Hey there friends! I can’t believe I’ve not posted a blog since January. At that time, I was apologizing for not blogging and lamenting over a lack of inspiration since my brother’s passing. It’s true that I’ve continued to struggle over my brother’s death. But some measure of peace and some answers to long-searched-for questions are beginning to emerge in my life these days.
For years I’ve written columns for newspapers, magazines and websites desiring to offer my readers hope, encouragement, joy, peace of mind. And my blogs had the same goal.
Since I’ve had more questions than answers and inspirations of late, I’ve decided to start sharing them with anyone who reads my blog in the hopes that somebody will share their answers and inspirations with me! And I will of course share any ideas, thoughts, insights that come to me, too!
For one thing, anyone who browses my website who doesn’t know me may wonder what I actually look like. I’ve recently added a couple of new photos to my website that some say look really different from my other pictures taken over the past couple of years. The picture with this blog is me with my lovely daughter the night before her Texas wedding day in March!
Well….You might say I’ve been remodeling myself in the past year!
I began a journey to have less pain in my body and I finally decided this journey had to include less weight and more exercise and activity. I mean after all, legs are made for walking, running, swimming, dancing. Not just sitting at a desk all day!
So yes, I’ve lost over 30 pounds and dropped from a size 12 (sometimes 14) to a size 6 over the course of this past year. I work with a trainer twice a week. I go for walks twice a day. What I eat and when I eat has changed big time from what I ate and when I ate a couple of years ago! Would I like to loose more weight? Yes, I would love to still drop another 10 pounds. But am I happy about the progress I’ve made so far? YES! And do I have less pain? YES!
As my body size got smaller, I decided to let my hair length get longer. My hair hasn’t been as long as it is now since I was probably 12 years old!
And the truth is I would be as white headed as my grandmother was in her 90’s if I didn’t color my hair. In fact, the white was becoming so predominant, my hairdresser had to begin coloring my hair every three weeks. When that wasn’t good enough, she suggested we go with a lighter hair color to better hide my white roots. So for the first time in my life, I became a blonde!
The funny thing is I’m beginning to conclude that blondes really do have more fun! Ha!
My appearance isn’t the only part of me that is being remodeled but I think I’ll wait for another blog to talk more about that!
I will conclude by saying something I know I’ve said before. It’s never too late to make changes or try something new or learn a new skill or discover a new talent or dream new dreams….
So what are you waiting for?
Congratulations! I am anxious to hear how you have “remodeled” in other areas of your life. It is quite a journey. I use to be size 28 and am now around 12-14. I work every day to maintain but it hasn’t been easy. I too have a trainer and walk twice a day but I’m realizing that this is all good and important but there is much more to weight loss and maintenance. How we think is key. And maintaining an attitude of acceptance is critical. I hope this opens a bigger dialogue about a subject that is at epidemic proportions (no pun intended!). Most importantly I work every day to appreciate what I have accomplished and not judge myself against others. Thanks for starting this.
Oh Connie, thank you so much for responding! You are such an inspiration to me and I highly recommend your book to folks on a weight loss journey. I could not agree more that how we think is key!! For me, my greater goal has always been a desire for more balance and harmony in every part of my life and putting those into practice in my actions. I love that you suggest maintaining an attitude of acceptance. I tend to beat myself up at times when I fall short or totally fail rather than accept I’ve done my best. This isn’t all about me. I’m also talking about my role in helping the other people and animals in my life. I have to work hard at appreciating my efforts and accomplishments there as well. It is hard to see those we love suffer, hard to not feel like there is more we can or should be able to do for them to ease their suffering. I’ve had to do quite a bit of remodeling of how I think about myself in my role as mother, daughter, sister, wife, and mother of a special needs dog, too. I will say I am finding that as I love and nurture myself more – spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically – I am better equipped to love and nurture others! 🙂
So agree with you. We need to cherish ourselves more as well as cherish others and appreciate that everyone is on his/her own journey and they need to be supported wherever that is taking them. One size doesn’t fit all and it certainly doesn’t when it comes to health care decisions. One way to help ease some suffering is removing people’s guilt because they may have to use various means for comfort. I think the time has come to recognize that we aren’t judges – we are servants! Serve, help, nurture, care and support everyone regardless of religion, race or background! (Oops, think I got a little preachy!) I am a huge supporter for all that you are doing as well! Thanks for sharing and caring.