A Good Report

In 2009 I went to my doctor for a checkup.  I was HORRIFIED to learn that I my blood pressure was high and I was going to be put on Hydrochlorothiazide, a water pill used to treat high blood pressure.  I cried right there in the Doctor's office.  As a young girl, I remember my grandmother talking about taking her "pressure pills" and how high certain stressful events (usually having to do with us bickering grandkids or my grandfather) were making her "pressure" rise.  I didn't really understand what that meant but I told myself then that I would do whatever I needed to do not to have to deal with this "pressure" thing.  My grandfather was a diabetic and subsequently became an amputee. I didn't understand what it meant to be a diabetic, but again, I vowed to do whatever was necessary not to develop this disease that required my grandfather to inject himself daily. 

I set out to do this at a very young age and, for the most part, I was doing a decent job at it living a healthy life but still, I knew there were changes I could make.  When my doctor told me that my blood pressure was high I was devastated.  Reluctantly, I said ok and asked how long She said I would probably have to take medicine for the rest of my life.  I really cried then.  I felt embarrassed because my doctor looked at me like I was insane.  I explained to her my childhood commitment to good health.  She said you're doing everything right so you're probably genetically presdisposed to it because of your strong family history.  "I don't care what she says, I'm not living the rest of my life with high blood pressure." 

Fast forward to today, sixteen months later, with prayer, a drastically modified diet, a committed workout schedule, 27 fewer pounds, a life with LESS stress and MORE self-acceptance and love, I was taken off of the Hydrochlorothiazide at my doctors appointment today.  When my doctor told me that I could go off the pills, I wanted to cry.  She told me she was proud of me and encouraged me to keep doing whatever I was doing.  I reached a very big goal for myself and I feel awesome!

You can make changes in your life.  Whatever it is you want to do, you have the power within you to do.  Lose weight.  Become healthy.  Read more.  Save money.  Learn to play an instrument. Go back to school.  Travel.  Whatever your goal is, it's possible.  It starts with prayer and self love.  When you have faith and love and accept yourself, you want better for youself. 

Whole Foods

I am so happy about this and I am committed to living a life that is physically and mentally healthy. 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Salt Lake City

Last week was a crazy one for me.  In six days I traveled from San Diego to Phoenix from Phoenix to Salt Lake City (SLC), from SLC to San Diego and after less than 24 hours at home, I flew from San Diego to Jacksonville.  It was a long and tiring week with way too many early morning flights but I still took the time to find things to appreciate and be grateful for. 

I'm one of few people who love SLC.  It is one of the most scenic cities I have ever been too.  The snow capped mountains give me pause and call upon me to reverence God and His awesome works. 



A Cloudy Day in Salt Lake City

 Today I am most grateful for two things:
1. My job that allows me to travel to places I probably never would on my own
2. The ability to see the beauty of God's creation. 

No amount of riches or pleasure will satisfy a person who is incapable of enjoying the present moment.          -Deepak Chopra

They Are Us and We Are Them

The earthquake and tsunami in Northern Japan has had a horrific impact on that country.  The estimated death toll is 10,000.  The earthquake created a 23 foot wall of water that devastated that area.  I can't even imagine what experiencing that would be like.  The devastation reminds me of how damaging and impactful the earthquake in Haiti was. 

There is a saying that goes something like this:  They are us and we are them.  Essentially it means, they are not separate from us just because we are thousands of miles away, look different, or speak a different language.  We are all one.  Their pain and suffering is our pain and suffering.

My prayers go out to the people of Japan.  My heart aches for the people who suffered tumultuous deaths and to those who remain in suffering and despair, I pray for their safety and strength.

Dear Diary

Journal Entries:
5/26/99:
I have applied for several jobs and had several phone interviews.  There's one in San Diego at California Western School of Law.  California seems exciting...I fly out there to interview on June 7.  I am remaining prayerful and trusting that the job will come through.  A move to CA would be expensive and time consuming but I know God will make a way. 

6/9/99:

Well, I'm back from the interview in California.  It was a wonderful experience and I'm excited about the possibility of getting the job. Next year this time I may be in California.  I am most nervous about being away from my family.  I will miss them tremendously.  I just need to make sure my salary will be enough to make trips home as often as I want to. I am turning things over to God and trusting that He will make a way for whatever He wants to happen in my life.

Beautiful San Diego Skyline

I was going through one of my journals a few days ago and came across these two entries.  I was struck by what I wrote and by what has transpired in my life over the past eleven and a half years.  I realized that God had given me exactly what I had asked Him for:  I got the job at the law school.  I didn't have to worry about the cost of the move out to San Diego because the law school moved me out here.  I have been able to visit my family in Omaha and Kansas City frequently.  So frequent that at one point someone at my home church asked if I had moved back to Omaha.

Coming across this blog when I did was right on time.  There are a few things I have been praying to God for recently.  One of things I have been praying about consistently and I started wondering if it would ever come to pass.  The journal reminds me that God does answer prayers.  Sometimes we need to be reminded about all of the amazing things God has already done in our lives in order strengthen our faith in God to deliver the things we're asking him for now.  

Oddly enough, the one thing that I had been praying consistently about come to pass today.  Once again, God showed up right on time. 

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
                                                                                -Matthew 21:22

Feeling It At the Pump...

Wow, it's been almost a week since my last post.  My laptop died...actually it's still dead (I'm working on a borrowed laptop from work).  I'm back now and ready to share!  :-)

Last Saturday I drove up to Los Angeles for work and to attend my good friend's 40th birthday party.  I filled my car up before I left.  My tank was just about on empty so as I stood at the pump listening to the stream of gas pouring into my tank, I watched the pump dollar display get higher, and higher.  And higher.  Finally, it stopped at $57.68.  I stood there shaking my head thinking, I don't know if I have ever spent that much to put gas in my personal car before.   

Two days later (today), I had to fill my tank again.  Once again I was almost on "E".  I listened, waited and watched the pump display.  During this time a guy pulled up and started pumping gas in his car.  We began talking and he went on a mini-tirade about the high cost of gas.  I understood his frustration.  $4.11 per gallon is pretty expensive.  When he went inside of the store, I began thinking about a time when gas was no where near as expensive as it is now, and even then, there were times when I could only afford to put $5 in here or $10 in there.

When my pump stopped, I put the nozzle away and I looked up at the display.  $60.43.  I was taken aback but I made a choice right then and there about how I was going to respond to the price tag. 

I wished the man well, got in my car and looked up at the pump display once again to confirm the amount.  $60.43.  Once inside my car I took a minute to thank God for blessing me with a car and the means to be able to fill up the tank.  Then I drove off. 

Why is it so easy to settle our minds on the most shocking and depressing parts of our story?  The negative parts.  The part that garners the most attention.  Conditioning forces our attention to drama and thoughts of lack.  When I thought about how much it cost to fill my tank, I immediately felt stress.  When I began to look at the cost of gas from a different perspective, one of abundance and blessings, my emotions immediately changed from feeling stressed to feeling peace and gratefulness. 

When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
                                                                                   -Wayne Dyer

Here and Now!

I woke up this morning and said,  "I can't believe it's March already!  This year is flying by!"   Then I thought, I am so grateful to see THIS day! 
I get excited everytime I think about the future God has planned for me.  I get even more excited when I think about my life TODAY, right here and now!!  Sometimes when it feels as if life is moving by so quickly, it can be easy to to fall into this mode where we focus on the future and forget about the NOW! 

Focusing on NOW can be hard because NOW can be filled with heartbreak, sadness, confusion, disappointment, rejection, and all of the other emotions that can disrupt your thoughts.  Some may ask, how can you be grateful for a NOW that feels like that?  All I can say in response is that it takes work!  I received this mantra from one of my favorite writers, Louise Hay, that I use to help me through these difficult times.  It says:  All is well.  All is well.  Everything is working out for my highest good.  Out of this situation only good can come.  And I am safe!  

I love this mantra and I use it regularly at home and at work.  It puts the NOW into perspective.  It encourages surrender to God. And it reassures. 

I am excited about my future and I visualize it often but I don't discount the present because the lessons I learn now will help shape my tomorrow. 

No need to wait. Life is now. Enjoy, in joy.  -Ralph Marstons