, not having kids, and working an unusual schedule gives me the opportunity to sleep as much as my body needs. 9 full hours. I'd love to be an 8 hours or less sort of person. I remember fondly the days when I could get by with 6 - or even 3. But working 40 hours a week and training for a marathon? I need more sleep than that. After a night of restful sleep (thank goodness!) I didn't really want to do anything. I especially didn't want to run. Because I am working full-time, my general thought process for my free time is something like this: "how much time do I have? should I go running? I know I should go running, so I don't die in __ weeks, but what about cleaning up ______? what about doing ______?" Good times, right?
Today I did not want to run, but knowing my work schedule was going to interfere with my training schedule next week I gathered up my clothes. I did not want to run. And then I put on, and laced, my running shoes. This is the first, and only, shoe that was actually picked out for me by a pronation expert. A shoe that is designed for running. And they feel amazing every time I put them on. The weather looked very, very suspect. I just hoped I wouldn't get completely soaked. I wasn't in the mood.
I have five weeks to go, four with quality training potential, until my race. I am beginning to feel a little beat up. This is as close as I have come to running a race "healthy." Of course, I still have five weeks to go... (Remember that I injured myself a mere 10 days before my first half-marathon? oh yes, plenty of time left to do something stupid.) Nevertheless, so far so good. My only complaints are sore ankles (anterior/dorsal tendons; both feet - minor concern) and sore shins (chronic anterior compartment syndrome [worst case scenario] and/or anterior tibial stress syndrome [best case scenario]; both legs, but worse in right leg - moderate concern.) I've really been trying to baby my legs. Menthol massages galore. Yesterday my new KT tape (hot pink) came in the mail! Of course I couldn't wait to tape myself up!
[If you're injury prone and haven't tried kinesio tape I HIGHLY recommend it. It seems expensive, but you wear it for multiple days. The brand I've used in the past would stay on for 3 days. This brand says it will stay on up to 5 - I'll let you know if that is true in a few days. A few tips: I always shave and exfoliate well prior to putting on the tape - I've never even bothered shaving once its on so I'm extra thorough before hand. (yes guys, that means you too) Wipe your leg (or whatever body part) with rubbing alcohol immediately before you are ready to tape. This eliminates oils, or lotions, on your skin that could interfere with the adhesive. The adhesive is activated by the heat from your skin, so make sure you don't touch the sticky side of the tape with your fingers! That will compromise it sticking to the area your treating. When it is in place how you want it, you rub the tape very quickly to increase the amount of heat in the area so the adhesive can set.]
I taped myself last night before bed - that's my usual preference. Kinesio tape increases blood circulation to the area, so I put it on at night so while I'm sleeping my body is hopefully getting some extra relief. I cannot convey how much this tape saves me in the long run! I went running on Monday. I was in so much pain with my anterior tibialis on my right leg, I had a rough time finishing 5K (3.1 miles.) With the tape on, I completed 5.3 miles with only minor discomfort. It truly makes all the difference!
So I've hit the halfway mark: 5 weeks down, 5 more to go. This is where the balancing act begins. Pushing myself enough to improve my endurance (and my health too) without pushing too hard and causing sickness or an injury. [Segue to future entry...]
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Humpday Humor
Trish: "How does stuff work? it looks too liquidy"
Me: "I don't know, maybe it's a non-Newtonian fluid"
Trish: "Did you just ask if it was a plutonium fluid???"
and then I laughed for five minutes straight
my life = priceless!
Me: "I don't know, maybe it's a non-Newtonian fluid"
Trish: "Did you just ask if it was a plutonium fluid???"
and then I laughed for five minutes straight
my life = priceless!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday Musings
Home from another day at work, and evening with the little man. Hot tea in hand, snacking on pecan divinity (southern memories) and Bill Withers (Ain't No Sunshine) on Pandora. bliss.
Recently, within the last month, I've instated what I call "Cell Free Sundays." I must confess, they aren't totally cellphone free, but for 5 or 6 hours on Sunday morning (and early afternoon) I am sans cellphone. So far, it's working out to be great. It's nice to unplug a bit. It let's me clear my head and think about things objectively. (Or as objectively as I can, being that it's my life.)
Recent dilemma:
Scenario: A likes C. B is obsessed with D. B has never met C, but critiques C because C isn't D.
Are you still with me?
What do you do when good intentions aren't good in practice? What if we've all got it all wrong? What does it mean to have true love? How many of us really have fake love?
In the summer of 2006 I remember sitting in my car with my best friend. I was debating dumping my boyfriend. She had been going through a rough patch with her boyfriend. She told me not to dump mine. I didn't understand why she stayed with hers. I did dump my boyfriend. She is getting ready to celebrate her one year anniversary of becoming his wife. While she wasn't right about my relationship, I wasn't right about hers either. Ever since I have tried to keep my opinions to myself, to be open minded about other people and their quest for love.
Ironically, the dilemma my best friend faced all those years ago is a dilemma I currently face. I finally understand why she stayed. Unfortunately, I have another best friend who shares the view I had all those years ago. Unfortunately she is far more vocal about it now than I was then. It would seem rational that since she is my best friend, and she loves me, that she would understand my perspective on love. Our different wants and needs in our relationships - because after all we are different people. To be honest, when it comes to her, I'm just not feeling the love...
I remember a few years ago, a male friend said that girls should settle. Of course any time you say that to a group of girls, they take it personally and begin to question your sanity. Now I'm beginning to understand what he meant. (Side note: John Lennon (Imagine) is on Pandora now... appropriate?) How many people end perfectly functional relationships because it just "isn't right" or because they found some devastating "flaw" they just cannot live with. How many of those decisions are made out of haste? Getting out of a relationship is easy. Staying - choosing to stay and fight for the relationship is hard. How can you be sure the person thinks that you are worth fighting for?
Maybe our problem is searching for love where it does not exist, and overlooking where it does. I can't say that is a risk I'm willing to take. I'm looking for love in the overlooked place, and its the best place I know. (And we've moved onto Heart (Alone) on Pandora)
“I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.”
Recently, within the last month, I've instated what I call "Cell Free Sundays." I must confess, they aren't totally cellphone free, but for 5 or 6 hours on Sunday morning (and early afternoon) I am sans cellphone. So far, it's working out to be great. It's nice to unplug a bit. It let's me clear my head and think about things objectively. (Or as objectively as I can, being that it's my life.)
Recent dilemma:
Scenario: A likes C. B is obsessed with D. B has never met C, but critiques C because C isn't D.
Are you still with me?
What do you do when good intentions aren't good in practice? What if we've all got it all wrong? What does it mean to have true love? How many of us really have fake love?
In the summer of 2006 I remember sitting in my car with my best friend. I was debating dumping my boyfriend. She had been going through a rough patch with her boyfriend. She told me not to dump mine. I didn't understand why she stayed with hers. I did dump my boyfriend. She is getting ready to celebrate her one year anniversary of becoming his wife. While she wasn't right about my relationship, I wasn't right about hers either. Ever since I have tried to keep my opinions to myself, to be open minded about other people and their quest for love.
Ironically, the dilemma my best friend faced all those years ago is a dilemma I currently face. I finally understand why she stayed. Unfortunately, I have another best friend who shares the view I had all those years ago. Unfortunately she is far more vocal about it now than I was then. It would seem rational that since she is my best friend, and she loves me, that she would understand my perspective on love. Our different wants and needs in our relationships - because after all we are different people. To be honest, when it comes to her, I'm just not feeling the love...
I remember a few years ago, a male friend said that girls should settle. Of course any time you say that to a group of girls, they take it personally and begin to question your sanity. Now I'm beginning to understand what he meant. (Side note: John Lennon (Imagine) is on Pandora now... appropriate?) How many people end perfectly functional relationships because it just "isn't right" or because they found some devastating "flaw" they just cannot live with. How many of those decisions are made out of haste? Getting out of a relationship is easy. Staying - choosing to stay and fight for the relationship is hard. How can you be sure the person thinks that you are worth fighting for?
Maybe our problem is searching for love where it does not exist, and overlooking where it does. I can't say that is a risk I'm willing to take. I'm looking for love in the overlooked place, and its the best place I know. (And we've moved onto Heart (Alone) on Pandora)
“I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.”
Friday, September 23, 2011
30 Day Challenge!!! Reflection
I realize September isn't over yet... but I've had three weeks and I feel like I have yet to accomplish anything on my to-do list. Here it is, in case you missed it:
This Septemer I would like to:
1. Not watch TV (or movies). Here are some reasons. Me? "If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got." - W.L. Bateman I don't know exactly what a life sans TV would mean, but I'm curious. Also, this doesn't mean I'm giving up TV forever. [TBD]
2. Not spend money. Aside from important things. You know, those things called bills. And maybe one trip to visit my best friend. Aside from that? Nada.
3. Realize that thing I need so badly, is something I really don't need...
4. Read more. Those things with pages? Some people call them books. I have a stack that are on my list. Got to check them off.
5. Connect with people more. In real life. Sans social media.
6. Take life's curve-balls in stride. Take a deep breath.
7. Laugh more.
I feel like I need to modify my list so that I will be less stressed and more successful in the process. So here's the modified list:
This Fall I would like to:
1. Limit TV and movies. The problem with TV is that I feel like I waste SO much time watching it. Since fall shows are back on the air, I've been thinking about what I really want to watch. There were actually only three shows that came to mind. If I actually limit myself to only watching shows that I consciously choose to watch, that will greatly reduce how much time I'm devoting to TV.
2. Not spend money. I haven't done as well as I would have liked in this department, but I haven't done tremendously awful either. I did analyze my spending habits, not counting student loan, the last three months though and that was scary. For the most part I have been good at packing meals and snacks for work, but if I'm feeling stressed I do give in and splurge. (Probably on the last food items that I need to be eating when I'm already stressed.) I definitely want to cut back on that. It's time to hide the credit card. And forget that I have a in-house account at work. That thing is too tempting...
3. Realize that thing I need "so badly", is something I really don't need... This goes for things I want to buy, and also things I already own. I still have a few piles that fall into the "90 day rule" (basically if you have a "maybe keep" item that you put in a corner/box/taped area and 90 days later it's still there, because you haven't used it, it goes into the trash or gets donated no questions asked. Just lose all the clutter. Less is more...
4. Read more. I still have my stack of books to read. Since I am limiting TV time (which also doubles as work/organizing time) to three, maybe four (max), nights a week, that leaves three nights open for reading. [Sunday nights are reserved for Bible Study and whatever shenanigans that entails.]
5. Connect with people more. In real life. Sans social media. Perks: one friend is home and another just relocated into town. Good times in store! :-)
6. Take life's curve-balls in stride. Take a deep breath. This is all temporal. I can only be my best. As good, or bad, as that may be - that's all I can do.
7. Laugh more. I gave the cats menthol earlier this week. Comedy at its finest!!!
8. Run more. Workout more. Get your groove on. Endorphins are good for the soul. er. brain.
9. Sleep more. Preferably at the approximate same time every night. THAT is a rough goal, but would be so worth it once my sleep schedule is reset!
10. Play the French Horn more frequently. I have had a chance to pick up my baby. Indescribable bliss. Love that!
Challenge:
1. Relearn German. I have a few workbooks, textbooks, book books (but not BookBooks :-P) AND magnetic words. I just have to start making it happen.
2. Learn to play Guitar. I have mastered woodwinds. I have mastered brass. Strings? Not so much... yet.
3. Learn to crochet and/or knit. As the weather cools down, in theory, this will be my relaxing-while-watching-TV/movies-pastime...
So that's it. I have six weeks until my Florida trip and half marathon. This time around I'm even intelligent enough to print out my list! I'll have it posted in my room to remind me of my goals and I'll try to challenge myself over the next 5 weeks before I leave for my trip. When I come back I'll reanalyze to decide how successful I was this attempt, and what to change for the time beyond that.
This Septemer I would like to:
1. Not watch TV (or movies). Here are some reasons. Me? "If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got." - W.L. Bateman I don't know exactly what a life sans TV would mean, but I'm curious. Also, this doesn't mean I'm giving up TV forever. [TBD]
2. Not spend money. Aside from important things. You know, those things called bills. And maybe one trip to visit my best friend. Aside from that? Nada.
3. Realize that thing I need so badly, is something I really don't need...
4. Read more. Those things with pages? Some people call them books. I have a stack that are on my list. Got to check them off.
5. Connect with people more. In real life. Sans social media.
6. Take life's curve-balls in stride. Take a deep breath.
7. Laugh more.
I feel like I need to modify my list so that I will be less stressed and more successful in the process. So here's the modified list:
This Fall I would like to:
1. Limit TV and movies. The problem with TV is that I feel like I waste SO much time watching it. Since fall shows are back on the air, I've been thinking about what I really want to watch. There were actually only three shows that came to mind. If I actually limit myself to only watching shows that I consciously choose to watch, that will greatly reduce how much time I'm devoting to TV.
2. Not spend money. I haven't done as well as I would have liked in this department, but I haven't done tremendously awful either. I did analyze my spending habits, not counting student loan, the last three months though and that was scary. For the most part I have been good at packing meals and snacks for work, but if I'm feeling stressed I do give in and splurge. (Probably on the last food items that I need to be eating when I'm already stressed.) I definitely want to cut back on that. It's time to hide the credit card. And forget that I have a in-house account at work. That thing is too tempting...
3. Realize that thing I need "so badly", is something I really don't need... This goes for things I want to buy, and also things I already own. I still have a few piles that fall into the "90 day rule" (basically if you have a "maybe keep" item that you put in a corner/box/taped area and 90 days later it's still there, because you haven't used it, it goes into the trash or gets donated no questions asked. Just lose all the clutter. Less is more...
4. Read more. I still have my stack of books to read. Since I am limiting TV time (which also doubles as work/organizing time) to three, maybe four (max), nights a week, that leaves three nights open for reading. [Sunday nights are reserved for Bible Study and whatever shenanigans that entails.]
5. Connect with people more. In real life. Sans social media. Perks: one friend is home and another just relocated into town. Good times in store! :-)
6. Take life's curve-balls in stride. Take a deep breath. This is all temporal. I can only be my best. As good, or bad, as that may be - that's all I can do.
7. Laugh more. I gave the cats menthol earlier this week. Comedy at its finest!!!
8. Run more. Workout more. Get your groove on. Endorphins are good for the soul. er. brain.
9. Sleep more. Preferably at the approximate same time every night. THAT is a rough goal, but would be so worth it once my sleep schedule is reset!
10. Play the French Horn more frequently. I have had a chance to pick up my baby. Indescribable bliss. Love that!
Challenge:
1. Relearn German. I have a few workbooks, textbooks, book books (but not BookBooks :-P) AND magnetic words. I just have to start making it happen.
2. Learn to play Guitar. I have mastered woodwinds. I have mastered brass. Strings? Not so much... yet.
3. Learn to crochet and/or knit. As the weather cools down, in theory, this will be my relaxing-while-watching-TV/movies-pastime...
So that's it. I have six weeks until my Florida trip and half marathon. This time around I'm even intelligent enough to print out my list! I'll have it posted in my room to remind me of my goals and I'll try to challenge myself over the next 5 weeks before I leave for my trip. When I come back I'll reanalyze to decide how successful I was this attempt, and what to change for the time beyond that.
Frantic Friday
I'm going to dress up as a punching bag for Halloween. That's how everyone seems to be treating me this week.
Okay, not everyone is treating me unkindly. Not even the majority of people. Just two people. Yet somehow, those two people create a cloud of negativity that all of the positive people in my life cannot merely brush away. That 10 hour disaster shift I mentioned Wednesday? 9am - 7pm. I didn't take my lunch break until 4pm. It really was that crazy. I only took my lunch break then because that is when I had to leave one part of the store to go work in another section. Thankfully, my sweet, kind coworker wouldn't let me lift a finger - unless it involved clocking myself out and taking my lunch break. She has also worked in the other section of the store. She refuses to go back unless she absolutely has to, but she always has a sympathetic ear when I need it. The worst part of that shift was getting yelled at by one person in particular for things that I could not control. I even went above and beyond, and a mistake that was made was actually her fault! Even though I took measures to verify steps (steps that she insisted we implement to avoid mistakes, ironically), SHE still made the mistake! I understand that no one is perfect, and if a mistake upsets you that is completely fine. Vent your frustrations, but please do not take frustrations out on me when it is not my mistake.
Another coworker, though I have to use that term loosely. She is a coworker because my boss pays her a salary for her services. She does not actually work on site. She only comes on site for business meetings. She has probably been on site 10 times OR LESS. A few weeks ago she emailed me requesting a project to be completed. I turned in the project, completed to the best of my ability with little instructions given to me. She asked me to redo it because of a qualification she would like that she had never initially mentioned!!! At my shift yesterday I checked my work email (an account I do not check at home if at all possible) and found a three paragraph email from her critiquing things I'm doing well and not so well. Including ideas that are not accurate and another mention of investigating our website for information. As an on site employee (of four years to her one year) I know that our website is horrendous! It contains outdated information, pictures of staff that haven't been there for six months or more, and says we offer features that, while intended, never made it into the realm of reality. And because I am on site and she is not, I think there is a huge discrepancy in our communication. "When you say ______ I think of _______ but I'm not sure if that is what you think of when you say ______." I have written an email to clarify these differences. I merely drafted it though. I didn't want to send out anything while experiencing the initial sting of her caustic remarks.
A blogger that I love to read recently wrote a "what a difference a year makes" post. Mainly detailing what a disaster her life was the previous year, all of the dark times she wandered through and finally the joy of things ultimately working out and leading her to a much more positive place. I can totally relate! At this time last year, I had just celebrated my birthday when I had found out my brother and his wife separated - mere days before I had to put on a happy face for my coworkers wedding. The next week I traveled to compete in the Rock 'n Roll VB half marathon and was preparing for my dear best friends wedding. The wedding that was amazing - but also lead to an emotional-disaster year. I devoted time and energy to two guys who said all the right things. One ended up being a tool. The other... well, I'm still figuring him out.
The last month - starting with my birthday! - has been one of the most miserable months. I feel like a walking disaster area. So here's to a new season! Here's to trying to live my life without being a disaster, putting my time and energy into more positive, rewarding endeavors, figuring out what I want in life and figuring out if that lines up with what God has planned for me!!! One of my favorite verses: "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4 And for today: here's to egg sandwiches for breakfast, dark chocolate and hot tea, and here's to acing my first exam for the training class I'm taking for work!!! Here's to dancing around like an idiot to the songs on my iPod!!! Here's to turning this frantic Friday into something more fabulous than frantic... Wish me luck!!!
Okay, not everyone is treating me unkindly. Not even the majority of people. Just two people. Yet somehow, those two people create a cloud of negativity that all of the positive people in my life cannot merely brush away. That 10 hour disaster shift I mentioned Wednesday? 9am - 7pm. I didn't take my lunch break until 4pm. It really was that crazy. I only took my lunch break then because that is when I had to leave one part of the store to go work in another section. Thankfully, my sweet, kind coworker wouldn't let me lift a finger - unless it involved clocking myself out and taking my lunch break. She has also worked in the other section of the store. She refuses to go back unless she absolutely has to, but she always has a sympathetic ear when I need it. The worst part of that shift was getting yelled at by one person in particular for things that I could not control. I even went above and beyond, and a mistake that was made was actually her fault! Even though I took measures to verify steps (steps that she insisted we implement to avoid mistakes, ironically), SHE still made the mistake! I understand that no one is perfect, and if a mistake upsets you that is completely fine. Vent your frustrations, but please do not take frustrations out on me when it is not my mistake.
Another coworker, though I have to use that term loosely. She is a coworker because my boss pays her a salary for her services. She does not actually work on site. She only comes on site for business meetings. She has probably been on site 10 times OR LESS. A few weeks ago she emailed me requesting a project to be completed. I turned in the project, completed to the best of my ability with little instructions given to me. She asked me to redo it because of a qualification she would like that she had never initially mentioned!!! At my shift yesterday I checked my work email (an account I do not check at home if at all possible) and found a three paragraph email from her critiquing things I'm doing well and not so well. Including ideas that are not accurate and another mention of investigating our website for information. As an on site employee (of four years to her one year) I know that our website is horrendous! It contains outdated information, pictures of staff that haven't been there for six months or more, and says we offer features that, while intended, never made it into the realm of reality. And because I am on site and she is not, I think there is a huge discrepancy in our communication. "When you say ______ I think of _______ but I'm not sure if that is what you think of when you say ______." I have written an email to clarify these differences. I merely drafted it though. I didn't want to send out anything while experiencing the initial sting of her caustic remarks.
A blogger that I love to read recently wrote a "what a difference a year makes" post. Mainly detailing what a disaster her life was the previous year, all of the dark times she wandered through and finally the joy of things ultimately working out and leading her to a much more positive place. I can totally relate! At this time last year, I had just celebrated my birthday when I had found out my brother and his wife separated - mere days before I had to put on a happy face for my coworkers wedding. The next week I traveled to compete in the Rock 'n Roll VB half marathon and was preparing for my dear best friends wedding. The wedding that was amazing - but also lead to an emotional-disaster year. I devoted time and energy to two guys who said all the right things. One ended up being a tool. The other... well, I'm still figuring him out.
The last month - starting with my birthday! - has been one of the most miserable months. I feel like a walking disaster area. So here's to a new season! Here's to trying to live my life without being a disaster, putting my time and energy into more positive, rewarding endeavors, figuring out what I want in life and figuring out if that lines up with what God has planned for me!!! One of my favorite verses: "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4 And for today: here's to egg sandwiches for breakfast, dark chocolate and hot tea, and here's to acing my first exam for the training class I'm taking for work!!! Here's to dancing around like an idiot to the songs on my iPod!!! Here's to turning this frantic Friday into something more fabulous than frantic... Wish me luck!!!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
"Misquotations are the only quotations that are never misquoted." -Hesketh Pearson
I'm fresh off a 10 hour disaster shift. Hot tea in hand and starting to unwind. I'm sure there are a million different things I could write about, and yet nothing seems to come to mind... BUT I owe you a blog entry, so here it is. [commence segue]
I should warn you that this is completely off the cuff and could make absolutely no sense. But a few weeks ago (see link above) I was blogging about fear. In my case, overcoming that fear by focusing on small, purposeful to-do lists that keep me focused on the baby steps I must take to achieve the big picture - and not distracted by just how big the big picture is! I am an avid lover of quotes, so naturally this brought a few to mind:
"All the so-called "secrets of success" will not work unless you do." -Author Unknown
"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." -Thomas Jefferson
"It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan." -Eleanor Roosevelt.
“God helps those who help themselves.” -Benjamin Franklin (attributed...hold that thought)
And now here we go: “God helps those who help themselves.” It's a quote I hear frequently. Often thrown around with "work as if everything depended upon you, pray as if it depended upon God." Now, the people I hear using these phrases aren't the people who spend time debating theology. They are the sort of people that prescribe to the "God wouldn't send a good person to hell" sect of Christianity. But is this a quote that Christians should be repeating? Here goes nothing...
Conservative Christians find issue from this quote right away because of it's commonly attributed source: Benjamin Franklin. Many people enjoy the belief that America was founded upon Christian values. This isn't entirely true. America was founded for religious freedom, yes, and it's founders followed loose Christian ideals but to say that it was founded as a Christian Nation is not entirely accurate. The religion of George Washington is debated; however, Benjamin Franklin was an open Deist and while Thomas Jefferson labeled himself as a Unitarian, he actually displayed the greatest Deist tendencies. So what does being a Deist have to do with it? A Deist believes in the existence of a supreme being, and that they created the universe, but that this supreme being does not manipulate or alter mortal affairs. Deists do not believe in miracles or prophecy. SO the idea that Franklin, a Deist who did not believe that God would bother himself with human problems, believed that God would help those who help themselves seems pretty ridiculous to me. (And by the way, Franklin also never said "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." It was just another historical misquote. I'm SO sorry to burst your bubble, except, you know, not really...) Also, Franklin made other comments stating that he believed that all responsibility fell upon the human race (because God would not interfere). Who knows, maybe he was just trying to induce proactive behaviors in society...
So next victim: Algernon Sidney. I know what you're thinking: "who are you talking about?" Long story short, he was a British politician back in the 17th century that was axed by King Charles II for treason. Something about a silly plot against the King and KCII took offense - some people can be so sensitive! Anyway... Algernon was considered a Calvinist republican. His main argument was the idea that God created us to be free and not to live under the dominion of an earthly king. There are two main problems I have with this quote in the context of Algernon. I will explain the second issue first. Since there were significantly less distractions back in the 17th century, Algernon would have been well read, having access to the Bible, along with other classic literature. The second dilemma: this quote word for word was popularized by Algernon Sidney in the United Kingdom, and then America by Benjamin Franklin, but can be traced back further to Greek mythology. There were four Greek authors (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Babrius) who utilized the theme in their tragedies. This isn't surprising because the theme ultimately can be traced back to a Greek proverb referring to Athena: "Along with Athena, move also your hand." Well Athena is not the god I worship, so that slightly changes the sentiment. About that... Given the cult-like religion displayed by the Greeks and the belief that humans were merely pawns to be shuffled about by the Gods, I'm not sure the transition of the quote into Christian society is appropriate. That was the second dilemma, I would argue the first dilemma is that it simply isn't supported throughout the Bible. Algernon would have had access to a Bible, and was probably well read. [Thomas Jefferson, Deist or not, would read through the Bible, in it's entirety, three times in one year.]
The Bible simply does not proclaim this message. If anything, it is the complete opposite. Our dependence on Christ. How doomed we are by sin. Helpless, hopeless and foolish. When I think of analogies in the Bible, immediately sheep, trees, spring come to mind. The spring simply gushes water from it's source; it is immobile and cannot change it's surroundings. The tree may sprout anywhere, but once it has put out roots it is immobile. It cannot change it's surrounds, it cannot control the weather, or what kind of nutrients it receives. And then there is the sheep. I have owned a sheep... Sure, they're cute but they are not the brightest animals. They survive by being afraid. They can run away; they have no other defenses. Sure they can normally find food on their own - only because they are not picky. Without a shepherd to tend and take care of them, they will not survive very long. They need the shepherd to take them to new pastures to eat. They need the shepherd to protect them from wolves and wild animals. They need the shepherd to feel safe. So we have the spring (immobile), the tree (immobile), and the sheep (scared of everything). They are all dependent on surroundings, and the sheep is very dependent on it's shepherd. None of these things can help themselves... By this logic, if "God helps those who help themselves" - well, I'm not sure God will be helping anyone anytime soon...
You're probably thinking that I'm done. Well... not quite. While it is safe to say that there is nothing in the Bible to support this quote, I would argue that the quote has merit when considered under the right context. As I've grown up, and grown in my faith, my perspective of this quote has changed. To me, rather than interpreting the quote for what it literally says, I infer the sentiment. This is not to say I believe we can "earn" God's blessings - we can't. That by "delighting ourselves in the Lord" (Psalm 37:4) and focusing on what is true and good, we will be able to understand and appreciate God's plan for us. And by delighting ourselves in the Lord, we will live our lives boldly for Him.
"And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." -Philippians 1:14
So while I do not agree with the quote at face value, I certainly do accept it as a perspective on life. The call for Christians to live boldly and proactively for Christ, rather than sitting around waiting for God's blessings to magically appear in our lives.
I really hope this jumble of thoughts makes sense to someone out there, but if not, at least I warned you at the very beginning! :-P
I should warn you that this is completely off the cuff and could make absolutely no sense. But a few weeks ago (see link above) I was blogging about fear. In my case, overcoming that fear by focusing on small, purposeful to-do lists that keep me focused on the baby steps I must take to achieve the big picture - and not distracted by just how big the big picture is! I am an avid lover of quotes, so naturally this brought a few to mind:
"All the so-called "secrets of success" will not work unless you do." -Author Unknown
"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." -Thomas Jefferson
"It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan." -Eleanor Roosevelt.
“God helps those who help themselves.” -Benjamin Franklin (attributed...hold that thought)
And now here we go: “God helps those who help themselves.” It's a quote I hear frequently. Often thrown around with "work as if everything depended upon you, pray as if it depended upon God." Now, the people I hear using these phrases aren't the people who spend time debating theology. They are the sort of people that prescribe to the "God wouldn't send a good person to hell" sect of Christianity. But is this a quote that Christians should be repeating? Here goes nothing...
Conservative Christians find issue from this quote right away because of it's commonly attributed source: Benjamin Franklin. Many people enjoy the belief that America was founded upon Christian values. This isn't entirely true. America was founded for religious freedom, yes, and it's founders followed loose Christian ideals but to say that it was founded as a Christian Nation is not entirely accurate. The religion of George Washington is debated; however, Benjamin Franklin was an open Deist and while Thomas Jefferson labeled himself as a Unitarian, he actually displayed the greatest Deist tendencies. So what does being a Deist have to do with it? A Deist believes in the existence of a supreme being, and that they created the universe, but that this supreme being does not manipulate or alter mortal affairs. Deists do not believe in miracles or prophecy. SO the idea that Franklin, a Deist who did not believe that God would bother himself with human problems, believed that God would help those who help themselves seems pretty ridiculous to me. (And by the way, Franklin also never said "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." It was just another historical misquote. I'm SO sorry to burst your bubble, except, you know, not really...) Also, Franklin made other comments stating that he believed that all responsibility fell upon the human race (because God would not interfere). Who knows, maybe he was just trying to induce proactive behaviors in society...
So next victim: Algernon Sidney. I know what you're thinking: "who are you talking about?" Long story short, he was a British politician back in the 17th century that was axed by King Charles II for treason. Something about a silly plot against the King and KCII took offense - some people can be so sensitive! Anyway... Algernon was considered a Calvinist republican. His main argument was the idea that God created us to be free and not to live under the dominion of an earthly king. There are two main problems I have with this quote in the context of Algernon. I will explain the second issue first. Since there were significantly less distractions back in the 17th century, Algernon would have been well read, having access to the Bible, along with other classic literature. The second dilemma: this quote word for word was popularized by Algernon Sidney in the United Kingdom, and then America by Benjamin Franklin, but can be traced back further to Greek mythology. There were four Greek authors (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Babrius) who utilized the theme in their tragedies. This isn't surprising because the theme ultimately can be traced back to a Greek proverb referring to Athena: "Along with Athena, move also your hand." Well Athena is not the god I worship, so that slightly changes the sentiment. About that... Given the cult-like religion displayed by the Greeks and the belief that humans were merely pawns to be shuffled about by the Gods, I'm not sure the transition of the quote into Christian society is appropriate. That was the second dilemma, I would argue the first dilemma is that it simply isn't supported throughout the Bible. Algernon would have had access to a Bible, and was probably well read. [Thomas Jefferson, Deist or not, would read through the Bible, in it's entirety, three times in one year.]
The Bible simply does not proclaim this message. If anything, it is the complete opposite. Our dependence on Christ. How doomed we are by sin. Helpless, hopeless and foolish. When I think of analogies in the Bible, immediately sheep, trees, spring come to mind. The spring simply gushes water from it's source; it is immobile and cannot change it's surroundings. The tree may sprout anywhere, but once it has put out roots it is immobile. It cannot change it's surrounds, it cannot control the weather, or what kind of nutrients it receives. And then there is the sheep. I have owned a sheep... Sure, they're cute but they are not the brightest animals. They survive by being afraid. They can run away; they have no other defenses. Sure they can normally find food on their own - only because they are not picky. Without a shepherd to tend and take care of them, they will not survive very long. They need the shepherd to take them to new pastures to eat. They need the shepherd to protect them from wolves and wild animals. They need the shepherd to feel safe. So we have the spring (immobile), the tree (immobile), and the sheep (scared of everything). They are all dependent on surroundings, and the sheep is very dependent on it's shepherd. None of these things can help themselves... By this logic, if "God helps those who help themselves" - well, I'm not sure God will be helping anyone anytime soon...
You're probably thinking that I'm done. Well... not quite. While it is safe to say that there is nothing in the Bible to support this quote, I would argue that the quote has merit when considered under the right context. As I've grown up, and grown in my faith, my perspective of this quote has changed. To me, rather than interpreting the quote for what it literally says, I infer the sentiment. This is not to say I believe we can "earn" God's blessings - we can't. That by "delighting ourselves in the Lord" (Psalm 37:4) and focusing on what is true and good, we will be able to understand and appreciate God's plan for us. And by delighting ourselves in the Lord, we will live our lives boldly for Him.
"And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." -Philippians 1:14
So while I do not agree with the quote at face value, I certainly do accept it as a perspective on life. The call for Christians to live boldly and proactively for Christ, rather than sitting around waiting for God's blessings to magically appear in our lives.
I really hope this jumble of thoughts makes sense to someone out there, but if not, at least I warned you at the very beginning! :-P
Sunday, September 18, 2011
the A B C's of Me: Take Two!
21. I’m German. I have a copy of the New Testament in German. My three brothers and I all took German in high school. Every year my brothers and I celebrate Karneval by making Berliner Pfannkuchen – and talking only in German as we do so.
22. I’m Scotch-Irish. I’m obsessed with green, but on Saint Patrick’s Day I proudly wear my Irish Orange! Every year my brothers, mom, and I celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day by watching Irish movies. (My father insists he is “too German” to participate.)
23. I love old movies and musicals! Gordon MacRae is one of my all time favorite actors! James MacArthur too!
24. I’m a Southern Belle at heart! I spent my childhood summers in Tupelo, Mississippi where my grandmother grew up. She went to school with Elvis before he was famous!!! I’m a sucker for good southern food: biscuits, cobbler, okra and grits!!! If you ever venture to the south with me, you might just catch a glimpse of me falling back into my southern accent…
25. I love being outside! My dad grew up on a farm, and I spent weekends there when I was little. It’s still a place I love to go, and I find it very relaxing. When life gets too hectic, you can usually find me in the barn with the cows!
26. My grandfather taught me how to shoot a gun when I was 12 years old. I only went hunting with him once. Later, I joined the high school rifle team. I qualified for State Championships (individual and team), shot a perfect target (100-10X) and was the unofficial team captain my senior year. I later went on to learn how to shoot pistol as well, so you should probably stay on my good side! ;-)
27: Fall is my absolute favorite season! Cool air, colorful leaves, pumpkins, lazy weekends…love love love!!!
28. I love Ghost shows. I know they’re cliché, but I just love them. I’m more interested in the cast members themselves and where they go than what “ghosts” they find. And I have a huge crush on Dave Tango!!!
29. I love holidays, but I also love holiday scented candles and old holiday movies – they just put holidays over the top for me!
30. I watch Sweet November every November 1st!
31. Around Thanksgiving I insist on making mulled cider. My family will drink it when it is hot off of the stove, but then I’m left drinking the jug by myself for the next three to four weeks. That’s what microwaves are for!!!
32. I watch It’s A Wonderful Life every Thanksgiving and White Christmas every Christmas! But I could, and do!, watch Hocus Pocus, The Family Stone and The Holiday year round!
33. I love to scrapbook! I currently have a stack to work on, but I’m a perfectionist and want to showcase my memories the best possible way, so it’s taking awhile…
34. I take a nap every Sunday afternoon. I can go through the entire week perfectly energized, but Sunday is always nap day. I think it’s just ingrained: Sunday School, Church, Family Dinner, Nap!
35. I’m obsessed with shows about hoarders. [Hoarders, Hoarding: Buried Alive, Clean House] I sit and watch (as long as I can stomach what they are airing) and throw out my stuff. As much as possible.
36. I have a guitar but I’ve never truly learned how to play. On my list of things to do.
37. I’m secretly 26 going on 76 and I have this odd desire to learn how to crochet and/or knit. Another item on my to do list.
38. I quote. A lot. Movies, books, television shows. The Secret of NIMH is one of my favorite, most quoted movies by far! (chiefly, quoting Auntie Shrew or Jeremy!)
39. Random fact: I love washing dishes!
40. I do not love putting away laundry. It usually sits in the laundry bins for a few days before I actually make myself put it away. Maybe I can change this habit…
the A B C's of Me
1. My mind is constantly turning!!! I very rarely ever truly relax. I just can’t turn off my brain.
2.I’m a visual person.
a) I journal and write endless lists! There’s just something so gratifying about the process of documenting my thoughts on paper – always in pen. I love watching the ink glide onto paper! And seeing my to-do lists get crossed off and turn into a mess of scribbled ink is also fantastic! (Same goes for blogging!)
b) I have three collage boards (two magnetic and one cork) in my room. I post favorite pictures, sayings, and things that trigger favorite memories or goals. When I need to reset my perspective on life, I clean off my collage boards and start from scratch. Works every time!
3. My bedtime routine is insane (because of #1). It includes, but is not limited to, shutting off all electronics and light sources, drinking hot tea, and making my bed. I try to make my bed in the morning, but if not I always make my bed before going to bed. I am honestly convinced that I sleep better!
4. I hate technology! I would prefer the simple life sans internet and all that comes along with it, yet I work with social media so I have to keep up on things for my job. I have six email accounts, two facebook accounts, two myspace accounts, a google+ account, a tumblr account, and a linkedin account. (Plus a woobox account and two PDS accounts for work.) This makes me feel productive at work, but hopelessly over-stimulated the rest of the time. I have no doubt that this is the main contributor to #1.
5. Because of this, one of my favorite pastimes is hiding, ignoring and/or misplacing my cell phone. Come home, leave cell phone somewhere unattended and unplug from the world.
6. I am the most habitual person I know. I could literally eat the same things every single day (and usually do) and not get bored. A “day off” from devotions or working out is never just one day off. The only exception thus far has been runs, which I meticulously schedule according to my work week. Otherwise, I absolutely thrive on consistency.
7. I drink hot tea first thing every morning. And many, many more times throughout my day.
8. I like to brush my teeth in the shower.
9. I run mostly because I am stubborn and have this insane hope that one day I will be able to consider myself a true runner. Until then, I set very small goals and grit my teeth through it. I love the release of energy, the endorphins after the fact, the pain and mostly knowing that, if nothing else, I had the motivation to get myself out there.
10. I love ice baths MUCH more than spot ice treatments. It helps to have a system. I let the tub fill up as much as possible. While I’m waiting I light a candle, get a cup of hot tea, and my Sudoku calendar – so I have something to do with myself while I wait for minor hypothermia to set in. And I love putting on comfy sweat pants afterwards – and drinking more tea – as my body temperature slowly returns to normal.
11. When I need a good laugh(and I mean a good, full body shaking laugh), I put aspercreme(which I keep on hand because of running) on a towel and wait for my cats to find it. It’s better than catnip!!! It’s hilarious and never gets old!
12. The French horn is still my best form of stress relief. The sound soothes my soul.
13. I don’t really like shopping. I can go shopping all day with girlfriends, but if it is up to me, I’m in and out ASAP. I know my size in every store I shop in so I never have to try things on!
14. I hate air conditioning. Fresh air is the way to go!
15. I love orchids, but have yet to successfully re-bloom one.
16. I go to Church every Sunday. I wish I could play every Sunday, because I don’t like singing. The past few years there has been an increase in the number of hymns we sing during worship. I know going to Church isn’t about me, but I still wish there was less emphasis on singing.
17. I’m generally not bothered by viewings or funerals. Maybe it’s because my parents have always been open and upfront about death. After what some of my relatives have gone through, death seems a lot better than being stuck in a hospital full of tubes being kept alive. I consider myself to be a passionate person. I’d like to think this is a reflection of my awareness that this world is temporal, but I worry that other people interpret it has hard-heartedness.
18. I wish I read more. I used to read books all the time in high school, and then college happened. I’m hoping to get back into the habit.
19. Reality television shows are my dirty pleasure. Laguna Beach, the Hills, and the Bachelorette are my favorites. I know they are a distraction and a waste time, but if I’m having a rough patch they can do wonders. Like soul food in the form of television!
20. I love love but I’ve become disenchanted with romantic relationships. For the moment, I’ll stick to my cats.
2.I’m a visual person.
a) I journal and write endless lists! There’s just something so gratifying about the process of documenting my thoughts on paper – always in pen. I love watching the ink glide onto paper! And seeing my to-do lists get crossed off and turn into a mess of scribbled ink is also fantastic! (Same goes for blogging!)
b) I have three collage boards (two magnetic and one cork) in my room. I post favorite pictures, sayings, and things that trigger favorite memories or goals. When I need to reset my perspective on life, I clean off my collage boards and start from scratch. Works every time!
3. My bedtime routine is insane (because of #1). It includes, but is not limited to, shutting off all electronics and light sources, drinking hot tea, and making my bed. I try to make my bed in the morning, but if not I always make my bed before going to bed. I am honestly convinced that I sleep better!
4. I hate technology! I would prefer the simple life sans internet and all that comes along with it, yet I work with social media so I have to keep up on things for my job. I have six email accounts, two facebook accounts, two myspace accounts, a google+ account, a tumblr account, and a linkedin account. (Plus a woobox account and two PDS accounts for work.) This makes me feel productive at work, but hopelessly over-stimulated the rest of the time. I have no doubt that this is the main contributor to #1.
5. Because of this, one of my favorite pastimes is hiding, ignoring and/or misplacing my cell phone. Come home, leave cell phone somewhere unattended and unplug from the world.
6. I am the most habitual person I know. I could literally eat the same things every single day (and usually do) and not get bored. A “day off” from devotions or working out is never just one day off. The only exception thus far has been runs, which I meticulously schedule according to my work week. Otherwise, I absolutely thrive on consistency.
7. I drink hot tea first thing every morning. And many, many more times throughout my day.
8. I like to brush my teeth in the shower.
9. I run mostly because I am stubborn and have this insane hope that one day I will be able to consider myself a true runner. Until then, I set very small goals and grit my teeth through it. I love the release of energy, the endorphins after the fact, the pain and mostly knowing that, if nothing else, I had the motivation to get myself out there.
10. I love ice baths MUCH more than spot ice treatments. It helps to have a system. I let the tub fill up as much as possible. While I’m waiting I light a candle, get a cup of hot tea, and my Sudoku calendar – so I have something to do with myself while I wait for minor hypothermia to set in. And I love putting on comfy sweat pants afterwards – and drinking more tea – as my body temperature slowly returns to normal.
11. When I need a good laugh(and I mean a good, full body shaking laugh), I put aspercreme(which I keep on hand because of running) on a towel and wait for my cats to find it. It’s better than catnip!!! It’s hilarious and never gets old!
12. The French horn is still my best form of stress relief. The sound soothes my soul.
13. I don’t really like shopping. I can go shopping all day with girlfriends, but if it is up to me, I’m in and out ASAP. I know my size in every store I shop in so I never have to try things on!
14. I hate air conditioning. Fresh air is the way to go!
15. I love orchids, but have yet to successfully re-bloom one.
16. I go to Church every Sunday. I wish I could play every Sunday, because I don’t like singing. The past few years there has been an increase in the number of hymns we sing during worship. I know going to Church isn’t about me, but I still wish there was less emphasis on singing.
17. I’m generally not bothered by viewings or funerals. Maybe it’s because my parents have always been open and upfront about death. After what some of my relatives have gone through, death seems a lot better than being stuck in a hospital full of tubes being kept alive. I consider myself to be a passionate person. I’d like to think this is a reflection of my awareness that this world is temporal, but I worry that other people interpret it has hard-heartedness.
18. I wish I read more. I used to read books all the time in high school, and then college happened. I’m hoping to get back into the habit.
19. Reality television shows are my dirty pleasure. Laguna Beach, the Hills, and the Bachelorette are my favorites. I know they are a distraction and a waste time, but if I’m having a rough patch they can do wonders. Like soul food in the form of television!
20. I love love but I’ve become disenchanted with romantic relationships. For the moment, I’ll stick to my cats.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Running in the Rain
Logged another 5 miles today. In 53 degrees. In the rain. Par-tay!!!
Seriously. Okay, okay. Confession #1: training brings out the weird in me. Confession #2: I think running in the rain is possibly the best thing ever. Reason #1: no competition for track/trail space - because no one else is crazy enough to run in the rain. Reason #2: I think it's just my inner child coming out. Like jumping in puddles, but better! So not only have I been spending more time than usual singing and dancing like an idiot, but I do it as I am running in the glorious rain.
Not crazy about running in these conditions? It's all in how you dress. 53 degrees is cool, but not cold. Remember, if you are a fast runner, the immediate air around you can be up to 15 degrees warmer than ambient temperature, so you don't want to overdress! I wore yoga capri pants: they are still lightweight, but provide a little extra warmth and the rain doesn't soak through to your skin. I also wore a long sleeve technical shirt underneath a running vest: tech shirts are lightweight and wick sweat away from the body, running vests (at least the ones I have) are made out of polyester microfiber that resists wind and water - to keep you dry in the rain! - but are also vented to let air through strategically. Add a running hat (also polyester microfiber and vented) to keep your head cool and dry. Another tip for those of you who fall in love with running in the rain, or just have the willpower to make yourself go, those little silica beads you get out of shoes, electronics, some OTCs? Don't throw them away!!! I have metal can (mine is from a candle, but a coffee can would work as well) FULL of those packets. Anytime anything electronic (phone, iPod, Nike+ sensor, all of the above) gets wet, no worries - just turn it off and throw it in the can! They dry out in no time! Now you're ready for those rainy day runs!!! :-)
It's funny, when I'm not running it seems like it doesn't take long at all to lose my aerobic endurance and start to get a little bit flabby. Luckily for me, at least when it comes to the flab, it doesn't take much to tone up again. Maybe I just have good genes (thanks mom & dad!) but this is really the first week I've been sticking to my food/training goals, and I already notice a difference. My legs tone super fast, which I must admit makes me love them! I've already got what I call the "frog leg" look back, aka what happens to me when I'm running. I was blessed to grow up spending my summers with female friends who were athletic and appreciated muscle. One friend played soccer for the State championship team, and ran marathons - this chic was toned and sculpted. I remember the "cool" girls telling her how much they envied her - and her legs! They were all about being physically fit and challenging yourself, and eating up! No need to be a skinny-mini. So while some girls might be bothered by how I (aka my runner's legs) look. Endless reps of squats, every easy mile, every sprint run. I have earned those muscles, and I wear them proudly!
An added bonus of training is remembering what is really important. Running is time consuming even for the fastest runners. You have to make time to run, to ice down, to recoup, to stretch, to feed your body. It takes precedence over other things you "have" to do. It's a busier, yet somehow simpler way of life.
Seriously. Okay, okay. Confession #1: training brings out the weird in me. Confession #2: I think running in the rain is possibly the best thing ever. Reason #1: no competition for track/trail space - because no one else is crazy enough to run in the rain. Reason #2: I think it's just my inner child coming out. Like jumping in puddles, but better! So not only have I been spending more time than usual singing and dancing like an idiot, but I do it as I am running in the glorious rain.
Not crazy about running in these conditions? It's all in how you dress. 53 degrees is cool, but not cold. Remember, if you are a fast runner, the immediate air around you can be up to 15 degrees warmer than ambient temperature, so you don't want to overdress! I wore yoga capri pants: they are still lightweight, but provide a little extra warmth and the rain doesn't soak through to your skin. I also wore a long sleeve technical shirt underneath a running vest: tech shirts are lightweight and wick sweat away from the body, running vests (at least the ones I have) are made out of polyester microfiber that resists wind and water - to keep you dry in the rain! - but are also vented to let air through strategically. Add a running hat (also polyester microfiber and vented) to keep your head cool and dry. Another tip for those of you who fall in love with running in the rain, or just have the willpower to make yourself go, those little silica beads you get out of shoes, electronics, some OTCs? Don't throw them away!!! I have metal can (mine is from a candle, but a coffee can would work as well) FULL of those packets. Anytime anything electronic (phone, iPod, Nike+ sensor, all of the above) gets wet, no worries - just turn it off and throw it in the can! They dry out in no time! Now you're ready for those rainy day runs!!! :-)
It's funny, when I'm not running it seems like it doesn't take long at all to lose my aerobic endurance and start to get a little bit flabby. Luckily for me, at least when it comes to the flab, it doesn't take much to tone up again. Maybe I just have good genes (thanks mom & dad!) but this is really the first week I've been sticking to my food/training goals, and I already notice a difference. My legs tone super fast, which I must admit makes me love them! I've already got what I call the "frog leg" look back, aka what happens to me when I'm running. I was blessed to grow up spending my summers with female friends who were athletic and appreciated muscle. One friend played soccer for the State championship team, and ran marathons - this chic was toned and sculpted. I remember the "cool" girls telling her how much they envied her - and her legs! They were all about being physically fit and challenging yourself, and eating up! No need to be a skinny-mini. So while some girls might be bothered by how I (aka my runner's legs) look. Endless reps of squats, every easy mile, every sprint run. I have earned those muscles, and I wear them proudly!
An added bonus of training is remembering what is really important. Running is time consuming even for the fastest runners. You have to make time to run, to ice down, to recoup, to stretch, to feed your body. It takes precedence over other things you "have" to do. It's a busier, yet somehow simpler way of life.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Can You Feel It?
I can! It's (half) marathon season!
In case you didn't see my training chart (or forgot), it's a 5 mile week! And since I didn't run...oh, pretty much ALL SUMMER! I must admit that I am feeling it. The delightful, yet miserable combination of pain and general discomfort. Also, I'm a chronic under-eater. I eat food all the time - but I feel full so quickly. And I'm training for a half marathon. Which means I need to eat extra food to fuel my body. You burn approximately 100 calories for every mile you run. Every day I run, I'm running 5 miles or more and that means I have to eat an extra 500+ calories. [Side note: It is advised for women who run intensively to consume at least 2,500 calories every day!!! If you consume less, it is important to get your iron levels checked by your doctor.] Yikes... SO I have to plan out my meals so I know I'm getting a) all of my servings and b) enough calories. I eat a diet high in vegetables: vegetables = high fiber, low calories. And dang it is hard to eat enough calories when you're full of vegetables!!! So I plan out five mini "meals" every day and then allow myself to splurge on dessert. This week it is pecan crunch. There is also cashew crunch. Let's just say this is a definite weakness. A hot cup of tea and a piece of crunch and I'm all set. That's one way to relax after a day of work!
Anyway, I've been feeling good because I am planning out my meals to get all of my servings and enough calories. Today my body felt pretty good. Some minor soreness in my hips. (Q angle strikes again?) Just some minor muscle aches. Make abrupt directional changes? Prepare to feel some joint in your body crack - in a good way. I have the highest expectations for this round of training. Which also means an increased potential for pain. But "no pain, no gain" right? Today I had a chance to talk to a pharmacist, who is also a fellow runner, about the pros and cons of NSAIDs. That's non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for you less medicine-savvy folk. Also known as ibuprofen (advil, motrin), naproxen (aleve) and aspirin (bayer, bufferin). They have properties to reduce fevers and minor muscular aches. Ibuprofen and naproxen also block prostaglandins, a type of protein, that cause inflammation. This minimizes inflammation and swelling in the body. Of course, on the backs of all the boxes of NSAIDs it says things like "do not take for more than 10 days" etc etc etc. I'm training for a half marathon... it's not always pretty and some days you are in so much pain that you cry yourself to sleep. I looked up so pros and cons for ibuprofen and naproxen. (Aspirin does not block prostaglandins and is consequently less popular within the distance running community.) This all started the other day. I was taking ibuprofen a few hours after a run. I was taking the same amount I've always taken - since high school, but for some reason I checked the recommended dose anyway. Needless to say I was taking more than the guided dose and that made me nervous. Historically I am an ibuprofen girl, but naproxen uses fewer pills/dose so I wanted to get the facts straight. I finally had a chance to talk to the pharmacist knowing that I have eight weeks of intense training in my future and wanting to do the best thing for my body - not just for my legs, but for my stomach and liver. The pharmacist confirmed what I was doing though. Naproxen has a dosage of one pill every twelve hours. Sounds great right? Well... when you're training and taking a pill that may not actually provide twelve hours of pain relief, good in theory but bad in practice. So onto ibuprofen. I had taken three 200mg pills. A dose that I have been taking since at least my sophomore year of high school, if not earlier. (Yes, this dose was OKed by multiple nurses and yes I am still alive with a functioning liver, but I want to be kind to my hepatocytes.) You see, the label recommended taking one 200mg pill every four to six hours, but not to exceed six pills within twenty four hours. How is THAT supposed to get me through my training woes? Well false alarm. Probably in part due to the abuse of other OTC pain relievers (chiefly acetaminophen), the dosage ceiling of ibuprofen is advertised as being much lower than it actually is. Six 200mg pills, or 1200mg, every twenty four hours is the advertised dose ceiling. You can actually take up to four 200mg pills at one time, up to three times a day. That's twelve 200mg pills, or 2400mg. TWICE the advertised dosage. Way to give me a false alarm makers of ibuprofen... Also, because of the faster metabolism time, you can overlap pills if needed. No need to wait twelve hours between doses. Ibuprofen wins! Still, I try to be smart. Since the initial label incident, I have been taking only one 200mg pill at a time. I've been running 5 miles. I'm uncomfortable, not dead. In theory my body will appreciate me more when I'm running 9 miles and really hurting...
My second label scuffle of the day: ultra strength muscle rub. When you train for a half marathon, you quickly realize that muscle rub is not just for old people with arthritis. Menthol has pretty steller properties. [Also random fact: my cats think menthol is better than cat nip. Use responsibly.] This wouldn't have been an issue because I've used it before and know better... but there is nothing on my new box of ultra strength muscle rub to dissuade people from using the product before or after bathing. This is a huge NO. You must wait an hour before or after bathing/swimming/sweating before using muscle rub. Anything with methyl salicylate cannot be used with any increased chance of moisture: water, sweat, or otherwise. It's common knowledge (okay, coming from the person who cares because they run so they use it) Trust me - I've used it prior to running, and once you start sweating, you will feel like you are on fire! But for those who have not used it and are not aware of this unfortunate combination? Poor product advisory column! Bad news bears, muscle rub distribution company.
Unless you are planning on running a half marathon anytime soon, I realize this is probably a lame entry. But better luck next time.
In case you didn't see my training chart (or forgot), it's a 5 mile week! And since I didn't run...oh, pretty much ALL SUMMER! I must admit that I am feeling it. The delightful, yet miserable combination of pain and general discomfort. Also, I'm a chronic under-eater. I eat food all the time - but I feel full so quickly. And I'm training for a half marathon. Which means I need to eat extra food to fuel my body. You burn approximately 100 calories for every mile you run. Every day I run, I'm running 5 miles or more and that means I have to eat an extra 500+ calories. [Side note: It is advised for women who run intensively to consume at least 2,500 calories every day!!! If you consume less, it is important to get your iron levels checked by your doctor.] Yikes... SO I have to plan out my meals so I know I'm getting a) all of my servings and b) enough calories. I eat a diet high in vegetables: vegetables = high fiber, low calories. And dang it is hard to eat enough calories when you're full of vegetables!!! So I plan out five mini "meals" every day and then allow myself to splurge on dessert. This week it is pecan crunch. There is also cashew crunch. Let's just say this is a definite weakness. A hot cup of tea and a piece of crunch and I'm all set. That's one way to relax after a day of work!
Anyway, I've been feeling good because I am planning out my meals to get all of my servings and enough calories. Today my body felt pretty good. Some minor soreness in my hips. (Q angle strikes again?) Just some minor muscle aches. Make abrupt directional changes? Prepare to feel some joint in your body crack - in a good way. I have the highest expectations for this round of training. Which also means an increased potential for pain. But "no pain, no gain" right? Today I had a chance to talk to a pharmacist, who is also a fellow runner, about the pros and cons of NSAIDs. That's non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for you less medicine-savvy folk. Also known as ibuprofen (advil, motrin), naproxen (aleve) and aspirin (bayer, bufferin). They have properties to reduce fevers and minor muscular aches. Ibuprofen and naproxen also block prostaglandins, a type of protein, that cause inflammation. This minimizes inflammation and swelling in the body. Of course, on the backs of all the boxes of NSAIDs it says things like "do not take for more than 10 days" etc etc etc. I'm training for a half marathon... it's not always pretty and some days you are in so much pain that you cry yourself to sleep. I looked up so pros and cons for ibuprofen and naproxen. (Aspirin does not block prostaglandins and is consequently less popular within the distance running community.) This all started the other day. I was taking ibuprofen a few hours after a run. I was taking the same amount I've always taken - since high school, but for some reason I checked the recommended dose anyway. Needless to say I was taking more than the guided dose and that made me nervous. Historically I am an ibuprofen girl, but naproxen uses fewer pills/dose so I wanted to get the facts straight. I finally had a chance to talk to the pharmacist knowing that I have eight weeks of intense training in my future and wanting to do the best thing for my body - not just for my legs, but for my stomach and liver. The pharmacist confirmed what I was doing though. Naproxen has a dosage of one pill every twelve hours. Sounds great right? Well... when you're training and taking a pill that may not actually provide twelve hours of pain relief, good in theory but bad in practice. So onto ibuprofen. I had taken three 200mg pills. A dose that I have been taking since at least my sophomore year of high school, if not earlier. (Yes, this dose was OKed by multiple nurses and yes I am still alive with a functioning liver, but I want to be kind to my hepatocytes.) You see, the label recommended taking one 200mg pill every four to six hours, but not to exceed six pills within twenty four hours. How is THAT supposed to get me through my training woes? Well false alarm. Probably in part due to the abuse of other OTC pain relievers (chiefly acetaminophen), the dosage ceiling of ibuprofen is advertised as being much lower than it actually is. Six 200mg pills, or 1200mg, every twenty four hours is the advertised dose ceiling. You can actually take up to four 200mg pills at one time, up to three times a day. That's twelve 200mg pills, or 2400mg. TWICE the advertised dosage. Way to give me a false alarm makers of ibuprofen... Also, because of the faster metabolism time, you can overlap pills if needed. No need to wait twelve hours between doses. Ibuprofen wins! Still, I try to be smart. Since the initial label incident, I have been taking only one 200mg pill at a time. I've been running 5 miles. I'm uncomfortable, not dead. In theory my body will appreciate me more when I'm running 9 miles and really hurting...
My second label scuffle of the day: ultra strength muscle rub. When you train for a half marathon, you quickly realize that muscle rub is not just for old people with arthritis. Menthol has pretty steller properties. [Also random fact: my cats think menthol is better than cat nip. Use responsibly.] This wouldn't have been an issue because I've used it before and know better... but there is nothing on my new box of ultra strength muscle rub to dissuade people from using the product before or after bathing. This is a huge NO. You must wait an hour before or after bathing/swimming/sweating before using muscle rub. Anything with methyl salicylate cannot be used with any increased chance of moisture: water, sweat, or otherwise. It's common knowledge (okay, coming from the person who cares because they run so they use it) Trust me - I've used it prior to running, and once you start sweating, you will feel like you are on fire! But for those who have not used it and are not aware of this unfortunate combination? Poor product advisory column! Bad news bears, muscle rub distribution company.
Unless you are planning on running a half marathon anytime soon, I realize this is probably a lame entry. But better luck next time.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Love!!!
sing in the shower. treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated. watch a sunrise at least once a year. never refuse homemade brownies. strive for excellence, not perfection. plant a tree on your birthday. learn three clean jokes. return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full. compliment three people every day. never waste an opportunity to say "i love you". leave everything a little better than you found it. keep it simple. think big thoughts, but relish small pleasures. become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. floss your teeth. ask for a raise when you feel you deserve it. be forgiving of yourself and others. over tip breakfast waitresses. say "thank you" often. say "please" often. avoid negative people. buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards. wear polished shoes. remember other people's birthdays. commit yourself to constant improvement. carry jumper cables in the trunk of your car. have a firm handshake. send lots of valentine cards. look people in the eye. be the first to say "hello". use the good silver. return everything you borrow. make new friends but cherish the old ones. keep secrets. sing in a choir. plant flowers every spring. always accept an outstretched hand. stop blaming others. take responsibility for every area of your life. wave at kids on school buses. be there when someone needs you. feed a stranger's expired parking meter. don't expect life to be fair. never underestimate the power of love. drink champagne for no reason at all. live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation. don't be afraid to admit you made a mistake. don't be afraid to say you don't know. keep your promises. marry only for love. count your blessings. call your mom and dad
Good Morning!
Well HELLOOOOOO Blog World!
Let's just say the last two days have been rough. Was on the verge of tears out of sheer frustration. Was a zombie by 8PM last night. The last thing I remember is rolling myself under the covers at 8:47PM and the next thing I knew, 2:50AM was flashing on my clock. And I've been awake ever since. Lovely. Really, really lovely.
At first I was trying to fall back asleep. Went to the bathroom (everyone sleeps better with an empty bladder, right? right?), turned on my fan (temperature is important too), and did some Sudoku and... nothing. Still up. So instead I am making the most of this early morning energy burst. Or, at the very least, trying. Sorting some small boxes and throwing out a lot of junk. Taking labels off of plastic bottles for recycling. Really fun stuff. Okay, maybe not so much. But it did need to be done... Also, I have a work party Saturday. I'm hoping that I can make ahead. Instead I just saw this picture of cheddar mashed potatoes and, I don't care if it is 5:30AM, I want some!
Okay, okay... Early morning scatterbrain aside, I've been thinking about love. Or our culture's current definition of love. And marriage. My friend, who is of the "divorce is not an option" mindset, is "religious" (but when you actually ask, she describes herself as "spiritual") and her husband is not. Her MO: "as long as he respects it, its fine." She says he goes to Church with her, and that is good enough for her. Personally, I've never gone to Church with her family when he was in attendance. He does not come from a Christian family and while she says he respects her beliefs, his father does not. I was visiting her for her birthday, as were her parents-in-law. I don't remember what was said exactly, but I do remember her father-in-law commenting on the fact that we were going to Church. I can only imagine that this would lead to tensions eventually. Either between father and son or husband and wife.
Even so, does this sort of marriage sell faith short? I can't imagine not being spiritually stunted in a relationship like this. Or feeling emotionally boxed in. Could a person truly feel fulfilled in this relationship. Could I? I know, everyone is different. My friend calls herself "religious" but describes herself as "spiritual." That sentence itself puts us on two different pages. In my life, I feel like if I was married to someone who was not religious, I would be treading water. Spinning in circles. With the possibility of growth stunted by our theological differences. Not that I'm saying there is no potential for growth, but that the potential would not be as great as it would be for two religious partners. Does this mean my friend is doomed to a mediocre marriage? And if that is the case, what is worse? Divorce itself... or the mediocre marriage?
If you are a Christian (I am) and believe that Christianity is the truth (I do), how could you resign yourself to a mediocre marriage? After all, our marriages are supposed to be a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the Church. More importantly, in my case, how do you attempt to help your friends understand this thought process? Or any thought process that involves lifestyle choices made based on a religious belief. At this point, most of my friends are married. Even most of the single ones are attached in various degrees of relationships. I'm still single. And EVERYONE has an opinion. How do you break it to your less religious friends that you've found someone who is more conservative? For instance, unequally yoked homegirl mentioned above thinks she is planning my wedding. Nice? I love her, but all of her family functions involve alcohol. I saw the woman consume alcohol, albeit small amounts, when preggo. Babe is fine - no worries there, I'm just attempting to show the prevalence of alcohol consumption, moderate to heavy depending on circumstances, in her life. She insists she is planning my wedding, but I am beginning to feel that if I asked her to plan a dry wedding she might whip me. Thoughts? Anyone, anyone? How do you tell a friend you've grown up with, that you've grown in different directions - with different values? Well aside from talk to all of your other, more understanding friends first so you can at least have backup. Because that is totally Plan A. Just saying...
Let's just say the last two days have been rough. Was on the verge of tears out of sheer frustration. Was a zombie by 8PM last night. The last thing I remember is rolling myself under the covers at 8:47PM and the next thing I knew, 2:50AM was flashing on my clock. And I've been awake ever since. Lovely. Really, really lovely.
At first I was trying to fall back asleep. Went to the bathroom (everyone sleeps better with an empty bladder, right? right?), turned on my fan (temperature is important too), and did some Sudoku and... nothing. Still up. So instead I am making the most of this early morning energy burst. Or, at the very least, trying. Sorting some small boxes and throwing out a lot of junk. Taking labels off of plastic bottles for recycling. Really fun stuff. Okay, maybe not so much. But it did need to be done... Also, I have a work party Saturday. I'm hoping that I can make ahead. Instead I just saw this picture of cheddar mashed potatoes and, I don't care if it is 5:30AM, I want some!
Okay, okay... Early morning scatterbrain aside, I've been thinking about love. Or our culture's current definition of love. And marriage. My friend, who is of the "divorce is not an option" mindset, is "religious" (but when you actually ask, she describes herself as "spiritual") and her husband is not. Her MO: "as long as he respects it, its fine." She says he goes to Church with her, and that is good enough for her. Personally, I've never gone to Church with her family when he was in attendance. He does not come from a Christian family and while she says he respects her beliefs, his father does not. I was visiting her for her birthday, as were her parents-in-law. I don't remember what was said exactly, but I do remember her father-in-law commenting on the fact that we were going to Church. I can only imagine that this would lead to tensions eventually. Either between father and son or husband and wife.
Even so, does this sort of marriage sell faith short? I can't imagine not being spiritually stunted in a relationship like this. Or feeling emotionally boxed in. Could a person truly feel fulfilled in this relationship. Could I? I know, everyone is different. My friend calls herself "religious" but describes herself as "spiritual." That sentence itself puts us on two different pages. In my life, I feel like if I was married to someone who was not religious, I would be treading water. Spinning in circles. With the possibility of growth stunted by our theological differences. Not that I'm saying there is no potential for growth, but that the potential would not be as great as it would be for two religious partners. Does this mean my friend is doomed to a mediocre marriage? And if that is the case, what is worse? Divorce itself... or the mediocre marriage?
If you are a Christian (I am) and believe that Christianity is the truth (I do), how could you resign yourself to a mediocre marriage? After all, our marriages are supposed to be a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the Church. More importantly, in my case, how do you attempt to help your friends understand this thought process? Or any thought process that involves lifestyle choices made based on a religious belief. At this point, most of my friends are married. Even most of the single ones are attached in various degrees of relationships. I'm still single. And EVERYONE has an opinion. How do you break it to your less religious friends that you've found someone who is more conservative? For instance, unequally yoked homegirl mentioned above thinks she is planning my wedding. Nice? I love her, but all of her family functions involve alcohol. I saw the woman consume alcohol, albeit small amounts, when preggo. Babe is fine - no worries there, I'm just attempting to show the prevalence of alcohol consumption, moderate to heavy depending on circumstances, in her life. She insists she is planning my wedding, but I am beginning to feel that if I asked her to plan a dry wedding she might whip me. Thoughts? Anyone, anyone? How do you tell a friend you've grown up with, that you've grown in different directions - with different values? Well aside from talk to all of your other, more understanding friends first so you can at least have backup. Because that is totally Plan A. Just saying...
Thursday, September 8, 2011
It's the Little Things...
Favorite thing of the day: Being outside at dusk when a cool breeze mixes with the scent of a freshly mowed lawn. Bliss!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Pillow Talk
This past week I've been spoiled. I've had lots of time to spend with an adorable man...
See???!!! What a hunk!!! I cannot believe he is already 5 months old! While I'm not ready to have babies of my own, I can appreciate his joy for life. Constant amazement, joy for new experiences and innocent happiness. Adorable! He's so cute that even the constant slobber and occasional vomit don't make him completely undesirable. (Though it does make me glad his legitimate relatives are always close by!) This is the crawling blanket. He hasn't quite figured out the actual crawling part yet, but we spend lots of time chilling on the blanket with his toys, chiefly his beloved Captain Calamari! It's soft and provides the perfect place for his current adventures and explorations!
See???!!! What a hunk!!! I cannot believe he is already 5 months old! While I'm not ready to have babies of my own, I can appreciate his joy for life. Constant amazement, joy for new experiences and innocent happiness. Adorable! He's so cute that even the constant slobber and occasional vomit don't make him completely undesirable. (Though it does make me glad his legitimate relatives are always close by!) This is the crawling blanket. He hasn't quite figured out the actual crawling part yet, but we spend lots of time chilling on the blanket with his toys, chiefly his beloved Captain Calamari! It's soft and provides the perfect place for his current adventures and explorations!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Labor Day!!!
It's Labor Day!!! And I've been thinking about something... the labor of Love.
As William Shakespeare wrote in A Midsummer Night's Dream, "The course of true love never did run smooth"
What is love worth? What would you give up for love? If you refuse to give up something for love, aren't you saying that thing holds more value to you than love? What could be worth more than love?! In faith there are negotiables and non-negotiables. In my life, I feel that going to Africa is a non-negotiable while going to graduate school is negotiable. Yet I have a few dear friends that find this troubling. How could I give up my dreams "for a guy"?! I get this reaction, ironically, from more men that women, but also from Christian men. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Especially when you consider how the sexes were created for different purposes. If you believe that God created the Heavens and the Earth, and believe that Christ came to atone our sins, how can you ignore the fact that God created us for different purposes? Adam was created first, to tend and take care of the Earth. Eve was created second, to be a partner for Adam and to produce life.
Why is it that this view of love and marriage has infiltrated Christian society? The stereotypes of people going to college just to find a spouse. At the local college, there are what we call "Cru couples". Young men and women who met through the local Campus Crusade for Christ organization. The stereotype has garnered some negative connotations because otherwise motivated people appear to give up their dreams and instead seek only marriage and babies. Okay, admittedly, there are few things that I find more obnoxious than being in a room full of Cru couples. That is not to say that being one of these couples is a bad thing. Cru couples are generally people who previously had such lofty goals in life that they seemingly throw aside, and instead focus on God's role in their love story and living their lives to glorify Him. This should be a good, celebrated thing. But to single individuals looking from the outside in, it is viewed often as a form of torture. And "how dare they throw away their plans to live for God and just move to Philadelphia and have babies!" [Actual quote I was told in reference to one such couple.] Just because people that had loftier goals to glorify God fell in love, and found more humble ways to glorify God, does that negate the fact that they are still glorifying God? Should they be grieved for the sacrificies they have chosen to make? Christ sacrificed His life for us. The disciples sacrificed their families, their homes and their ways of life to follow, and ultimately spread, the word of Christ. How on earth did sacrificing our perceived dreams garner itself such a negative reputation? If we believe that God has a plan for our lives - including things beyond what we can imagine - how then can we assume that people are settling when they believe they are following God's will.
And in our countries current state, can a job be considered to be more important than love? A job that could be taken away at any moment because of an unstable economy. Whereas love, that is right and true, is lasting. Even when our loved are no longer with us, it does not diminish our love for them, or our capacity to love. Our job, however, may slowly diminish our ability to recognize and celebrate love. A parasite thriving off our unhappiness. A co-worker we disagree with. Staff meetings. The dull-drum of constant, persistent work without appreciation of life's small joys.
Isn't love worth more than that?
As William Shakespeare wrote in A Midsummer Night's Dream, "The course of true love never did run smooth"
What is love worth? What would you give up for love? If you refuse to give up something for love, aren't you saying that thing holds more value to you than love? What could be worth more than love?! In faith there are negotiables and non-negotiables. In my life, I feel that going to Africa is a non-negotiable while going to graduate school is negotiable. Yet I have a few dear friends that find this troubling. How could I give up my dreams "for a guy"?! I get this reaction, ironically, from more men that women, but also from Christian men. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Especially when you consider how the sexes were created for different purposes. If you believe that God created the Heavens and the Earth, and believe that Christ came to atone our sins, how can you ignore the fact that God created us for different purposes? Adam was created first, to tend and take care of the Earth. Eve was created second, to be a partner for Adam and to produce life.
Why is it that this view of love and marriage has infiltrated Christian society? The stereotypes of people going to college just to find a spouse. At the local college, there are what we call "Cru couples". Young men and women who met through the local Campus Crusade for Christ organization. The stereotype has garnered some negative connotations because otherwise motivated people appear to give up their dreams and instead seek only marriage and babies. Okay, admittedly, there are few things that I find more obnoxious than being in a room full of Cru couples. That is not to say that being one of these couples is a bad thing. Cru couples are generally people who previously had such lofty goals in life that they seemingly throw aside, and instead focus on God's role in their love story and living their lives to glorify Him. This should be a good, celebrated thing. But to single individuals looking from the outside in, it is viewed often as a form of torture. And "how dare they throw away their plans to live for God and just move to Philadelphia and have babies!" [Actual quote I was told in reference to one such couple.] Just because people that had loftier goals to glorify God fell in love, and found more humble ways to glorify God, does that negate the fact that they are still glorifying God? Should they be grieved for the sacrificies they have chosen to make? Christ sacrificed His life for us. The disciples sacrificed their families, their homes and their ways of life to follow, and ultimately spread, the word of Christ. How on earth did sacrificing our perceived dreams garner itself such a negative reputation? If we believe that God has a plan for our lives - including things beyond what we can imagine - how then can we assume that people are settling when they believe they are following God's will.
And in our countries current state, can a job be considered to be more important than love? A job that could be taken away at any moment because of an unstable economy. Whereas love, that is right and true, is lasting. Even when our loved are no longer with us, it does not diminish our love for them, or our capacity to love. Our job, however, may slowly diminish our ability to recognize and celebrate love. A parasite thriving off our unhappiness. A co-worker we disagree with. Staff meetings. The dull-drum of constant, persistent work without appreciation of life's small joys.
Isn't love worth more than that?
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Fear
I love to-do lists. It helps me prioritize what I need to accomplish, focus on that task, and see my progress. Even if it is merely how many tasks have been crossed out. Now that I've graduated college AND I am working full time AND I am training for a half marathon, the thought of focusing on other goals is overwhelming. Africa. GREs. Graduate School. Yikes! I already mentioned that I would much prefer to shrink away into the corner, and that bold is not really my thing. It seems this certain meekness, in my case, predisposes me to fear. Paralyzing fear.
Quotes about Fear:
"The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid." -Lady Bird Johnson
"He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." -Marie Curie
Quotes about Fear & Faith:
"Fear is faith that it won't work out." -Sister Mary Tricky
"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith." -Mary Manin Morrissey
"There is much in the world to make us afraid. There is much more in our faith to make us unafraid." -Frederick W. Cropp
"Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death." -Author Unknown
And my favorite" [not because of the sentiment, but because of personal connections]
When I went to summer camp, there was a climbing tower, a high ropes course, a zip line and an initiatives course. On the initiatives course, there were certain activities only the older campers got to attempt. The staffers would impose certain limitations. ie. "Sarah is blind" "Julie can't use her right arm", etc. And you would have to work around these limitations to complete the task. One in particular was a 10ft wall. We had nothing, but had to get everyone over and on to the other side of the wall. The building was burning and that was the only way out, or something was flooding, some sort of disaster scenario. And of course, once you made it to the other side of the wall, you couldn't help get the others get over the wall. (unless they could jump and reach your hand to be pulled over, etc) Of course, being all girls, I think the tallest person was 5'8" or so. Long story short, we ended up getting everyone (10 girls) over this 10ft wall in under 10 minutes! So that is what I think of when I think of that quote. Just cross out fence and insert wall.
For now, I will use to-do lists to help focus my priorities, achieve small goals, take risks, be bold! and conquer large(r) fears. [segue for future post: to be continued...]
Quotes about Fear:
"The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid." -Lady Bird Johnson
"He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." -Marie Curie
Quotes about Fear & Faith:
"Fear is faith that it won't work out." -Sister Mary Tricky
"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith." -Mary Manin Morrissey
"There is much in the world to make us afraid. There is much more in our faith to make us unafraid." -Frederick W. Cropp
"Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death." -Author Unknown
And my favorite" [not because of the sentiment, but because of personal connections]
"Fear is the highest fence." -Dudley Nichols
When I went to summer camp, there was a climbing tower, a high ropes course, a zip line and an initiatives course. On the initiatives course, there were certain activities only the older campers got to attempt. The staffers would impose certain limitations. ie. "Sarah is blind" "Julie can't use her right arm", etc. And you would have to work around these limitations to complete the task. One in particular was a 10ft wall. We had nothing, but had to get everyone over and on to the other side of the wall. The building was burning and that was the only way out, or something was flooding, some sort of disaster scenario. And of course, once you made it to the other side of the wall, you couldn't help get the others get over the wall. (unless they could jump and reach your hand to be pulled over, etc) Of course, being all girls, I think the tallest person was 5'8" or so. Long story short, we ended up getting everyone (10 girls) over this 10ft wall in under 10 minutes! So that is what I think of when I think of that quote. Just cross out fence and insert wall.
For now, I will use to-do lists to help focus my priorities, achieve small goals, take risks, be bold! and conquer large(r) fears. [segue for future post: to be continued...]
30 Day Hiccup
So I didn't really think this whole "no TV" thing through. No TV at home? sure. No TV at work? check. No TV at anyone's house I go to visit? Yeah about that... Went to visit my friend, who is town for the week, at her parents' house and my "no TV" streak was ruined. And my parents' constantly watch TV. And my grandmother is always watching TV when we go over for Sunday lunch. So I guess I have to amend my "no TV" goal to "no TV at my house". No, I did not purposely go to my friend's house just to watch TV. No, I will not begin to go to friend's houses with the goal of watching TV.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Deep Breath, Step Back
"Never judge a man's actions until you know his motives."
"We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path." - Paulo Coelho
Give me the benefit of the doubt. Believe it or not, I can make educated decisions.
"We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path." - Paulo Coelho
Give me the benefit of the doubt. Believe it or not, I can make educated decisions.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
30 Day Challenge!!! Part Drei
I feel like I had everything so much more together in high school. I worked out everyday. I did morning devotions everyday. EVERYDAY. I remember I would wake up and do my devotions first thing. Because I always got them done, but also because it helped me keep everything in perspective. This life is temporal. I don't really need to worry about _______. For the worries that morning devotions couldn't keep away, there were the nightly workouts, and their mood-boosting endorphins. It was a good system. Life seemed to move slower. Because I wasn't so stressed. Everything was viewed from the perspective of healthy faith. I reacted to outside forces less, and wasn't quite so frantic. I hate to admit, but I've lost that.
My goal is to hide myself away from the world, with the Bible or a book and hot tea (and let's be honest, probably a cozy blanket), for at least one hour every day. No TV, no computer, no cell phone, no music. The first books on my list:
The Book of Acts
My goal is to hide myself away from the world, with the Bible or a book and hot tea (and let's be honest, probably a cozy blanket), for at least one hour every day. No TV, no computer, no cell phone, no music. The first books on my list:
The Book of Acts
The Case for Christ (Lee Strobel)
The Resurrection Factor (Josh McDowell)
Who Made God? (Ravi Zacharias/Norman Geisler)
The Resurrection Factor (Josh McDowell)
Who Made God? (Ravi Zacharias/Norman Geisler)
Is Your Church Ready? (Ravi Zacharias/Norman Geisler)
The Invisible People (Greg Behrman)
30 Day Challenge!!! Part Zwei
Since I won't be watching TV, to entertain myself I have picked out books from my "must read(reread) list". They are as follows: (not necessarily the order I will read them. I'm just that OCD.)
Christian Themes:
A Love Worth Giving (Max Lucado)
Ashamed of the Gospel (John MacArthur)
Cries of the Heart (Ravi Zacharias)Cure for the Common Life (Max Lucado)
Is Your Church Ready? (Ravi Zacharias/Norman Geisler)
Knowing God (JI Packer)
mereChristianity (CS Lewis)
Six Hours One Friday (Max Lucado)
The Case for Christ (Lee Strobel)
The Pillars of Christian Character (John MacArthur)
The Resurrection Factor (Josh McDowell)
The Screwtape Letters (CS Lewis)
Traveling Light (Max Lucado)
Twelve Ordinary Men (John MacArthur)
Who Made God? (Ravi Zacharias/Norman Geisler)
Pretty much everything else:
If the South Won Gettysburg (Mark Nesbitt)
The Invisible People (Greg Behrman)
The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
The Princess Bride (William Goldman)
Twilight and Philosophy
What Color is Your Parachute
Without Conscience (Robert Hare)
So that's it. NO idea how long it will take me to get through... but there it is. Also, in terms of the B-I-B-L-E, I think I'm going to jump around the gospels some more. I've read through certain ones previously, and others with a group. For the most part though, I can't remember any recent attempts on a book study that I finished. So I'm jumping around again, but I'm starting in Acts. Look for lots of anecdotes in the future!
30 Day Challenge!!!
It's September 1st!!!
This Septemer I would like to:
1. Not watch TV (or movies). Here are some reasons. Me? "If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got." - W.L. Bateman I don't know exactly what a life sans TV would mean, but I'm curious. Also, this doesn't mean I'm giving up TV forever. [TBD]
2. Not spend money. Aside from important things. You know, those things called bills. And maybe one trip to visit my best friend. Aside from that? Nada.
3. Realize that thing I need so badly, is something I really don't need...
4. Read more. Those things with pages? Some people call them books. I have a stack that are on my list. Got to check them off.
5. Connect with people more. In real life. Sans social media.
6. Take life's curve-balls in stride. Take a deep breath.
7. Laugh more.
Stay tuned friends!
This Septemer I would like to:
1. Not watch TV (or movies). Here are some reasons. Me? "If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got." - W.L. Bateman I don't know exactly what a life sans TV would mean, but I'm curious. Also, this doesn't mean I'm giving up TV forever. [TBD]
2. Not spend money. Aside from important things. You know, those things called bills. And maybe one trip to visit my best friend. Aside from that? Nada.
3. Realize that thing I need so badly, is something I really don't need...
4. Read more. Those things with pages? Some people call them books. I have a stack that are on my list. Got to check them off.
5. Connect with people more. In real life. Sans social media.
6. Take life's curve-balls in stride. Take a deep breath.
7. Laugh more.
Stay tuned friends!
Living for Christ
As I said, the past ten months for me have been a whirlwind of pain, challenge, and growth. For myself and some of my dear friends. I decided to step down as High School Sunday School teacher. Our Bible Study has been on hiatus for the last month. I'm still finding out how God wants to use me in Africa.
With everything I've been feeling, I was wondering "what does it mean to be a good Christian?" As I was looking I found this passage:
I was thinking about this. At first glance, I didn't think my sufferings were as a result of my devotion to Christ. It's not like I was on a street corner quoting Bible verses. But the more I thought about it, I changed my mind. Christ's love for me has forever changed my heart, and therefore changed my life. Even "small" decisions in my life are ultimately a reflection of the love I have received through salvation. And rightfully so. Is it really appropriate to assume that sufferings are not a result of my devotion to Christ then? I'm not so sure. If anything, I'd guess that there are circumstances where it might be difficult to "connect the dots" back to Christ, but that ultimately that is where they do all go.
Ironically, my last trial challenged my spirit in an area that I would consider to be weak in my Christian faith. It involved making a very bold decision. I am by no means bold. Brash? sometimes. Loud? I can be. But bold? Nope. I much prefer to be the shrinking violet that goes unnoticed in the corner. No waves or ripples here. This particular decision, in my opinion, didn't involve making ripples or waves, but it did involve putting myself out there and taking a huge risk. It didn't end how I had envisioned, but part of me is starting to think that it is better than I had planned anyway. I've been watching the movie "Something Borrowed" [humor me...] I was a huge fan of the book which, despite the questionable behavior of characters, is an interesting examination of the human heart along with what we prioritize and how we limit ourselves based on the perception of others. Anyway... there is a scene at the beginning of the movie where Darcy is giving a speech about her friendship with Rachel, whom is celebrating her 30th birthday. A poignant moment in the speech is when Darcy says that Rachel is the reason she can go so fearlessly into the world, "because she (Rachel) is always there. She is always, always there." I love that line, because it is so true! Except insert me(you) as Darcy and Christ as Rachel. Christ is always there. To pick us up when we have fallen. To energize us and tell us "try again." To help us grow into more kind, caring human beings.
I had said I was going to step down as High School Sunday School teacher. Then our classes (Jr & Sr High) were to stay combined. (Stress #1: new class dymanics.) Then our pastor announced his departure from our church. (Stress #2: uncertainty about our Church.) New Youth Group leadership. (Stress #3: new "management", new rules, etc) And no one stepped up to replace me. (Stress #4: overwhelming the other two teachers) High School is stressful enough. I hope that by staying on for another semester I can provide some stability to the class.
Bible Study starts up again this weekend.
Africa plans should be coming to fruition sooner than I can imagine.
With everything I've been feeling, I was wondering "what does it mean to be a good Christian?" As I was looking I found this passage:
"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil" 1 Peter 3:13-17 [NIV]
Ironically, my last trial challenged my spirit in an area that I would consider to be weak in my Christian faith. It involved making a very bold decision. I am by no means bold. Brash? sometimes. Loud? I can be. But bold? Nope. I much prefer to be the shrinking violet that goes unnoticed in the corner. No waves or ripples here. This particular decision, in my opinion, didn't involve making ripples or waves, but it did involve putting myself out there and taking a huge risk. It didn't end how I had envisioned, but part of me is starting to think that it is better than I had planned anyway. I've been watching the movie "Something Borrowed" [humor me...] I was a huge fan of the book which, despite the questionable behavior of characters, is an interesting examination of the human heart along with what we prioritize and how we limit ourselves based on the perception of others. Anyway... there is a scene at the beginning of the movie where Darcy is giving a speech about her friendship with Rachel, whom is celebrating her 30th birthday. A poignant moment in the speech is when Darcy says that Rachel is the reason she can go so fearlessly into the world, "because she (Rachel) is always there. She is always, always there." I love that line, because it is so true! Except insert me(you) as Darcy and Christ as Rachel. Christ is always there. To pick us up when we have fallen. To energize us and tell us "try again." To help us grow into more kind, caring human beings.
I had said I was going to step down as High School Sunday School teacher. Then our classes (Jr & Sr High) were to stay combined. (Stress #1: new class dymanics.) Then our pastor announced his departure from our church. (Stress #2: uncertainty about our Church.) New Youth Group leadership. (Stress #3: new "management", new rules, etc) And no one stepped up to replace me. (Stress #4: overwhelming the other two teachers) High School is stressful enough. I hope that by staying on for another semester I can provide some stability to the class.
Bible Study starts up again this weekend.
Africa plans should be coming to fruition sooner than I can imagine.
What's Important...
My maternal grandfather passed away Monday. He wanted to be cremated, and did not want any visitation or ceremony. My mom has been home the past few days taking care of his affairs. He had no will, so she has to petition the courts for Power of Attorney to settle his estate, etc. Since she doesn't have to deal with viewings and a formal funeral, she has been baking. Because that's what my mother does. Last night I came home to homemade bread and zucchini brownies. This morning I woke up to Blueberry muffins.
Mmmm blueberry muffins and hot tea. The way to sooth your soul, via your stomach.
These past ten months have been a whirlwind. Heartbreak, missed opportunities, risks, and lots of big decisions. There will be lots of soul soothing this fall. And running! In case you're ambitious enough to take on a half marathon of your own, here is my running schedule. You can find these everywhere: runnersworld, fitness magazines, online websites, or even coaches websites, like Hal Higdon. This will be my third half marathon. I like to get more mileage in, especially since I haven't been running this summer and have some ground to make up in the next ten weeks... I have a shorter taper. Typically you reduce running (taper) the last two weeks before your race. The idea is that you hold back and save up energy, so when you are running your race you have extra energy to push through. This schedule has a taper of just over a week.
Mmmm blueberry muffins and hot tea. The way to sooth your soul, via your stomach.
These past ten months have been a whirlwind. Heartbreak, missed opportunities, risks, and lots of big decisions. There will be lots of soul soothing this fall. And running! In case you're ambitious enough to take on a half marathon of your own, here is my running schedule. You can find these everywhere: runnersworld, fitness magazines, online websites, or even coaches websites, like Hal Higdon. This will be my third half marathon. I like to get more mileage in, especially since I haven't been running this summer and have some ground to make up in the next ten weeks... I have a shorter taper. Typically you reduce running (taper) the last two weeks before your race. The idea is that you hold back and save up energy, so when you are running your race you have extra energy to push through. This schedule has a taper of just over a week.
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