To be FREE, I mean really FREE.....means not caring what others think about me, means not worrying about things I have no control over. To be FREE = PEACE, to be at peace with myself and the world around me.
Do you ever feel like we are living in purgatory? That we will never be completely at peace until we are called home to heaven? In heaven, we will be free from our bodies and all the aches, pains and heartaches that we endure as human beings. Do you ever think that being human is a test of our strength, courage, and character?
Our life is a book, it's "Our Story". We are all faced with challenges, how we deal with those challenges is part of our story. We are all blessed with many gifts, how we treat those gifts and what we do with them is part of our story. Our stories are filled with many experiences, good, bad, happy, sad......because of these experiences we all have accumulated baggage that we carry around with us on a daily basis. We don't realize it, but the baggage weighs us down and holds us back from living a life of FREE*dom!
We started a series at church last week called FREE*dom, part of the series is participating in a small group where you identify and explore the things that hold you back from being FREE! ...You can choose how much or how little you want to share, it's your choice, no pressures. Side note- this type of group is right up my alley, love to be involved in a small support group. Those of you that know my husband, know that this type of group is not up his alley---I asked him if he would consider being a part of this experience and how much it would mean to me if he would try it----and guess what? He is doing it with me---thanks honey, I love you :)....
TOTAL FREEDOM MEANS LIVING COMPLETELY, FEARLESSLY, PASSIONATELY AND JOYFULLY--REGARDLESS OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, NOT BECASUE OF THEM.
I'm going to share with you my experience through this 6 week series, I'm going to remove the mask and share part of my baggage. Not sure how deep in the bag that I will go, time will tell!
There is a book that accompanies the series..... Part 1 of the series is identifying what things hold you back from being FREE through a self assessment. This is what I identified......
Step 1
I had to choose three statements that I circled in the self assessment that stood out to me the most. I picked the following statements:
-Sometimes I lie to keep the peace
-I crave attention
-You really should ask for help (this is a statement that has been said about me or to me) I had to write why this statement was said about (or) to me and I wrote "I try to do it all, because I know it will be done my way and because I derive some satisfaction out of piling too many things on to my plate, so that it overflows.
Step 2
Next, I had to select the statement that resonated with me the most. I picked- You should ask for help. The reason I picked this "thing" is because it is an area that I continually struggle with....I fall in to the "pile too much on my plate" hole way too much!!
Step 3
Next, I had to figure out why I picked this statement. This is what I came up with..
-**I like things done the way I envision them
-I don't want to be a burden to others
-I see myself as weak if I ask for help
-I want others to think I'm strong
These "why" statements make me realize I might believe, that my self worth is centered around what others think of me. This belief statement takes me one step farther when I add the other 2 responses that I picked into the mix......I crave attention and sometimes I lie to keep the peace. Go to step 4 to see what I realize!
**This "why" statement has to do with control and that is a whole other subject that I will write about at another time!
Step 4
I realize I need to FREE myself of being a People Pleaser! My journey through the next 5 weeks will be focused on freeing my self of the "People Pleaser" baggage.
If you want to learn more about the FREE*dom Journey, I will be posting the website on my blog in the next couple of days........so, be looking for the info!
When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others."
- Peace Pilgrim
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Living with my MUFFIN top and BACK FAT!
I work out on a consistent basis, in fact, I joined a boot camp class and I just finished the 7th week--I have 5 weeks left. The class is 3 days a week for an hour. I know I'm getting stronger, I can feel it....arms and legs are looking and feeling firm. The middle section, now that's a whole other story. Still got my muffin top, you know, the excess fat that hangs over your pants waist. Still got my back fat, the excess fat that hangs over your bra on your back (guys you wouldn't know about that).
So, I asked a couple of trainers what I could do to take care of my middle section. Trainer #1's suggestion is more cardio and more protein in my diet
Trainer #2's suggestion is eat all natural foods, no processed food, less sugar and more protein
My typical day consists of the following food- breakfast:yogurt, banana, egg lunch: salad, triscuit crackers, a piece of Swiss cheese snack: apple dinner: some sort of meat, veggies and I drink my share of water all day long. Every once in a while I add a cookie or some ice cream for dessert.
I think I eat healthy.....ok, maybe not enough protein, so I'll add more to my diet, I'll listen to that suggestion. More cardio? I guess I could add more. All natural food? Can only do so much of that---I need my cheese, my crackers, my yogurt, my dessert....sorry, I work my butt off, I'm going to enjoy some foods. It's not worth it to me to eat tree bark to rid my self of my muffin top and back fat.
So.....I've decided, I will do what I can to try to keep my muffin top and back fat from getting bigger----but I'm also going to live my life and enjoy the foods that I like.
My muffin top and back fat is a part of life, I may not like it.....but it's something I have to learn to live with. My middle section doesn't define who I am......what defines who I am is on the inside....it's in my heart and the love that I share, it's in my actions and the things that I do to help others.
So, I asked a couple of trainers what I could do to take care of my middle section. Trainer #1's suggestion is more cardio and more protein in my diet
Trainer #2's suggestion is eat all natural foods, no processed food, less sugar and more protein
My typical day consists of the following food- breakfast:yogurt, banana, egg lunch: salad, triscuit crackers, a piece of Swiss cheese snack: apple dinner: some sort of meat, veggies and I drink my share of water all day long. Every once in a while I add a cookie or some ice cream for dessert.
I think I eat healthy.....ok, maybe not enough protein, so I'll add more to my diet, I'll listen to that suggestion. More cardio? I guess I could add more. All natural food? Can only do so much of that---I need my cheese, my crackers, my yogurt, my dessert....sorry, I work my butt off, I'm going to enjoy some foods. It's not worth it to me to eat tree bark to rid my self of my muffin top and back fat.
So.....I've decided, I will do what I can to try to keep my muffin top and back fat from getting bigger----but I'm also going to live my life and enjoy the foods that I like.
My muffin top and back fat is a part of life, I may not like it.....but it's something I have to learn to live with. My middle section doesn't define who I am......what defines who I am is on the inside....it's in my heart and the love that I share, it's in my actions and the things that I do to help others.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wacky Wednesday- Are you KIDdiNg ME?
Being silly, hey that's me!
I like to sing, and act crazy!
Do you ever take the time to let the kid in you out? If you do, share with me what you do. If you don't, why won't you allow this to happen?
You know, we all have that kid somewhere in us. I love letting that kid out...it feels good! Some of the things I do to let the kid in me out;
swinging on a swing at the park- one of my most favorite things to do, it is fun and brings back so many memories!!!
singing and dancing- for those of you who know me, this is a daily occurrence. I don't care who hears me, who sees me....I just let it happen!!
coloring- i have to admit, i don't do this very often.....but try it, it's fun!
That's all that comes to my mind right now, so sad...there should be more things that I do to let my kid out. The innocence of being young, not caring what others think, asking questions to learn more about the world, playing games like memory, hop scotch, hide and go seek! Having fun.....nap time.....watching cartoons.....having someone read you a book.....eating whatever you want and not worrying about the calories.......exploring the world, right outside your backdoor.
It's wacky Wednesday......do something to let the kid in you out!
A few quotes.....
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. -- Tom Wargo
There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes. -- Dr. Who
Man does not cease to play because he grows old, he grows old because he ceases to play. -- Drew Lachey
I like to sing, and act crazy!
Do you ever take the time to let the kid in you out? If you do, share with me what you do. If you don't, why won't you allow this to happen?
You know, we all have that kid somewhere in us. I love letting that kid out...it feels good! Some of the things I do to let the kid in me out;
swinging on a swing at the park- one of my most favorite things to do, it is fun and brings back so many memories!!!
singing and dancing- for those of you who know me, this is a daily occurrence. I don't care who hears me, who sees me....I just let it happen!!
coloring- i have to admit, i don't do this very often.....but try it, it's fun!
That's all that comes to my mind right now, so sad...there should be more things that I do to let my kid out. The innocence of being young, not caring what others think, asking questions to learn more about the world, playing games like memory, hop scotch, hide and go seek! Having fun.....nap time.....watching cartoons.....having someone read you a book.....eating whatever you want and not worrying about the calories.......exploring the world, right outside your backdoor.
It's wacky Wednesday......do something to let the kid in you out!
A few quotes.....
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. -- Tom Wargo
There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes. -- Dr. Who
Man does not cease to play because he grows old, he grows old because he ceases to play. -- Drew Lachey
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Barb's Sunday Sermon- Daydreaming
It's Sunday....so today I'm going to focus on God!
Today's subject is DAYDREAMING.....I read a couple of daily devotional books, they help me to get my day started. The following excerpt is from My Utomost For His Highest, by Oswald Chambers....
"When our purpose is to seek God and to discover His will for us, daydreaming is right and acceptable. But when our inclination is to spend time daydreaming over what we have already been told to do, it is unacceptable and God's blessing is never in it. Daydreaming after God has spoken, is an indication that we do not turst Him."
This can be hard to understand.....knowing when God is talking to you and understanding what to do.
Are our thoughts, God talking to us, to me? Is knowing I should do something and not doing it, going against what God wants me to do? Not trusting Him?
I believe there are different levels to having a relationship with God. The different levels are...
Awareness Level- Knowing there is a God , Learning about God
Acceptance Level- Accepting God, Following God, Listening to God
Action Level- Trusting God, Allowing God to work through us all the time
I think when you reach the Acceptance level, your thought process changes, you analyze things a little more, you make the choice of following God or going with the odds (doing your own thing) and you are concious about what you choose to do. I am currently at the Acceptance level. I've accepted Him and I am following Him and I am doing my best to listen to Him. I strive to be at the Action level.....really be there, really allow that to happen.
I believe that we all struggle through the different levels of our relationship with God. I do a lot of daydreaming....I am seeking God and trying to discover His will for me.
Where are you on your journey with God? Where do you want to be? Happy DAYDREAMING!
Today's subject is DAYDREAMING.....I read a couple of daily devotional books, they help me to get my day started. The following excerpt is from My Utomost For His Highest, by Oswald Chambers....
"When our purpose is to seek God and to discover His will for us, daydreaming is right and acceptable. But when our inclination is to spend time daydreaming over what we have already been told to do, it is unacceptable and God's blessing is never in it. Daydreaming after God has spoken, is an indication that we do not turst Him."
This can be hard to understand.....knowing when God is talking to you and understanding what to do.
Are our thoughts, God talking to us, to me? Is knowing I should do something and not doing it, going against what God wants me to do? Not trusting Him?
I believe there are different levels to having a relationship with God. The different levels are...
Awareness Level- Knowing there is a God , Learning about God
Acceptance Level- Accepting God, Following God, Listening to God
Action Level- Trusting God, Allowing God to work through us all the time
I think when you reach the Acceptance level, your thought process changes, you analyze things a little more, you make the choice of following God or going with the odds (doing your own thing) and you are concious about what you choose to do. I am currently at the Acceptance level. I've accepted Him and I am following Him and I am doing my best to listen to Him. I strive to be at the Action level.....really be there, really allow that to happen.
I believe that we all struggle through the different levels of our relationship with God. I do a lot of daydreaming....I am seeking God and trying to discover His will for me.
Where are you on your journey with God? Where do you want to be? Happy DAYDREAMING!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Blindness- ability or disability?
I just finished the book 'I am POTENTIAL Eight Lessons on Living, Loving and Reaching Your Dreams' by Patrick Henry Hughes with Patrick John Hughes and Bryant Stamford.
Patrick Henry and Patrick John are a father son duo who have faced life's obstacles and overcome them! They came to my church in January to share their story.......
Patrick Henry Hughes was born with an extremely rare genetic disorder: arms that could not straighten, legs that would never be able to walk, and most devastating of all, permanent blindness. He had been born with no eyes. www.iampotentialbook.com
Their story is AMAZING!!!! If you are looking for a good book, I highly suggest you take the time to read the book..it is very inspirational! Patrick Henry plays the piano, sings, plays the trumpet in the marching band for the University of Louisville, and is going to graduate from college this year with a degree in Spanish. His perspective on life is AMAZING! His story has touched my life and has helped me see things in a different perspective.
This excerpt from the book sums up how we should live our life everyday.....
When you share your unique gifts, you discover the path to your potential the plan God had for you from the moment you were born.
So live now, give now, love now and laugh as much as you can ~ Patrick Henry Hughes 'I am POTENTIAL'
We are all blind in some way...we choose which glasses to put on to view certain situations in our life or to view the world.
It's so easy for us to see other people's blindness, yet not see our own!
We so often get frustrated or struggle with the fact that other's can't see their own blindness. We need to understand that we may need to change our behavior toward others in order to help them see their blindness. We also need to have the courage to look at our own blind spots and to ask others to help us recognize our blindness.
We must also understand and ACCEPT that some people may choose to remain blinded. I encourage you to focus on your blind spots and to do what you feel comfortable doing to help gain a new perspective on the things you currently do not want to see.
Being blind can be a disability, because you cannot see what is going on....sighted people make the choice to be blind to things. Patrick Henry views blindness as an ability...he can't see, never could, but he is able to use his other senses to view the world, or should I say, use his sense of touch to feel the world around him. Is some of your blindness attributed to what you can see with your eyes? Try to view it with another sense...try to see beyond yourself, your fears, your shortcomings.
Patrick Henry and Patrick John are a father son duo who have faced life's obstacles and overcome them! They came to my church in January to share their story.......
Patrick Henry Hughes was born with an extremely rare genetic disorder: arms that could not straighten, legs that would never be able to walk, and most devastating of all, permanent blindness. He had been born with no eyes. www.iampotentialbook.com
Their story is AMAZING!!!! If you are looking for a good book, I highly suggest you take the time to read the book..it is very inspirational! Patrick Henry plays the piano, sings, plays the trumpet in the marching band for the University of Louisville, and is going to graduate from college this year with a degree in Spanish. His perspective on life is AMAZING! His story has touched my life and has helped me see things in a different perspective.
This excerpt from the book sums up how we should live our life everyday.....
When you share your unique gifts, you discover the path to your potential the plan God had for you from the moment you were born.
So live now, give now, love now and laugh as much as you can ~ Patrick Henry Hughes 'I am POTENTIAL'
We are all blind in some way...we choose which glasses to put on to view certain situations in our life or to view the world.
It's so easy for us to see other people's blindness, yet not see our own!
We so often get frustrated or struggle with the fact that other's can't see their own blindness. We need to understand that we may need to change our behavior toward others in order to help them see their blindness. We also need to have the courage to look at our own blind spots and to ask others to help us recognize our blindness.
We must also understand and ACCEPT that some people may choose to remain blinded. I encourage you to focus on your blind spots and to do what you feel comfortable doing to help gain a new perspective on the things you currently do not want to see.
Being blind can be a disability, because you cannot see what is going on....sighted people make the choice to be blind to things. Patrick Henry views blindness as an ability...he can't see, never could, but he is able to use his other senses to view the world, or should I say, use his sense of touch to feel the world around him. Is some of your blindness attributed to what you can see with your eyes? Try to view it with another sense...try to see beyond yourself, your fears, your shortcomings.
Welcome! Willkommen! Karibou!
Welcome to BaRB's Random Blog.......
A random thought came to me this morning while I was journaling......the random thought was that I should share some of my journaling (random Barb thoughts) with the world....so here I am sitting at the computer getting ready to share my thoughts with you!
I call them random BaRB thoughts because this blog will be about my view of life, people, God, and whatever random thoughts may pop in to my head that I wish to share!!!
My hope is to inspire others with my perspective about life and my experiences! I do not wish to push my beliefs on to others, only to share my views, my experiences, and my thoughts. If my blog helps ease one person's burdens then it will serve it's purpose.
I look forward to sharing my world with you!
BaRB
Once you choose hope, anything's possible ~Christoper Reeve
A random thought came to me this morning while I was journaling......the random thought was that I should share some of my journaling (random Barb thoughts) with the world....so here I am sitting at the computer getting ready to share my thoughts with you!
I call them random BaRB thoughts because this blog will be about my view of life, people, God, and whatever random thoughts may pop in to my head that I wish to share!!!
My hope is to inspire others with my perspective about life and my experiences! I do not wish to push my beliefs on to others, only to share my views, my experiences, and my thoughts. If my blog helps ease one person's burdens then it will serve it's purpose.
I look forward to sharing my world with you!
BaRB
Once you choose hope, anything's possible ~Christoper Reeve
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)