Monday, September 20, 2010

DAY 403 Choosing to See the Rainbow In the Midst of the Storm


Good morning, Journal & Friends!

Instead of whining yet again today about not being able to post pictures, hows about I make this a THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT post??

My world has been rocked lately with all this stuff about MyGuy's job being up in the air... which rocks our financial world, which rocks our future. 


(Insert amusing and/or nostalgic photo of an adorable toddler on a rocking horse... can you see it?)

But at the same time the tough stuff is going on, there are also GOOD things, if I will SEE them... have eyes to see, and a heart of gratitude. I am really working on that. And you know what? I found some stuff. :-)

(Now insert a goofy happy kitty face here... got it?? See? You have quite the imagination)

Okay, in no particular order:

**MyGuy has been having chest pains for over 2 months. The results of his Stress Test came in last week: he passed with flying colors. Not only that, they said for his age (61) he has "above average exercise capacity". His heart is fine!

(Insert svelte gorgeous woman jumping up and clicking her heels in joy shouting Yeehaw!)

**At the beginning of last year, my blood pressure was known to climb up as high as 170's over the high 90's. 
NOW, at the last doctors visit recently, it was 129/72.


**For years whenever I wore shoes with a strap that went around my heels, I had to ask Jim to pull it into place. 
NOW, I can reach to do it myself.


**I used to need at least 3 hours to shower and get ready to go somewhere, and by then I was exhausted and wished I could just go back to bed. 
NOW, I can get totally ready in 2 hours, and still feel spunky and ready to go.



**I have areas on the bottom of my feet that need "grinding" occasionally... you know, the hard callouses that build up and become sore to walk on. Jim had to work on them for me in the past. 
NOW, I can reach to do it myself.


(Insert picture of little kid with dirty smudged face, proudly saying "I do it myself!")


**At my highest weight of 460, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, and had to use a machine at night to keep me breathing while I slept. The setting was a high 14.
NOW, they recently re-tested me and I was able to reduce the pressure of the air blowing into my nose from the tubing to a more comfortable 7. The lowest setting on the machines is 4, so in time I am very hopeful I will be able to totally be OFF that machine!!


(Insert celebratory fireworks bursting into a midnight blue sky... can you hear them going off??)

Even when things are whirling around fast and confusing... if I can just slow down long enough to tune in, I can find things for which to feel thankful. And for THAT, I am thankful. ;-)

Today's Peek at the Past (This was so perfect for what is going on in my life right now, I just gasped! It was from 1 year and 1 day ago.)

From Day 41, September 19, 2009:

"Imagine if those
 with the hardest thing to overcome
 were actually the most blessed"

To have that perspective BEFORE I got to goal, I would have to include things like:
  • Gratitude, for all I am learning along the way
  • Hope, for a positive outcome
  • Trust, that it will work out for my ultimate benefit
  • Determination, to reach that goal in spite of obstacles
  • Imagination, to see into the future a victorious outcome
  • Courage, to plunge ahead into an unknown future, but knowing it contains rewards for my efforts

(For complete post "A Can Opener for the Mind" click HERE

From Dr Phil's book: "You must never relax your watchfulness over your thoughts, feelings, and actions."

My verse for today: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."

My quote for today: A Native American elder explained their tradition in which they believe we all have within us a "Good Dog" and a "Bad Dog", that will always be fighting to be in control. When asked which one wins, he simply replied: "The one that you feed."

Enjoy the Journey,

Loretta
=^..^=


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those are all wonderful things to be happy about, Loretta! :) Great post!

South Beach Steve said...

Loretta, you really have a lot to be thankful for. What a year!

Anonymous said...

First, The look-back: I am once again hearing music from the Twilight Zone...

Second, What wonderful NSVs!! Absolutely wonderful!!! Especially the CPAP!!!!!!!! Wahoo! You will absolutely be off of that thing. No wonder the rresistance is so strong against your forward progress.

Third, Uh-hmmm. Yes, I CAN see the pictures. chuckle. I can be good like that. chuckle.

your the best, WLW!

Deb

WWSuzi said...

Wonderful things to be thankful for! Sometimes it's hard for us to "see" the good things and we just focus on the bad.

Jules - Big Girl Bombshell said...

NOW your talking...THOSE are certainly numbers to be PROUD of! CONGRATULATIONS!

Christine said...

yes. The people with the most to overcome are the most blessed. God gave the hard things to the people who could learn from them. So yeah.
Great job on all your health wins.
I can't wait till you are off the machine completely. Won't that be the day.

M Pax said...

Hope your stresses are reduced soon and the uncertain clouds lift.

Your victories are fantastic. Did you imagine these things a year ago? A year from now, I'm sure the list of victories will be longer.

They say in every storm is opportunity. I'm glad you see a light. We must just believe everything will be all right. Seems to me, as long as we put the effort in, it usually ends up OK.

Sugar Bush Primitives said...

I am so glad you have good things happening in your life. It's really easy to get bogged down by some of the other stuff. Here's to continued good things happening in your life!

Hugs,
Mary

MargieAnne said...

Tough times for so many of us.

Thanks for this post. I hope you'll find something helpful on my Blog in the next few days. I've decided to write out my talk for Friday's meeting on my Blog. It will also help me to focus and keep the talk to the point I hope. Joy through suffering etc.

You know when you have a subject you end up having to live it!!! I'm having to dig deep. Posts like yours are a huge help.

Blessings

Shelli Belly said...

What amazing strides. How wonderful to see the improvement in so many different ways.

Genie @ Diet of 51 said...

Hi Loretta,

Those are some amazing accomplishments (and very honest revelations about the challenges in your life). And, yes, I could see your graphics!

You don't have to rely on pictures. Your words are plenty powerful. Think Batman punching his fists with the words flying. Sha-zam! POW! Knock-out! WHAM!

MizFit said...

inspiring as always.

youve come so far and done so much in a year.

Anonymous said...

I believe God Blesses when we concentrate on the good things in our lives, especially when we're going through something difficult.

You definitely have lots to be positive about!

Shelli Belly said...

I had to come back and read this again. Now I can get through my afternoon.

Love ya

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