One thought...

Have you really taken stock today in what you have to be grateful for?

Look around you.

No, really look around you.

Take it in.

Take a deep breath.

Acknowledge what is really working in your life already.

Feel grateful.

Really feel it.

It's a minor moment that yields great results. And begins to realign our brains and hearts so that we fill up on what we've got instead of what we don't. A lot of us reach for food or the latest diet trick because we aren't spending time really acknowledging our lives. Yes, there might be weight you want to lose. Yes, you've discussed it with yourself and others a million times. But what haven't you said lately about your life? What haven't you noticed? The weight you carry or hold on to is often times symbolic of buried emotions, lost feelings, or a frenzied pace in life that doesn't allow you to just slow down. Slow down a bit to say thank you.

Try it.

Right now.....

Comments

This reminds me of my favorite bible verse; "...The vision still has it's time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late." Habakkuk 2:3

---Every day I read this. And, every day it tells me something different.

---And, every day it also reminds me to be thankful for everything in my life.
(when I choose to listen...)

This post kicked my ASS!
I am just not feeling the gratitude in my life these days. EVerything is always about what I don't have or what I am reaching for. How do we stop this? Why do we do this? Does anyone else feel the same way? I just feel like sometimes I am working so hard for some goal that keeps moving further away. And I am not even talking about my body. In general i just feel so tired from moving, moving, moving. I am a mom of 3 kids and just dream of the day when I can stop rushing. Help?!!!

Kristy, Simplify your life. A few years ago I started and I 'feel' sooo much better. Give away/donate/throw away 'stuff'. I still have a ways to go, however, with everything I get rid of, it makes me feel like the weight on my shoulders is lighter.
-and-
When we stop reaching towards a goal, we become stagnant & shriveled, depressed & mopey. I (try) to be grateful for what I DO have in my life at the moment. Yes, there is always something else I want that I don't have. However, to be grateful for little things (a smile, a beautiful day, a close parking space) is actually a big step. And to be grateful for big things (God, children, a roof over your head, heat, etc...) is an even bigger step.

Thank you! I have been suffering through eating disorder recovery for a long time. I have almost died several times and this holiday season has been exceptionally hard. It is not about food, and more often than not I realize it is about feeling isolated from those who love me. In stopping and taking the moment in, I am able to see everyone aroudn me who loves me. I am grateful for them and know that i have a full life without the need to fill myself up with food ( that does not work). No matter how good a brownie is, it does not give you that feeling of love the way another person can. My eating disorder is a result of starved affection, and in looking at my life, I cannot help but see that I had affection all along.
Thank you! : )

I've just signed up for the community challenge starting Jan 4th! I'm very excited! I'm so tired of trying this by myself...I look forward to journeying through this challenge with all of you!

I'm signed up. Not because I think I have to lose a ton of weight or that I'm fat...but more to work on the way I eat (want to be healthier), to exercise more (used to but it fell to the wayside) and to feel see the good in my life. This post is a great way to start it all off. I am lucky to have a wonderful fiance, a great (and large) family who supports me and a pretty darn healthy bod. I'm lucky. And sometimes you have to remind yourself of that. Best of luck & happy holidays to everyone!

Kathy: Your message was something I really needed to hear. You are so right about being grateful for the little things. It often makes you even more grateful for the big things. Thank you.

My husband & I recently split up on OK terms after only 11 months of marriage. He has friends locally & a great social life. I on the other hand have great life long friends but that all live out of state. We live in the home town that we grew up in but still I feel so alone. I can't bug him to "give me a social life as well". I'm lost. I do not know where to look to "find freinds" locally or find fun things for me to do on my own to get my mind off our recent problems. Any suggestions what a small town girl can do?

Teresa, Do you like to read and have a library? You could hang out there and possibly make friends with some of the patrons or even the people who work there. (reading is a passion of mine). Another passion is rubber stamping & scrapbooking & I have met some of the most wonderful people through becoming a demonstrator for Stampin' Up!(c). Some have become very close friends and I thank God that He brought them into my life. What about church? Does your town have a church that has a young adult (I don't know how old you are) group? Hope any of these ideas will be helpful. And, I'll be praying for you!

If there is a yoga class in your area you may want to give that a try. Its great for the body & mind and I've always found my fellow yogis to be terrific individuals.