Making an effort to just BE!

Happy Sunday to all...It has been a somewhat low-key day in these parts.  Church, errands, more errands and a nap for me.  I am feeling a bit under the weather tonight and am hoping that it is just allergies! 


I have made an effort this weekend to disconnect a bit, take a break and get some rest.  I think I was able to accomplish that to some extent.  It is good sometimes to take a step back, breathe and make an effort to just BE.  

I have a busy week ahead and have several things to look forward to this week.  I am hoping to get in a few good workouts and continue this Journey with the same intensity and inspiration that I have had from the get go! 

As I have said many times, this blog is not always going to be pretty...with rainbows and fluffy clouds and unicorns dancing in tall green grass! But it will be as honest as I can be within the context of this Journey.  So having said that, despite the fact that I am having a bit of a bumpy ride for the past several days, I am still fully committed to this Journey, still inspired, still dedicated and still human...which means that I will have triumphs and stumbles along the way. 

I hope you will all bear with me and know that God is in charge of this Journey...despite my efforts to take over! 

I am ready for this week #25 and am willing walking into the next chapter of this year long Journey! 

I received an incredibly kind, heartfelt message from my dear, college roommate extraordinaire today on Facebook.  It really served as a reminder to me that I have so much amazing support and God has big plans for this Journey and ALL that means. 

I talk a lot about knowing that this Journey is about so much more...than just losing weight!  I believe that with every fiber of my being!  It is evident to me in so many ways and if I ever start to doubt that or forget...it seems that I receive something like this...a note from a friend or even a stranger.  I have learned that if I listen closely...I can hear God!  So thank you Marian.  I hope you do not mind that I am sharing an excerpt of your very kind message with everyone.  You can know that your words are priceless and that today I heard God in your words.  Thank you for walking this walk with me...You have reminded me and are proof..that I am just a very small part of what God has in store!



You are going through this weight-loss-get-fit-for-life journey and we are all pulling for you. Somedays, I feel like I'm on it with you and that's exactly what I'm trying to put into words. You make others around you want to be with you on this journey. It isn't a conscious thing, I"m sure, it's just who you are. Here I am over a thousand miles away from you and I am moved by what you write, changed by what you are going through, and reminded that life is so very precious...
 
I am so thankful for your blog. It has pulled me out of some real "poor me" days. I read it and I know that you are experiencing some rough days and somedays wonder if you'll ever reach your goal. Well, I don't doubt that you will, not for one second. It might not be in the exact time you planned, but I think God has you on a Journey of Discovery. I think that you are learning more about yourself and what is good for you...and I don't just mean healthy food and exercise. In the process, your journey, as you share it with others, has had that ripple effect. YOU are changing our lives too! 

Before I go, the sermon at church this morning was about Jesus being The Good Shepherd.  We are his flock and though the below scripture often reminds me of death (I have heard it at funerals all of my life) as I listened this morning...for me, it is really about life.  I read it with that in mind and as Marian says above...Life is so very precious and if I follow the Shepherd..."surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life"

Psalm 23

King James Version (KJV)

 

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.