Hi there Journal & Friends,
Maya Angelou once said: "I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one."
I thought of that this weekend, and tried to live it. I'm not too sure I was very successful... in fact, I know I wasn't... but it helped that Saturday was a beautiful day and Sunday I was able to get caught up with some things... sleep among them.
Then I found this little story about Attitude:
Attitude Is Everything
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in
the mirror and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
"Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today."
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror
and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"Hmmmmm, " she said, "I think I'll part my hair down
the middle today."
So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror
and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said, "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror
and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEAH!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"
I'm not too sure how successfully I applied THAT lesson either!
I wanted to...
I tried...
But...
Honestly, it was just a hard weekend. I did all the stuff I know to do, but...
I still felt like a failure.
I still doubted myself, and my ability to reach my goals.
I still felt like what's the use of exercising, since my efforts seem so pathetically small.
I still felt like a phony, and wondered why anyone would want to read anything I wrote.
I still cried.
One Truth carried the day... the knowledge that feelings aren't facts. Feelings are temporary, and come and go capriciously.
They are based upon what we THINK. And I was allowing thoughts to bully me, and intimidate me, and make me feel "less than."
Then I read a post by Deb, which reminded me that NOTHING can separate us from the Love of God. Nothing. At all.
After that, I read a comment from Christina, that made me cry, but in a good way. I had actually said something that helped her. I guess I needed to read that, to reject that voice that was whispering that I was just a useless old woman.
There are always consequences to our choices. Some things can never be undone. But my life doesn't have to be useless or without purpose. I need to remind myself of my dreams and goals.
I need to SEE my dreams again... to visualize them vividly and repeatedly. Thanks for that, Coach Dayne.
I appreciate my friends in bloggyland, more than you know. I visited many of you, and leaned on you a lot over the weekend. Thank you.
From Dr Phil's book: "Having specific, carefully mapped out, vividly envisioned goals is an absolute requirement for success."
My verse for today: "Restore us, O Lord God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved."
My quote for today: "You cannot tailor make your situation in life, but you can tailor make your attitudes to fit those situations." --Zig Ziglar
16 comments:
:) Keep your chin up. You are doing better than you may realize.
I love your attitude!
Aww, Loretta. Sometimes it IS hard. Especially when the scale doesn't move...and other grief or pain lies just below the surface--or even right on top.
It really is okay to feel sad--it's just not helpful to turn feeling sad or discouraged into beating yourself up--instead of just feeling sad. :)
I wonder why we go there? Why we can't just let ourselves grieve and boohoo it, buthave to add self-blame, doubt and loathing to the mix. I, obviously, do the same thing.
BUT, you remembered truth. You believed God. You let His arms surround you. You are continuing to press on. You are a success.
Thank you for being open about this. It gives me hope--and I now I know why I was so pressured to write that post, with those Scriptures.
Deb
Do not fear--when our heart condemns us it is safe to rest in God. He is greater than our heart. I John, paraphrase.
Hi Loretta, first of all, I want to tell you how much you are appreciated by all of us in bloggyland, too.
You may not always feel your worth, but you have always been a wonderful inspiration to so many of us. I haven't always taken the time to comment, but I find such encouragement and strength in your words.
Your blog is one of the first I found when I began blogging back in August.
Sometimes, it IS very hard to remain focused in our fight. Our faith in God is one of the things that sees us through, along with encouragement & support from all of our fellow fat fighters.
I loved the story about attitude being everything. That is SO true! I try to live by it daily!!
You are appreciated more than you'll ever know!!
Hang in there!!
xoxo
Negative self-talk is a powerful thing-thankfully, so is the support of others. Keep leaning on those who care and have your back.
You girl are 110 POUNDS DOWN from your highest weight!! You should be proud of what you have accomplished. You just keep at it and someday, you'll get to your goal. Any small amount of exercise helps.
I just found your blog, and you now have a new follower. Thanks for the positive vibes today!
You useless? I don't know what I'd do without your blog and thoughtful words. If you need a butt kicking, I'm here. :D
Aww, the kitten looks like my Makayla when she was a baby. Awwww.
Small things add up to big things. They can be magnificent. We over look them, never realizing their great value. It's something I wrote about in "Small Graces" that I was going to read yesterday, but there was no open mic. So, will save for later this spring.
When we learn to appreciate small things and value them, we learn something different. A new path.
Don't sell yourself short, nor the things you do. You should celebrate that you're doing all these wonderful things for yourself.
Loretta - I am so sorry to hear that you were struggling this weekend. Here you were holding me during my struggle. Shows your strength and love for all of us - and I for one love you to pieces.
Thank you Loretta, for this beautiful post. I love the story about attitude...as one who can easily begin to feel sorry for myself for "thin hair", a new wrinkle, plain looks...how about reframing my imperfections? The old lemonade from lemons! Hang in there - there's no way you're useless as you help so many, including me, all the time.
Loretta,
Thanks for such an honest post. We all have had times where we feel exactly as you do. Attitude is the key. You have that exactly right.
Isn't it wonderful to have blogfriends who you can lean on? I know I count on those who support me. (you being one). I am grateful.
The Story about attitude really keeps everything we are doing in perspective doesn't it?
xo
Debi
I learned a while ago to never depend on my feelings in most matters because they are temporary.
The feeling that you are a 'useless old woman'...is a false one.
You are not 'useless' to me or the many people who read you and your blog.
the Inspiration I get from you is not because you are positive, it's because you are positive in spite of having some huge difficulties. Acknowledging the difficulties and working through them is a tough and brave thing to do, sharing the struggle while maintaining a consistent thought process and attitude is not phoney...it's the opposite of phony.
It's truth, and it is inspirational.. I aspire to have your attitude in life.
As I am sure, do many others.
Hugs to you loretta. You are doing great.
You are not useless! You inspire me when I don't even feel like I can be inspired. Sometimes your words make me rethink how I am feeling and reset my mood for the day. You are what we all need to hear sometimes and for that I have to thank you.
We all have time periods like this! Remember the first thing you told me? "Sometimes you feel it, and sometimes you don't." Keep it up Retta! You are doing amazingly. Your loss is nothing to sneeze at and your efforts are in no way pathetic! Don't ever stop.
I love your honesty.
Loretta! I wish I could travel across the country and give you a big hug!
Useless? Phony? Failure? You? NO WAY. You are amazing, and I can't wait until you see that.
Your exercise is hardly useless. You pick your routine based on where you are and what you can do. Everyone has different abilities and limitations (physical, time, and otherwise). Exercising is a matter of finding out what you can do, and doing it. You do that. Your efforts are HUGE. You're exercising regularly, and that is wonderful for your body and for your mind. Don't doubt yourself!
You have almost 100 readers, and we love you for who you are. You are a wonderful person, and you have a lot to share. We love reading what you write. You're incredibly motivated, motivating, supportive, creative, clever, fun, funny, and so much more. You've got wonderful information and thoughts to share.
You've lost 110 pounds. That is incredible. You are incredible. Let me quote you: "If you did ANYTHING right, then how can that be a fail? How much healthier are you now than you were before you started this journey?
This is a tough and emotional journey. You're on it, you're kicking butt, and you're offering a hand to others along the way.
I'm wondering which comment made you cry. In case you haven't realized, Loretta, you says LOTS of things that help LOTS of people. That's who you are, and I love you!
Honesty and truth Loretta You have been so kind and a huge motivator for so many. I can always count on your encouraging word.
Here's a few for you ... You are so creative and have caused me to look at things differently and with a graceful eye. You are kind and determined. You are always positive and help me to be the same. It is so easy to go down that woe-is-me road. I apreciate your journey. You have kept me going.
110 freaking pounds that is amazing. We'll make it together :-)
ok, you are not useless, but useful. Especially to me! I need you in the world!
Whats wrong?
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