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I lost 218 lbs. + 4

My weight update:

I lost 218 lbs of stuff to go to good will.

I actually have 2 bags of clothes from the closet project . . . but I didn’t weigh those.  I didn’t include the bags of trash . . .

I let go of a bunch of physical stuff I didn’t need.

When I let go of the physical “treasures” I felt better physically–I have less visual clutter, I can breathe deeper, my mind isn’t thinking about the projects I will never complete.  I feel lighter.

In the midst of all this I lost 4 lbs.  I didn’t count calories, I went walking twice and I became still in my thoughts as I wrote my entries and thought deep thoughts.

As I worked through some things and identified other challenges that I have (and plan to write about), as I tried had to live in the moment–every moment, I realized that life is so incredibly full.

I began a practice of sitting silently during the day–I put it on the schedule to sit–not sit and fold laundry, school the kids or knit (and being in the car did not count)–but to sit and just be.  Sort of like Yoga Sitting–I think about my breathing, my purpose, my kids come in and out giving me hugs . . . I pray for friends, family and souls I will never meet on this earth.

Peace comes from within.  

I knew that–I wrote about it here.   My first ever post on 12/9/2010.  A two year journey.  And now, just now, the concept has moved from my head, to my heart and now lives deep in my soul.

It was always there–I just couldn’t find it–I was so focused on keeping up with the pace of the life I created–because if I’m really busy then I can’t just sit and think and be intentional.  I couldn’t find peace in all of the boxes of my different collections, I couldn’t find peace in a closet full of clothes that took me to the past each day, I couldn’t find it among books I’ll never get to read or magazines filled with recipes, knitting patterns and sewing tutorials that I will never make or use.

I smile a lot more.  I laugh louder–totally embarrassing my kids!  I feel joy.

Maybe in November I’ll be able to exercise more and maybe count a few calories–lose more weight.  My goal is to gain in joy what I lose in pounds!

Be blessed.

St. Theresa’s Prayer vs. Balance

Today I struggled with balance.  I had a great day being a Mom, homeschooling, picking our own food to can in an effort to eat more natural healthy foods, taking kids to soccer, doctor appointments, dinner and now getting ready for bed.  I like the phrase “I’m going to retire for the evening”, it gives me hope that one day I just might catch up.   I want to retire and dabble . . . not exactly but I’m too young to retire but feeling to old to have two days like this in a row.  But it was an awesome day–I’d rather go to bed exhausted with my kids smiling than anything else!

I had an incredible day but still felt like I should have done more!  Today was non-stop.  I know I’ve already said that but it was like crazy non-stop!  (I’ll stop saying it now because I’m annoying myself)  Then I found this prayer–in my old house I had it on the inside of the cupboard that I opened everyday–giving me many opportunities to stop and read . . . today I want to share it with you.

May today there be peace within.    (Ok, I did not feel the peace today.)

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. (If God meant that I would be in my minivan–than I can trust that.)

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. (I did forget today–note to self work on that for tomorrow.)

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.  (I totally did that today!!!  Score 1 for me.)

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.  (I did feel like a child today–which always makes me feel closer to God when I can break things down into the simplest terms.)

Let his presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing dance, praise and love.  (I am so working with my soul lately . . . work in progress.)

It is there for each and every one of us.  (I’m sharing–although I have had some envy issues the last couple of days–not proud of that . . .maybe another post.  So I am sharing–but not with everyone–that does not make my soul sing . . . ugghhh–note to self–keep working.)

I’ll be linking this up to these wonderful blogs:

Works for Me Wednesday
Women in the Word Wednesday
Living Well Wednesday
Unwrapping His Promises
God Bumps and God-Incidences
Whatever Wednesday
Walk with Him Wednesdays

Thought Provoking Thursday
Thoughtful Thursday
Thankful Thursday
Proverbs 31 Thursday
Life in Bloom
Thrive at Home Thursday