Posture and Life

Monday, March 01, 2010

I am amazed sometimes at what a difference a posture makes on my dog's behavior. She immediately settles down and is easier to handle if she will just sit. It is easier to get a child's attention if you sometimes cup their head in your hands and definitely when you make eye contact. If I sit slouched in my chair I have a different mindset than if I sit at attention or straight in my chair. I also have different postures in prayer. When I really get down to business it is always laying down with my face to the ground. I love praying on my bed or even in the dark with no distractions. I know this has been studied by someone somewhere, but posture has a lot to do with our outlook on life. A simple change there can perhaps make the difference between a lacking and a productive day. Today I am going to pay a little more attention to how I sit, walk and stand and how they meake me feel. I guess you could call it my own personal investigation!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KHDOESMK 3/1/2010 10:48PM

What's interesting is I had very poor posture before I started working out. It is so much better now as the core and strength training really changed it. And BTW, thanks, will try the "on my face posture" on my bed....good idea for someone older like me! Report Inappropriate Comment

GOSPELCLOWN 3/1/2010 3:12PM

We need to be reminded of posture so that we can help our heart pump and our lungs work too. I'm a prayer sitter but DH likes to kneel. I have to work on that also. Karen Report Inappropriate Comment

LITTLE-LORI 3/1/2010 3:02PM

I always like to kneel down by our bed to say evening prayers. At first, DH didn't see the point, but now he will do it with me. I just told him that it makes me feel more "reverent", more connected somehow. I just thought it was because I was taught that way, but now that you mention it, I think it is a type of posture! Report Inappropriate Comment

IUHRYTR 3/1/2010 1:42PM

Hmmm. Never really paid attention to posture except to stand up straight, don't slouch and the other admonishments from parents when I was young. Now I need to do my own investigation, too. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

What's your Motive?

Saturday, February 27, 2010

What are your motives in serving God? Jesus asked the blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?" The man received what he asked for because of his faith. Some want to serve God for wealth and riches. Others, it may be for freedom from what torments them. Others, simply to fit in. We have as many motives perhaps as there are people. He who is forgiven much loves much. We appreciate Him more for what He has done for us if we have really blown it in life. That is in no means a reason to really blow it either. I don't care what others think of me, to a certain extent that is. It hurts me when others think things of me that are not true or belittle my faith in God. But I will never doubt His existence or hopefully ever turn my back on Him. Peter was sure he would never deny Him, but he did, so I am careful of what I say I will never do. Some followed Jesus because of the miracles or the food that was provided. Are we shallow in our beliefs or do they have some kind of depth? I love Jesus because He is my deliverer, friend and savior. What I had without Him isn't worth trying to regain.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KHDOESMK 2/27/2010 9:57PM

Amen and AMEN! Report Inappropriate Comment

VIOLINLADY3 2/27/2010 1:04PM

God really is great! You should see the video link I just posted in my blog it addresses this issue. God is not here to make our lives comfortable! Report Inappropriate Comment

IUHRYTR 2/27/2010 1:02PM

When I came to know the miracle of people and things I came to realize there just had to be something or someone behind it all. It's simply to mind-numbing to believe all of life happened by accident. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

NJMATTICE 2/27/2010 11:37AM

Thank you for sharing your journey with the courage of your convictions. -nj Report Inappropriate Comment

3CATSLEP 2/27/2010 11:25AM

Oh, how beautiful! I love God because He is the creator of all things, including me, and my purpose is to please Him, worship Him, honor, Him and spread His Word. Have a wonderful day, sister! Report Inappropriate Comment

Sabotage

Friday, February 26, 2010

Sabotage comes in all forms. When it comes to weight loss of course it means you eat more calories than you should or you desire the wrong kinds of food and give in to the temptation. But sabotage can come in other parts of our lives as well. We can sabotage our success by saying something stupid that gets us fired instead of promoted. The key is to recognize our trigger points and deal with them in a rational way.We must confront the uncomfortable realities in our lives and character. If we must, sometimes seeking the help of a qualified professional may unlock the keys to our behavior. This can either be in the mental health field or it can be the clergy. As we keep our goals in focus and learn to know ourselves better and what motivates us, we will find ourselves succeeding in all areas of our lives. I need to wake up today and know myself a little better so I can quit doing that which sets me back. I am worth the goals I have set for myself, They are attainable, for me not just for others. I will look at each hurdle as an opportunity to succeed, not another chance to fail. I will rise up to meet the challenges I have set for myself within my own head and will let no one, including myself, deter me from where I want to go. Success is mine to have in all areas of my life. Others have done it and I am no different.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VIOLINLADY3 2/26/2010 7:06PM

Good attitude! We can do it! Report Inappropriate Comment

LITTLE-LORI 2/26/2010 1:43PM

Go Cindy!!! You WILL do it!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

IUHRYTR 2/26/2010 10:53AM

Others have succeeded and so will you. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

Needing ideas

Thursday, February 25, 2010

I approach everything pretty much the same way. If I cannot enjoy it, I don't want to do it. If my relationship with God is too forced and legalistic, I back off until the joy returns. If I can't lose weight enjoying the food I eat, what's the use of changing my happy lifestyle for a miserable one? Now I am forced to confront something else unpleasant, high blood pressure. I was on one med that dried me out too much so I changed. I will give it a little longer to adjust my body, but my blood pressure is going back up. I have gotten away from my healthy diet somewhat and haven't been getting my fruits and vegetables in as well as I had been. I have been going a little too much into the convenience end of things and not tracking like I should. I just told another member to get creative in her solutions to things she is facing in her life and I know I am speaking to me in this. Creativity is who I am. I love to do needlework, paint, sew and all that. So now it is time for me to create a tricky way for me to get me doing what I know I need to without me realizing I am doing it. Hmmm how will I trick myself this time? Exercise is still a have to, not a want to, but I am trying to do something deliberate every day. Any good ideas??

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DEBBIE98632 2/25/2010 2:55PM

I've been thinking about a balance ball. I think it would help strengthen our core!! I also like to walk up and down the stairs in my house for variety...I challenge myself with how many flights I can get in between commercials break of a favorite tv show. I LOVE water aerobics (I've been looking for a class!) Great exercise and you don't tend to 'feel' the pain quite as bad... Report Inappropriate Comment

GOSPELCLOWN 2/25/2010 12:36PM

How to get creative? I bought a balance ball. So now I do the videos and sit up, stretch and crawl. Then I added hand weights to up the ante more... My arms are getting stronger along with abs (my core.) My lower parts were lazy. Just walking's not enough... So now I have a skipping rope to help me get more buff. My roller blades are dusty but I've bought some wrist supports My activity just rolls along! I dare not yet wear shorts... We're shopping for new bicycles; the one I like has gears. I feel so brave to see the trails. I haven't biked in YEARS! I'm trying things from head to toe; for muscles and my breath I switch it up and change it. VARIETY OR DEATH! Gosh, I wish writing poetry used up more calories... K. Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKSDIDIT 2/25/2010 12:03PM

Cindy, I needed to read your post this morning. I so relate to what you were saying. I'm brand new to Sparkpeople. I've been browsing around the website and finding so much inspiration. I bought The Spark book and started reading it last night. I'm only about 30 pages or so into it, but I started to relax, I started to take deep breaths while reading it. What I like about it so far is identifying goals. Short term, midterm and long term goals. So, instead of thinking about the total number of pounds I have to lose, and fretting over what type of exercise I will be able to handle, all I have to do right now is start with short term goals - drink more water, adding better food choices to my day, start to track my food intake, take a short walk, etc. In reading your post, I felt for you because having a "wrench" thrown into the works, being diagnosed with high blood pressure, can be very discouraging. I, too, always back off from whatever is not offering me joy. A friend of mine offers me this advice whenever I am in that place: "Act as If." She suggests to follow your routine, even when you are not totally feeling it; praying even though you are not feeling it. So, I've tried it and most of the time it works. Another interesting suggestion from the book is starting a "Streak" - identifying a short-term goal and sticking to it every day to keep the streak going. Am I strong enough to keep any of these short-term goals going? I'll keep you posted to let you know how well this works for me on my new Sparks journey. I wish you the best! Report Inappropriate Comment

KATIEJO5 2/25/2010 11:42AM

Cindy, these 10 minute or less videos on Spark are a super help to me. They are short but powerful. I just commit to do one and often I will feel better and am able to do more. I will also move to some of my favorite songs (notice I didn't say dance- it's not that graceful!) My all-or-nothing mentality gets me in great trouble! Do what you can do- it is powerful! Report Inappropriate Comment

JBSLIM2010 2/25/2010 11:37AM

You can do it!! I took myself off all meds and made a vow to myself that I can live the life that God designed for me. The money that I was investing in doctors, prescriptions and fast food went towards my gym membership. I workout in the gym, walk around the lake and switch up so that I am not as easily bored. I know this is not a chore this is for life... a commitment to me. What i noticed is that since i have stopped drinking and watching salt, sugar intake my pressure is wonderful even without pressure pills. It is possible!! It takes work, make that commitment to yourself. Find a good support system and get them involved! Your worth it!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LITTLE-LORI 2/25/2010 11:21AM

Cindy, you're not alone! I've been thinking all morning, "I've got to think of something besides going up and down stairs to get my fitness in!" It's what is available to me, but the same muscles keep being used; I need to do something different! Unfortunately, I am also looking for something, so I'm not much help! Lori Report Inappropriate Comment

In His Presence

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

There is no better place to meet the challenges of today than on our knees. It is on our knees that we find strength, peace and hope. It is there that we find the answers to the situations which perplex us. Prayer is the place of intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Father. It is where our spirit learns to call out to His, sometimes with words we cannot understand, sometimes with tears. As we make our requests known to God we find peace because it is no longer us who must come up with the solutions, but it is securely in His more than capable hands. Intimacy with God is forged in times of quiet, just visiting with Him about all that concerns us. It is there He becomes most real to us. The peace that passes understanding comes from times of prayer. So many rush through their day saying they don't have time to pray because there are so many more pressing issues. Ever think that perhaps the times of stress might be lessened if we would just take a few minutes in His Presence? I seem to get so much more done in my day if I will only give Him first place. My attitude is far better when bathed in His Presence. I am more clam and worth being around if I will only sit at His feet. Look at Mary and Martha. I'd rather be Mary. Our priorities are clearer, our dreams more attainable in His Presence. My ministry is far more effective if I will only be with Him, if I will take Him with me through prayer. Everything I am and all that I have is far better when I remember to ask Him along.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VIOLINLADY3 2/24/2010 9:53PM

I'm definitely praying right now! Supposedly the neighboring county to mine is going to be cutting their elementary strings program in the schools. This means scores of teachers without jobs and no equivalent work available anywhere in the neighboring counties. Three whole years of instruction would vanish from one of the leading counties in the country. It is so sad. I worry about my job too. I think I'm ok for next year but my county tends to do what our neighboring county does. I would appreciate your prayers. Report Inappropriate Comment

PURPLELVR7 2/24/2010 8:27PM

Thank you, the blog is great Report Inappropriate Comment

3CATSLEP 2/24/2010 6:08PM

Another simple yet beautiful blog. Thank you dear sister in Christ! Report Inappropriate Comment

IUHRYTR 2/24/2010 3:58PM

So very true. There are numerous times throughout our days to give thanks for the day's blessings. Be well. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

NJMATTICE 2/24/2010 2:52PM

Thanks for the reminder. -nj Report Inappropriate Comment

RSSSLHB 2/24/2010 12:32PM

Amen Report Inappropriate Comment