Food For Thought: TRY EVERYTHING!

Hey positive people! As some of you may know, especially if you are one of my Facebook friends, I usually have an "Affirmation of the Day" which will be my positive thought or declaration for that particular day. Well, today's affirmation is "I see every opportunity that comes my way." and I can't tell you how true that one is for me!

In the past few years my life has drastically changed. Some of you may already know my weight loss story (and if you don't, please feel free to check it out, hopefully my story gives you the motivation and faith you may need to overcome any obstacles you may be having), I've lost over 60 lbs and with that weight loss, I not only changed on the outside but the inside, too. Starting any weight loss journey, whether it be to lose 10 lbs or 100 takes courage and as the weight began to shed, I gained a lot of confidence in myself! Losing weight is hard work! With every pound lost, I gained the self-confidence to know that I can truly do anything I set my mind to. "Seeing every opportunity that comes my way" has kinda' been my mantra every since.

The affirmation, "I see every opportunity that comes my way" basically means TRY EVERYTHING! Just think, what if I had never ceased the opportunity to try a new weight loss program? Or begin exercising? I know that I wouldn't be the same person that I am today! And I most definitely wouldn't be sitting here writing this post to you. We've only got one life to live people! There's no going back. Never let fear hold you back from doing something that could potentially change your life and the lives of people around you in a positive way. In the past year I have tried so many things! Let's see... I've tried out to be a fitness instructor (and passed!), I've went back to school in hopes of becoming a Dietitian, tried my own at home fitness business, inquired about becoming a makeup artist and looked into entering cosmetology school for that, I've started two blogs,... the list goes on and on. Some have been fails, others successes, but nothing beats a failure but a try!  Everything's not for everybody, there's no getting around that, some people have a talent for some things that others don't, and you may give something a try and realize that although you can do it, it's just not your cup of tea and there's nothing wrong with that. But how will you ever know unless you give it a try?

Thanksgiving Thoughts...

My favorite holiday is just around the corner. No, I'm not talking about Christmas (although I love that one as well for what it stands for alone) but I'm actually talking about a holiday that often gets overlooked between the Halloween and Christmas craze and that's THANKGIVING! Thanksgiving is the time to feel gratitude to God for all the good things in life. It is a time to acknowledge the good deeds of fellowmen and be thankful. Life can be very trying. When your child is hungry, your body wracked with pain, or you have no idea where you and your family will find a place to sleep, it's hard to find something for which you can be thankful. So, for just a few minutes on Thanksgiving Day, step outside your situation and just "be". Find something, no matter how small, to be thankful for because in giving thanks, you will be lightening your load, even if for only a moment.

Thanksgiving thoughts are the kind of thoughts that we should have all year long. We should take time for kindness and extend a helping hand to others throughout the year. Don't wait until Thursday, start today! And fill yourself with Thanksgiving Peace that lasts the whole year through!

Life Is Good

You know, sometimes with all the trials and tribulations in our life (we're often overworked, stressed out, worried, bored, the expectations that we had for our life didn't quite work out the way we originally planned... etc.) we forget that life is a blessing and we should just be thankful that we're here. It's no accident or coincidence that we were put on this planet - no matter what the circumstances surrounded around your birth were. Every life is a blessing and carved out way before any of knew any better. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE!!! Hold on to that true statement and never let it go! Many of us do not know what it is yet or some of us know but are finding it difficult to get there, but God's got this! Let Him do the planning for you, all we ever have to do is open our eyes and ears to Him and He will show us the way. Now don't get me wrong, these words are easier said than done, but it can be done if we just trust and believe in Him to order our steps. I say all this to say, LIFE IS GOOD! We, myself included, complain so much about the little everyday things, we often say or think to ourselves that life isn't fair, but as my mother once told me,"who ever promised you that life would be fair?" The answer would be NO ONE. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that because we follow Him our troubles will be light, in fact, it's very much the opposite. BUT (and this a big but) with Him by our side we can endure this world and all it's troubles much easier than without Him.

Hope this encourages someone today to know that no matter what the circumstance or problems you may be facing in this life, that life really is good and a blessing that we should not take for granted.

Consider The Source

Hello positive people! This post will be short & sweet. One piece of advice my father gave me a long time ago that I find helps me deal with any negative person I come in contact with is this: "Consider the source." 3 small words that hold a lot of weight! 

I'm the type of person who has always had a pretty positive attitude. Why wouldn't I? I have no real reason to complain. I was blessed with wonderful parents who gave me a safe, loving home to grow up in, always had clothes on back, food on the table and my home was never short of hugs or kisses. Not everyone is this blessed and I think when you really realize this it gives you a better outlook on life in general.

Have you ever known or met someone who just never seemed to be in a good mood? Their mood depends on day (or even the hour in some cases), they always have something complain about, never a good word to say about anyone or anything, never short of a snide remark or comment to say behind someone's back, jealous, petty...  I could go on and on but you get the picture, just plain negative. I know have! And I'm pretty sure that everyone reading this has encountered people like this as well. I used to get so upset when I came in contact with people like that. I just didn't understand it. Don't get me wrong, I've never been so naive to to think that everyone's life has been like mine or that bad things don't happen to innocent people because in fact they do, and quite often, but my brain never made the connection until I really understood the meaning behind my father's words: CONSIDER THE SOURCE. Consider the source meaning, everyone hasn't had it easy and due to certain life circumstances some people are just going to be the way they're going to be. But you also have those people who have had a great life but are just negative, hateful people for no real reason at all. Either way, they're not changing until they're ready and in the meantime they're really not worth you're time or effort. Being around people like that results in one of several things, you either wind up getting into an argument and/or fight with them, become emotionally drained from their drama causing you to become depressed or upset, or worst of all, start to become just like them! Don't let the negativity rub off on you in any way! The best thing you can actually do is pray for them and keep it moving.

So the next time you find yourself confronted with a negative person, perhaps someone being spiteful or hateful to you or others for no reason at all, take a deep breath, relax and consider the source.