Mother of Six and Vice President of Promotional Products Business
Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God’s best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of one’s self, and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another.- Thomas Hughes
This past weekend we went to our friend’s cabin, and enjoyed a weekend of perfect 72 degree weather with clear blue skies and gorgeous fall scenery. I love the fall season with all the beautiful colors and mild temperatures. I am going to savor the remaining fall days before the cold and snow of winter arrives.
A few days ago, I watched my daughter run a half marathon. It was my first time to participate as a marathon spectator, and I absolutely loved the electric surge of happiness I felt from cheering for the marathon participants especially the brave elderly folks, the handicapped, and the straggler who keeps forging forward. I rate all finishers as winners.
My husband’s employment offers free Yoga classes so he decided to give them a try. He was so impressed with his feeling of well being at the end of the class that he began to share the Yoga moves with me. I was impressed too so I decided to get a beginning Yoga DVD. I wish I would have known how wonderful Yoga makes you feel years ago. I have arthritis in my back and I have gone to chiropractors, massage therapists, lifted weights and tried various forms of weight resistance, and have implemented several exercise programs, but I only found temporary relief. After two months of doing Yoga, my back feels the best it has felt in five years. I love it! If you would like to try Yoga, here is a picture of the beginning Yoga DVD I am using.
I was recently reading in the book, “Spiritual Therapy” by M. Jim Shelton, L.C.S.W. about cognitive therapy developed primarily by Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck in the 1960s. Cognitive therapy recognizes free agency or free will along with the concept that our feelings and emotions are triggered by thoughts.
Albert Ellis says when there is an emotional upset, there is first an activating event which is followed by an emotional consequence. Behavorial therapists agree with this statement. However, Albert Ellis adds another step called our Beliefs or Self-Talk. Here is an example:
I blew my diet and had two pieces of pie at the party. (Activating event)
“What’s the use? I just don’t have what it takes. I’ll always be a fat slob.” (Beliefs or self-talk)
Depression (Emotional consequence)
As you can see, it is not really the activating event or situation that triggered her feelings or emotional consequence, it was her interpretation of the event that caused her feelings. It is her self-talk that caused the depression and not the situation itself.
“Through much training and practice, a person can slowly change the way he or she thinks. The first step is increasing awareness of the way we think and then realizing this way of thinking is not set in stone. There may be a more positive and realistic way of thinking. I ask clients to change their perspective and look at the activating event or situation the same way a trusted friend would look at the situation. I also ask my clients to write down the new and improved way of thinking. I encourage them to do a “Thought Record” and diagram a healthier, positive way of thinking. ” M. Jim Shelton
The above example could be changed to the following:
I blew my diet and had two pieces of pie at the party. (Activating event)
“You splurged tonight but overall I have been doing well. I deserve a treat once in a while. Tomorrow I’ll get right back on my eating plan. (Belief or self-talk)
Some mild frustration but no depression (Emotional consequence)
After reading this, I decided I am going to keep a “Thought Record” and strive to rid myself of automatic negative thoughts.
I am not the type that remembers dialogue from movies, but this quote at the end of the movie, Hope Floats has stayed in my memory.
“Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That’s what momma always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will…”
-Birdee from the film Hope Floats
I sure hope I can make the middle count, and with any luck maybe the ending won’t be sad.
I don’t love fasting or fast Sundays, but I believe in them. Have you ever heard of fast Sunday? Let me explain.
In my religion the first Sunday of the month is set aside to fast for 24 hours with a purpose in mind such as fasting and praying for someone who is sick or unemployed, or asking God to bless us with rain. In conjunction with the fast we are asked to make a donation for the amount we would have spent on the two skipped meals. My church uses these donations to help the poor and needy with food and clothes.
Several years ago, the leaders of my church asked us to ten times the amount of our fast offerings, and that if we would have the faith to give more abundantly, we would be blessed. Although our family was struggling to make ends meet, my husband and I decided that we should exercise our faith by paying a more generous fast offering. Our financial situation did not seem to improve; however, we were able to pay all our monthly bills even though we were donating ten times more to fast offerings.
We have continued the tradition of paying a generous fast offering because it makes us feel good, and brings us peace. Today, we don’t miss the money we pay to fast offerings because it has become a monthly habit that we do without giving it a second thought.
As I study the scriptures, I have realized that generally most miracles come about through mighty fasting and prayer. As I grow older, I find myself fasting and praying two or three times a month to increase my faith mostly in behalf of my children who are making critical lifetime decisions.
When I fast, I not only feel spiritually strenghtened, I feel better physically. I believe for optimum health that the body needs a rest from digesting at least once a month.
When I complete my fast, I appreciate the abundance of many wonderful foods and treats like:
Golden Trio of Treats from Maple Ridge Farms
Pecan Turtle and Cashews in a Green Box from Maple Ridge Farms