Just a Little Pick Me Up

I am in need of a little pick me up today.  There are days when the Journey feels bigger than my willpower....bigger than my courage and stronger than my fight!

On these days...I try to keep my head down...eyes on the road and prayers on my lips!

On these days...I try to stay away from major decisions...try to keep life simple and trust that tomorrow is a New Day!

Sometimes, on days like today,  I find myself going down that introspective road...seeking some deeply hidden answer or solution...but today...I just don't have it in me...so...instead, I decided to share the following! Just a few funnies and observations....just keeping it real...real light!

Help Me Share the LOVE

So...in keeping with the idea of last night's post...I am here today to spend a couple of minutes "passing on" the Blessings I have received by reaching out to you for your support for our 2nd Annual:

 

 

I have been so incredibly blessed over the past 2 years that I cannot hardly wrap my head around it.  I have had the opportunity to be the recipient of other's kindness, grace and generosity in ways that literally blow my mind.

 

I can tell you that very often I think about how I might "pay back" some of those blessings.  Last year, this event was a celebration of the end of my 1st year on this Journey and a way in which I could outwardly give back in some way...a way in which I could maybe "Pay Forward" the amazing love I had received by the truckloads!!

 

I was surrounded by an amazing group of people who wanted to help me see these efforts pay off by giving back.

 

This year...the blessings continue to light my way on this Journey...

 

I again, am surrounded by a group of people that are brave enough to make this Journey with me again...and again...This event is about giving back in anyway I can...this event is about Passing Along God's Love...as it travels to others.

 

 

I know that many of you are busy, committed to other causes and are overcoming your own challenges.  I hope though, that you will join me for this event.  I would love to celebrate this Journey with you by sharing something that I love with those that I love!

 

 

I have learned a tremendous amount in working to organize and host a charity event and I have a deep respect for those that do this day in and day out.  It is challenging...however, ultimately an amazing experience!

 

As we approach the date of the event, I hope to share with you some of the reasons why I have chosen the charities (Cy-Hope and Good Tiding Foundation)  that we support and some of the amazing ways in which those organizations impact our communities.

 

Over the next several weeks, my posts will include information on how to donate to this event and how to participate by joining us for an afternoon of great family fun!

 

Please take a few moments to check out our event page on Facebook at:

 

Play It Forward-Rally To Serve

 

If you have questions regarding joining us you can email us at

 

rallytoserve@gmail.com or contact me here at fluffy2lite@gmail.com

 

If you find it in your heart to contribute to our event, you can do so via our PayPal account

 

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=KXCBXHSJKWSCN

 

Your support through your attendance, your contributions and your prayers is most appreciated.

 

I hope to see you in August! 

 

Help me share the L-O-V-E!

 



Just Passing Through

I heard a single sentence in church this morning that inspired this post:

We are the recipient of God's Love as it passes through us on its way to others.

The sermon was about giving back...paying forward the abundance of God's Grace and that we have a responsibility to be an active conduit of that Love...

The minute I heard the sentence I visualized "The Wave".  If you have ever been to a large sporting event you have probably been a part of or seen "The Wave"...a ripple effect, on-your-feet kind of cheer that is passed on from one section of the arena to the next until it reaches the opposite side of the arena and potentially continues around and around in a continuous loud, celebration...quite joyfully!

I share often here of the daily blessings and grace I receive as I make this Journey...this Wave of God's unwavering love...as it passes through me and on its way to others.

Without it, I would have never lost a pound, walked a mile, climbed a hill, or faced the challenges of failing health and a rapidly aging body...

Without the transference of God's love from those that are in my daily life and those that are just passing through...I will not have the strength and courage needed to continue on this Journey.

I KNOW that as God's love passes through my life, it travels to me from others...I know this because I have felt it in a gesture, a conversation, a smile, through tears...through joys, through vulnerability and through the strength of those that God chooses to place in my life.

Sometimes I feel God's presence immediately and at other times...it is a slow realization that hits me just like the thunderous sound of The Wave as it reaches the other side of the arena!

I believe that as I receive these daily blessings...these expressions of love...It is my responsibility to get on my feet...and loudly pass on God's love to the next section...to the people that are part of my daily life and those in whose lives I am just passing through.

On my Feet...Arms up...Loudly Celebrating....Sharing the Love as it passes through me on its way to others...on its way to you!

Happy Sunday....Ride the Wave!

Angels Along This Journey

So I feel like I am behind...in general, but specifically, in regards to posting here.

So much going on this last weekend...so much going on this week...so much more to come...

Really trying to keep my focus on my "new" diet and exercise plan...and staying healthy as I, along with some faithful friends/family, are kicking into fundraising/charity event planning gear!
Which of course,  adds a new wrinkle to the whole, ever-evolving work/life balancing act!

Staying healthy has been a bit of a challenge lately as I am in a pattern of daily migraine headaches again...but as they say these days...."Ain't nobody got time for that"!  Any extra anti-migraine prayers you might have to share would be most appreciated!

So...as I have said many times over...my friends and family are often my Angels along this Journey.  They pump me up...cheer me on...tolerate my whining....laugh WITH me and AT me and love me through each day!

This past weekend....I got a much needed dose of family to go along with my Soul Grooves class and time with some of my Angel friends...

These are the people that keep my Soul groovin'! Every Day...these are some of the reasons I am choosing a healthier life.

So despite the fact that I have been perfectly imperfect along this Journey....despite the fact that I have turned a year long weight loss Journey into an epic saga...
I still find that I have a courageous, funny, patient, really patient...troupe of kick butt Angels on my side...all around me!

Here are a few pics!

What Doesn't Kill Makes You Stronger!

Like I was saying...Things are busy...and heating up everyday!!!  WE ARE 2 MONTHS AWAY from Play it Forward-Rally to Serve Year 2!!!!

We are in full gear preparing for this years event!!!  You will be hearing lots about it!!!

So Mark your Calendars...SATURDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2014 AT 1:00 PM-5:00 PM

WILLOWBROOK SPORTS COMPLEX

12539 PERRY ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77070

 

 

 

Of course...I am still working to try and drop at least a few more pounds before the event...just for motivation!!!

 

 

On Saturday...I did another mini-goal challenge...one I had done last year...a doozie of a fitness class called Soul Grooves!!!

 

 

The creator and instructor Tammy Harris is unbelievable and recently won a national contest on the the Kelly and Michael show.

 

 

Here is a clip

 

http://livekellyandmichael.dadt.com/topfitness/instructor/

 

This is no ordinary dance/aerobic class...THIS class will kick thine butt!!! 

 

So on Saturday...my dear friends Brigette, Kathy and her kiddos (shout out to Olivia and Cloie) all suited up and showed to bust our Soul Grooves!!! 

 

Now...given the path of this Journey...it is NO SURPRISE to me...that there is an undeniable depth of "Soul" in Tammy's Groove that makes this class yet one more reminder that God is guiding this Journey. 

 

It makes me smile to think that while I am busting a move ( a sight to see I am sure)...that I SO felt a spiritual "Soul" connection...

 

You see...I had done this class 6 months or so ago...and really felt the "Soul" connection then...but physically it was quite a challenge...especially the next day!!!

 

So on Saturday...I had a bad feeling that I was not going to handle the class physically...I have been having some health struggles and just not feeling strong lately!

 

I had hoped that I would have that same "Soulful" connection and that maybe that would see me through my physical shortcomings!!!

 

But guess what!!!  I did it...Just when I thought "I Can't"...God said, "Oh Yes You Can!!!!  I physically held up...Spiritually held on!!!! 

 

It is so funny to me the way in which God has given me Angels along this Journey...in all forms, shapes, sizes...any number of manifestations...Angels that pull me up, push me through...carry me over and help me rise above the obstacles.

 

Even when I don't believe...these Angels DO!!!

 

Here are a couple of pics!!!

 

Tammy and I...please note the that I am drenched!!! I am telling this is one serious workout!!!

Brig and I with our Soul Grooves T-Shirts!  1st Edition!!!

And lastly...Brigette sent this to me...made me LOL!!!

Generally though...What Doesn't Kill You...DOES make you stronger!!!!

 

 

 

 

 



The Journey Continues...

It has been a jam packed weekend...with lots of fun...family...sports...even a mini goal.  It however...is late thirty...and I have a busy week ahead...but LOTS to blog about over the next few days!

But for tonight...I am grateful!  Grateful that this Journey continues...

Continues to be a blessing

Continues to challenge me

Continues to remind me that just when I think I CAN'T. ..I CAN

Continues to be filled with Angels

And Continues to be filled with God's unrelenting GRACE!

Congrats to Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross for winning AGAIN....they are ROCKSTARS inside and out!

Congrats to the San Antonio Spurs for winning ANOTHER NBA title...

AND Congrats to Wilson Thomas Teague for hitting his FIRST Grand Slam! Like A Boss!!!

GOODNIGHT!!!

One Pedal At a Time

HUMP DAY!!!! 

Man...I am feeling the uphill climb of hump day today!  Drained and Pained!!!

 I am trying to lose 20lbs by mid August...so I have this sense of urgency....which can be a good thing.  AND...unfortunately...I am physically off my game these last several days. 

Last night...I took one for the team...and made my way to the gym.  Now...it is not out of the ordinary for me to make a reluctant walk into the gym on any given day...however, I usually get going once I am there and shake off my apathy pretty quickly...

Last night...not so much the case! 

I am having a few physical issues...no surprise at 47 years of age and no surprise given my less than stellar health history!  So I have a few things to "work around" during my workouts this last couple of weeks...particularly a rather raucous back spasm!!! 

So last night...it was the recumbent bike for me!!  I felt like it was my first time on the bike!!!  Sluggish...Sluggish and more Sluggish...

I turned on the TV (on the bike)...said a little prayer and tuned into the Spurs vs. Heat NBA Finals game...hoping the view of the powerhouse NBA players cruising up and down the court... would help me find my mojo and "rebound" a bit from my sluggishness...One Pedal at a Time!

So hear is the good news...I managed to complete one hour on the bike...burn a few hundred calories and...cheer on the Spurs...

The bad news...well...I am physically struggling a bit...aware that I have "been there and done that" though...I will continue to push forward...trusting that I am still on pace to meet my goal...God's Pace...God's timing!

Prayers as always are welcome and needed...

I did receive the following from an old friend...a friend who has diligently kept up with this crazy Journey to defluff...this crazy roller coaster I am on...She sent me these words as a new mantra:

"Every Day, in Every Way, I am getting better and better." ~Emile Coue


This is a great thought to embrace...Yesterday, I wanted to just drop...lay down and NOT move...but instead...God gave me the strength to move ahead...One Pedal at A Time! That is better!!!