A "Genesis week"

I feel like I have so much to say.  The past few days since I've been home I've really had a chance to reflect on my vacation and what it has meant to me.  A recent blog post I read really summed it up for me.  In it the blogger said this,

"Have you ever thought to yourself, you are exactly where you need to be at this very moment. Sort of like...if that didn't happen, this wouldn't have happened, and if that wouldn't have happened, this couldn't have happened. Even our failures play into this scenario and work towards the good."

This isn't really much related to fitness and nutrition in the physical sense...but it has everything to do with the fitness of your soul and feeding yourself the good food your soul needs.
As you could probably imagine, I was greatly disappointed in the fact that I wasn't going to Australia this month.  It was something I had set my heart on since May of last year.  I didn't know how it was to happen, but I was going on faith that it just would be.  I kept that faith until the end of July when it was decided I wasn't to go.  But in a matter of days, my sister had called me and had asked me to then come to Albuquerque to help her move to Texas.  If I had gone to Oz, this wouldn't have happened.
The first two days I was in Albuquerque I essentially packed most all of Rachel's stuff.  This was great for me, believe it or not.  It allowed me to focus on something other than myself and the issues I had been dealing with at work and even the life issues from the past year.  For me, this was not a "pain covering solution" to do this.  It was all about a change of focus.
 A few financial changes in recent months has allowed me to save some money, which was intended to be used during my trip to Oz.  So with this "extra" money saved I was able to buy my sister two new tires that she desperately needed...especially if I was to be driving her vehicle 600+ miles to Texas!  This wouldn't have happened if I had gone to Oz.  Scott drove with me in Rachel's vehicle to Texas.  There's a good chance this wouldn't have happened if I had not been there.
My time spent with Rachel in Texas was a special time of sisterly bonding.  I will treasure this time with her...and I know she treasures this time as well.
This trip accomplished what I had set out to do...to be renewed, rejuvenated and restore peace in my spirit.  It was all that and more.  We laughed.  We played.  We cried.  We talked.  We were sisters!
Friday at work it was pay day, so I was able to catch up with some of my staff.  I was greeted by hugs and "we are so glad you are back!" and on Saturday one of them left me flowers saying they missed me and was glad I was back.  Also, Saturday at work I had a friend of mine tell me how happy I looked...and that she had not seen me this happy in a long time.  Today, in my counseling session the counselor said she could sense as I was talking that I seemed more at peace and relaxed.
Yesterday after church, my kids and I got KFC and went to a local park and played on the playground...ALL of us!  More laughter and smiles from my kids!  and today, it was yet another beautiful day in Southeast Michigan.
This morning I went out in the garden and took some pics.  Taking pics like this, for me, is a perfect way to destress and relax.  Today was all about enjoying the beauty that is all around in this moment...in the garden and even the weeds!(make sure you check out my pics on facebook!)  Today, after I made dinner, which all the kids ate!!!( stovetop grilled chicken and broccoli and carrots) we all went outside and either walked or rode bikes.
All of this,  Strength and Healthy "Food" for my spirit.

Something I've learned over this past month.  If I were to sit and fret over what I was "missing" then I would miss enjoying what was right in front of me.  I am exactly where I need to be in this very moment.

On to things physical.  I have taken up a 10 week "challenge" with one of my friends on another forum.  I got in my first workout today after laying off for nearly a month.  It felt good!  (but I will let you know how the muscles feel in a day or two!)  Eats were good!
Here are today's pics: 

Getting Unstuck....part 2: Genesis

"Getting Unstuck" ...part 2.

"So often, people allow the opinions of others to hold them back and water down their dreams. We have to realize, there will always be critics and naysayers in life. One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life — you do. It’s not what others say about you that affects your life, but what you say and believe about yourself" Joel Osteen

I have to honestly say I have done this, allow the opinions of others to hold me back and water down my dreams.  So how do I get "unstuck" from that?
A few weeks ago I got "slammed" on a personal level.  But it was a wake up call to me.  For someone being so concerned about what other people think about me I didn't show myself  in a good light.  I was angry with myself thinking I should know better because of the way I've been taught.  Here I am claiming to be one thing and showing myself to be the opposite.
Our human nature is that of being selfish and thinking of our own desires and how things will affect "me".  But we can also be selfless, in that we would also help others beyond our own needs and wants.
So as I am processing all of this in my heart and mind these past weeks I've been reminded from several sources that I don't have to believe what others think about me.  I can also turn this negative around to a positive by bettering myself.  So how do I do that?
Every day is an opportunity to Renew my mind.  Everyday we Should Renew our minds!  Everyday is an opportunity to forgive and seek forgiveness....of oneself and others.  I am human.  I will make bad choices.  but it is my response to those choices and how I learn from those choices to make myself a better person because of it.
Mind Renewal is a Daily process.  It is instant, yet it is ongoing!
We are going to get "Stuck".  I think that is a given, but what is not a given is how long you stay stuck.  This quote kind of sums it up.
"Be careful about what you think and what you say during your times of trial and tribulation. The attitude you have while in the wilderness determines how long you stay there."
Getting stuck can be a momentary thing or it can be a long drawn out thing.  It all depends on what you think and say to yourself in those stuck situations.  This is really where our affirmations come into play.  We will always encounter situations or others people's opinions of us that are not "favorable".  Affirmations are our way of Renewing our minds and thoughts to the Truth of who we are and not being stuck in what other's think or say about us...that is why we can have so many affirmations as each day brings new encounters.  Every day I can create a new me.  Every day can be a Genesis encounter.

genesis - a coming into being.  a beginning, creation, starting point..

"God, make a fresh start in me,
      shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. "
(Psalm 51:10 The Message)

Tomorrow morning I leave for Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I will be celebrating my birthday with my brother and sister on Thursday.  I will be gone for two weeks.  I do not think I will have internet access.  If and when I do I will update you all as I can on the trip.  Sunday we will be driving from Albuquerque to a town northeast of Dallas(about a 12 hour drive) as my sister will be moving there.
I will be using this time as a "Genesis week".  I plan on using my downtime as a time of renewal and rejuvenation.