"Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American. O'Henry said, It is a time to appreciate our differences, to celebrate them. A season to see anew the diverse landscape that is America, to give thanks for it's spirit and remember it in song." (Thanksgiving of American Folk Hymns)
Isn't wonderful to have one day where everyone comes together and celebrate having friends, family and all the many wonderful things we have been given? It doesn't matter your race, religion, or creed. Thanksgiving Day is a day for everyone to join hands and lift up our voices in thanks.
I have much to be thankful for. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, two beautiful children I had the privilege of bringing into this world, three lovable, laughable dogs, a home, two cars and a job that my husband loves and pays him well. I am thankful for all of the people I have come in contact with through out my life. Each person has had an impact on my life. And whether the impact was negative or positive I learned something from each one. I am thankful for all of the trials I have been given and for the growth that comes from each one. I am grateful for the opportunity to go to school, to be able to acquire as much knowledge as possible while here on this earth. I am grateful to live in a country that has so much freedom and is filled with endless possibilities. I am thankful for every single solidier that has layed down his or her life since the beginning of our nation to further the cause of freedom. I am thankful for our differences as human beings. I am thankful for the opportunity to live, to breathe, to have a body. I am thankful to God for giving me all of these wondrous blessings. He certainly didn't have to give these things to me but He has and I am eternally grateful.
Let us all give thanks for the blessings big and small in our lives. And after the turkey, pie, friends and family have gone let's continue to celebrate and give thanks in our hearts day after day. Everyday you awake and find you have breathe in your chest is a day to be thankful for.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Heal Thy Body, Heal Thy Mind
The body and mind work hand in hand. When your mind is tired or unwell your body feels it. When our bodies are sick and aching our mind shares the symptoms. So if one is healthy and happy the other will follow.
It is our job to keep to keep our bodies and minds as happy and healthy as possible. No one can do it for us. We are responsible for the condition of our bodies and our minds. We need to fill our bodies with healthy foods, plenty of oxygen, get plenty of exercise and rest. We must also fill our minds with knowledge and learn as much as we can. We have to "exercise" our brains everyday or like our bodies they will become weak.
We must also take care of our spirit. We must take time to relax, to sharpen the saw and reinvigorate. We must take time to worship and become spiritually centered. It is vital for us to take care of ourselves. There are many things that wear and tear on our body, mind, and spirit. We have to make sure to help ourselves or we will find that we are too tired, sad, anxious, off balance and weary to go through our daily tasks.
I have been trying to take better care of myself. I need to be in the best shape possible in body and mind to be able to take care of my family and myself. By just changing a few behaviors and habbits I am becoming a healthier and happier person.
I have started working out 6 days a week. It is amazing the change that brings into someone's life. I have so much more energy!! Not to mention that I am slowly becoming happier with the way my body looks. I have lost 8 inches and 5 lbs in the past 2 weeks. :) I love the workout I am doing. It fits my personality and is really fun! Working out helps me to burn away more than calories and fat. It helps me deal with the stress of the day. I am a much happier person when I workout and I have the energy to get through the day. I wish I could get every person to start a workout plan. Some people say that they are to out of shape to do a serious workout. That is SO wrong. It is never to late to start. Some people believe that simply because they are thin they don't need to workout. This is also very wrong. Thin people can be more unhealthy than a larger person. They can even have a higher fat percentage. So big or small everyone needs to get some activity in their day. Whether it is for weight-loss or not. Take a walk, ride your bike, start a class at the gym, just get active!
Food is another important part of how our bodies and minds feel. I have started cutting out how much red meat I eat and eating more fish and veggies. I have fallen in love with Tilapia. We don't get much fresh seafood here but they sell the most delicious frozen tilapia steaks here. I just put some lemon slices, cumin and pepper on them and through them in the oven. Yummy! I have alot more energy and my body seems to be more immune to the colds this season. I guess all of those vegetables have really helped! :) I have even gotten my husband and Emma on the healthy bandwagon. Matthew has given up sugary drinks for herbal teas and Emma will sit down and eat a whole plate of eggplant Parmesan. She also has developed a love for squashes and couscous. Now I just have to work on cutting down on the sugar. I am doing pretty good. So much refined sugar in a diet isn't good at all. Do you know that if people would give up drinking soda (each can is about 10.2 teaspoons of sugar...try eating that straight) they would lose 15.6 pounds in a year, roughly speaking. Imagine that! Refined sugar can cause tooth decay, obesity,hypoglycemia, diabetes and raw nerves which can lead to arthritis and osteoporosis. There are many other problems it can cause on top of these. It may taste good but it really isn't all that great. By cutting it out or down to a very small amount we are doing our bodies and minds a big favor.
It is amazing to me that by simply starting to eat healthy and workout how much better I feel. I am happy, I feel healthy and I have energy to spare even after staying up all night with a baby. I am trying to take care of my body and my mind. Rest and doing things that relax me help to keep my mind at ease, which in turn relaxes my body. It's amazing how it all works together isn't it? So do something good for your body today. Take a body inventory and see how you are feeling today. Then change something in your life to make it better. Go for a run, get rid of all of that Halloween candy that is calling to you, grill instead of fry, or try some relaxation techniques. You will be amazed that by healing your body, you will help heal and restore your mind. Take care of yourself and live well, you only get one body.
It is our job to keep to keep our bodies and minds as happy and healthy as possible. No one can do it for us. We are responsible for the condition of our bodies and our minds. We need to fill our bodies with healthy foods, plenty of oxygen, get plenty of exercise and rest. We must also fill our minds with knowledge and learn as much as we can. We have to "exercise" our brains everyday or like our bodies they will become weak.
We must also take care of our spirit. We must take time to relax, to sharpen the saw and reinvigorate. We must take time to worship and become spiritually centered. It is vital for us to take care of ourselves. There are many things that wear and tear on our body, mind, and spirit. We have to make sure to help ourselves or we will find that we are too tired, sad, anxious, off balance and weary to go through our daily tasks.
I have been trying to take better care of myself. I need to be in the best shape possible in body and mind to be able to take care of my family and myself. By just changing a few behaviors and habbits I am becoming a healthier and happier person.
I have started working out 6 days a week. It is amazing the change that brings into someone's life. I have so much more energy!! Not to mention that I am slowly becoming happier with the way my body looks. I have lost 8 inches and 5 lbs in the past 2 weeks. :) I love the workout I am doing. It fits my personality and is really fun! Working out helps me to burn away more than calories and fat. It helps me deal with the stress of the day. I am a much happier person when I workout and I have the energy to get through the day. I wish I could get every person to start a workout plan. Some people say that they are to out of shape to do a serious workout. That is SO wrong. It is never to late to start. Some people believe that simply because they are thin they don't need to workout. This is also very wrong. Thin people can be more unhealthy than a larger person. They can even have a higher fat percentage. So big or small everyone needs to get some activity in their day. Whether it is for weight-loss or not. Take a walk, ride your bike, start a class at the gym, just get active!
Food is another important part of how our bodies and minds feel. I have started cutting out how much red meat I eat and eating more fish and veggies. I have fallen in love with Tilapia. We don't get much fresh seafood here but they sell the most delicious frozen tilapia steaks here. I just put some lemon slices, cumin and pepper on them and through them in the oven. Yummy! I have alot more energy and my body seems to be more immune to the colds this season. I guess all of those vegetables have really helped! :) I have even gotten my husband and Emma on the healthy bandwagon. Matthew has given up sugary drinks for herbal teas and Emma will sit down and eat a whole plate of eggplant Parmesan. She also has developed a love for squashes and couscous. Now I just have to work on cutting down on the sugar. I am doing pretty good. So much refined sugar in a diet isn't good at all. Do you know that if people would give up drinking soda (each can is about 10.2 teaspoons of sugar...try eating that straight) they would lose 15.6 pounds in a year, roughly speaking. Imagine that! Refined sugar can cause tooth decay, obesity,hypoglycemia, diabetes and raw nerves which can lead to arthritis and osteoporosis. There are many other problems it can cause on top of these. It may taste good but it really isn't all that great. By cutting it out or down to a very small amount we are doing our bodies and minds a big favor.
It is amazing to me that by simply starting to eat healthy and workout how much better I feel. I am happy, I feel healthy and I have energy to spare even after staying up all night with a baby. I am trying to take care of my body and my mind. Rest and doing things that relax me help to keep my mind at ease, which in turn relaxes my body. It's amazing how it all works together isn't it? So do something good for your body today. Take a body inventory and see how you are feeling today. Then change something in your life to make it better. Go for a run, get rid of all of that Halloween candy that is calling to you, grill instead of fry, or try some relaxation techniques. You will be amazed that by healing your body, you will help heal and restore your mind. Take care of yourself and live well, you only get one body.
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