Running, Yoga, and Change

Today is gorgeous out! Gorgeous and hot.. But I feel accomplished! I ran an interval set at the gym. Everything in me wanted to hit snooze a zillionith time, but I didn't. It felt great to push my body to the limits this morning and I was actively engaged in the workout the entire time due to the changing speeds. I did intervals of 7, 7.5, 8, and 8.6mph for a total of 50 minutes. Time flew and I listened to my new favorite song- Ridin Solo by Jason Derulo. - on repeat for a few times ;) This song just makes me so inspired and energized for the day!

I have areas in my life where I want to changes and perfect. I think its important to constantly look at where I am and see where I can improve my quality of life. I want to become better at time management and better at spending time with God. Working out and reaching my fitness goals are in progress. Tonight I will hopefully have time for my favorite thing- BIKRAM YOGA!

I read a passage on St Francis of Assisi today. He was a radical monk in the 1200s who decided one day that he would voluntarily live amongst the poor and serve them. He gave away all he had and went to the slums. I can't imagine someone giving up EVERYTHING like that. I just moved last weekend and became aware of all the material possessions I have accumulated over the last year. I want to make it a priority to be wise with my money this year.. I guess you could say- July is my mid year resolution time!

Well off to work! I am blessed and want to serve people today :-)

Fitness Goals

Today I woke up feeling like I want to make active changes in my life regarding health and fitness. I have been living an undisciplined lifestyle all summer and want to get things in order again. My motives are to take care of my body and health so that I am fully capable of whatever opportunities God places in front of me.

I am going to TRY TRY TRY to cut down on my chocolate and not give into cravings. Last night was the first test. I got home late at night and wanted with everything in me to grab a few bars of Hershey Milk Chocolate but instead I opted for cereal and a protein shake... SCORE!

I have to keep my focus on the end result. I want to work out 5 days a week and not indulge in desserts every single day- not because I want to look great, but because I want to FEEL great and have more energy and live a lifestyle pleasing to God.

Scripture to Inspire Wellness:

You (God) satisfy me more than the richest of foods. Psalm 63:5 (NLT)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2
Corinthians 5:17

Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some
value, but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life
and the next. This is true and everyone should accept it. 1 Timothy 4:7-9 (NLT)

Be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. Titus 1:7-9 NASB

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30
(NLT)

(more verses at: http://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/new/wp-content/uploads/Bible-Scripture-Verses-Quotes-on-Health-Wellness-and-Wholeness.pdf )

Communication Tips

I am reading a book by Joshua Harris and in it he writes some tips on communicating within relationships that I really liked:

1. "Communication problems are usually heart problems" .... our lips are merely messengers of our heart and our words flaw what's inside us. If our words are selfish or sarcastic, it means we are selfish and sarcastic. But the great news is that God's Spirit working inside us can allow us to communicate better and by His grace work on areas in our own lives that we find hard to deal with.

2. "Your ears are the most important communication tool" .... listening is an expression of humility and genuine concern for others. Empathy is something I personally sense in others and feel appreciated when others related to me and try to understand my situation. I therefore want to be empathetic towards others.

3. "Good communication doesn't happen by accident." It takes intention. Planning activities and even planning conversations can help- having questions for the other person to get to know them in a deeper way. Communication should NEVER be formal or forced though. Keep it casual and enjoyable.

4. "The absence of conflict doesn't equal good communication" .... Our goal shouldn't be to avoid conflict but to learn how to work through it and resolve it in a way that honors God.

5. "Motive is more important than technique" .... Make sure the motive behind getting to know someone is pleasing to God. To encourage, build-up, serve, and benefit them. This is a completely unselfish approach.... Unlike many of the books today that help you learn to communicate so that you get what you want, turning words into weapons to further our own selfish desires, genuine communication focuses on building up others and putting God first.

Use words to gratify and glorify God, not ourselves.... And put other's interests first.

I am beginning to understand...LOVE

I feel like he is my soul mate. Even though it hasn't been that long really since we have met each other, we are both at stages in our lives where we know what we want. We have both been broken before, we have both loved and lost, we have both come out stronger and more fulfilled.

It it amazing to me how the closer I get to him the more I am reminded of Christ's unconditional love for us. I am beginning to understand what true love is the more I experience it and it brings me closer to God. If love can be so beautiful with someone here on earth, just imagine what the love of Christ looks like. With no shortcomings, failures, potential to mess-up. Christ is consistently divine and His character remains.

Romans 8:38-39- No power on earth or heaven can separate us from God's love. Not our sin, not any authority, not any spiritual force. God's love is unshakable and can always be relied upon.

Romans 5:5- And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

~~~~~~~~~
oh .... and today is my best childhood friend's birthday from MN- we haven't talked in years but I would love to get ahold of her to catch up :-) thank you facebook!

Business Savy

so I am moving and came across a few magazines that I have kept throughout the last year- without adequate time to read. I am finding myself inspired by the articles on entrepreneurship. One article titled "The Entrepreneurial Spirit" (Florida Trend Mag.) asks questions regarding starting your own business:

• Am I willing to invest 50-70 hours a week to run a business?
• Am I self-motivated?
• Do I have experience in business skills and leadership?
• Am I willing to risk my savings in a venture?
• Is my family supportive of the time/money I'll have to spend?
• Do I have a product thats in demand?
• Will I need outside financing, do I have a network of affiliants who will provide it?
• Do I know my competitors?
• Will my company have an advantage over existing firms?

A Business plan includes:

• business niche, marketing, management experience, and expenses.
• Target market- is it growing/ shrinking?
• Competition- steengths/ weaknesses/ market share/ pricing strategy
• Benefits of the product/service - its appeal to customers/ business location
• Management team- info on experience of those involved
• Focus plan towards the future

Even more inspiring is an srticle titled "How to fireproof your job" (Money Mag)
It says

• Stand out, Step up- let the higher ups know you are problem solving
• Be a money maker- share client leads ideas to generate revenue if its not part of my responsibilty
• Dont be a debbi-downer- hang out with people the boss respects, the halo of their job may extend to you
• Increase your value- keep on top of advances in your field and expand your expertise beyond your core area
• Go beyond your job descriotion- look for problem spots that you can help fix. pitch in whenever help is needed.
• Make a sacrifice- volunteer to take a pay cut during downturns make you look like a hero.

Blogs that inspire funds:
getrichslowly.org