Running

It is amazing how accurate some people can read into the human heart. I do not know if all that was said in the following quite describes me at this moment, but it is my goal.

"Now, I am glad-- not that you were upset, but that you were jarred into turning things around. You let distress bring you to God, not drive you from Him. The result was all gain, no loss.

Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back on the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regret, end up on a deathbed of regrets.

And now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you've come out with purity of heart."

It is something for my heart to ponder on in this moment of unrest.

Important people

Free to Choose

The thing about choices is that they give a person control. There is so little in the world that we can control and yet the most important thing of all is within that little part.

The bottom line of every situation we encounter is identifying what we are certain about in that situation and then making to decisions to facilitate growth in our lives.

Situation: Conflict in relationships

What do I know for certain: I want to be healthy -spirit, soul and body- and I want my home to be a peaceful place. I cannot control how the other person acts, reacts, responds, etc. I can control ME.

Decision: How can I control my actions, reactions and responses to facilitate peace in MY life and promote health?

A friend told me recently that "indifference is a deafening silence." I think they have a point. Most of the time, people push buttons looking for a response. They speaks words that they know will recieve a particular reaction. They do things that will bring a particular "dance" into play. The receiver may hate the dance but until they change THEIR steps, the dance continues. Indifference brings the dance to a grinding halt. Choosing not to continue the dance means the dance can no longer be danced.

I am changing my dance steps. I am choosing to dance to a different tune... A tune that is not "hooked" by comments intended to create an automatic response. I am choosing not to respond at all to the one trying to provoke the response. I choose to live a life that is not guilt-motivated or performance oriented to the best of my ability. And in that, I am controlling not only the atmosphere of my home but promoting health within my heart.

Letting go is such a huge relief. Knowing that I am only responsible to control what is actually within my control takes so much pressure and stress out of my life. Knowing that I have to be "true" to no one or nothing but what is true in MY heart is FREEDOM.

Looking up

when the butt hit the bottom of the barrel, that is the time that things can only go up. that is the only direction to go.

so thursday all my moaning and complaining had to come to an end.

one final down and three more to go.

feeling good but still a bit apprehensive.

two hardest classes are scheduled for monday but the fourth is a walk in the park.

sunday's run should be a good way to start the week. even if i come in dead last, i have to feel proud that i finished my FIRST 5k.

wow, what a way to go into the hardest day of the week. on the wind of accomplishment...

and now i return to the ball and chain of western civilization and british literature...

good nite all and pleasant dreams...

Insanity

Is it ever 'right' to be rude to a person that continually just doesn't "get it"??? Where is the line between getting your point across in a tactful manner and just getting the point across??? Time and time again, I am amazed when a particular person refuses to hear what I am saying. I say the same thing over and over and it is as if they expect the response to change if only they ask the question 'one more time'. I am reminded of a saying that I once heard on a movie... "Insanity is repeating a particular action over and over and hoping that the outcome will change."

I think I have an insane person in my life and they are driving me bonkers!!!! Unfortunately, I cannot remove them from my life, only distance myself.