Relatable

At the beginning and conclusion of each 4-week fitness boot camp, our instructor weighs and measures us so that we can see progress {hopefully} being made. Earlier this week I met with her for my post-evaluation of this latest camp [sidenote: I lost 4 pounds and 3 1/4 inches this session, woo hoo!]. As she took my measurements, we talked about that morning's session, which had included some new (and pretty challenging) exercises.

Usually our instructor does some but not all of the exercises with us. However, she told me that she went through the entire workout with her 8:30 class, and she admitted that she thought it was pretty hard, too. It was strangely comforting to hear that my incredibly fit, healthy instructor was feeling the struggle during her workout and could, in turn, empathize with us when she puts us through the paces.

It made me think about how grateful I am that Jesus came to Earth not just as a spiritual being but in the flesh as well. He faced the same struggles and temptations that we face, and can therefore empathize with us. He has firsthand knowledge of what it's like to feel lonely, rejected, hated, disappointed, betrayed. He can relate intimately to us because He's lived not just among us but as one of us, albeit without sin.

In this season of Advent, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I'm glad to be reminded of this.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

"O Lord, who lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness." 

--William Shakespeare

"Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies." 

--Charles E. Jefferson

"As we pause to thank Him for the blessings of the past year, we must not forget to thank Him for the lessons we have learned through our difficult times. We are not to be thankful for just the pleasant, easy things, but ALL things." 

--Millie Stamm

"We tend to take all the gifts and pleasures and happiness and the joy without saying much to God. We take our health and strength, our food and clothing and our loved ones, all for granted; but the moment anything goes wrong we start grumbling and complaining and we say 'Why should God do this to me, why should this happen to me?' How slow we are to thank and swift to grumble." 

--Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"Perhaps it takes a purer faith to praise God for unrealized blessings than for those we once enjoyed or those we enjoy now." 

--A. W. Tozer

"Remember God's bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor. Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light! Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!" 

--Henry Ward Beecher

"But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving', Charlie Brown." 

--Marcie

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Gravity

Most days I get caught up in the ebb and flow of life, getting worked up over the minutiae that can seem overwhelming in the moment but that is, in reality, meaningless.

Some days, however, I really feel the weight of living in a fallen world. Tonight as I was leaving the grocery store I was approached by a young man asking me to buy him some food. Instinctively I said no. I was immediately on guard, as here I was, a woman alone at night in a not very crowded parking lot. I couldn't unload my cart and get into the safe confines of my locked car fast enough as he walked away.

As I left the parking lot I immediately began second guessing my decision. Maybe the guy was harmless. Maybe I should have taken him into the grocery store and bought him some food. Maybe I should have pulled some food out of my grocery bags and given it to him. Maybe I shouldn't have let my desire for my own safety and wellbeing override an opportunity to help someone in need.

On the way home I prayed that that young man would get whatever help he needed--food, shelter, a job, hope, salvation, whatever. I wonder what might have happened if I had helped him. I know that God knows my heart, and He knows that I was caught off guard and unprepared. Maybe I did the right thing. Then again, maybe I needed to be reminded that my life--including my physical self--is not my own; I've been bought with a price, and I need to be in the mindset to respond wherever and however God calls me.

I hate living in a world where I have to be on guard and assume the worst of strangers. On the bright side, how thankful I am for this reminder that this fallen, broken, messed up world is not my true home. Times like this make me feel a little more homesick for the real thing.

Cheap Thrills

• This past Saturday I made a trip to the public library. The one closest to my house happens to be the one we frequented most during my childhood, and there is something oddly comforting about going to a place that is so familiar. Granted, there are a few changes--such as more computers (no more card catalog!) and books have been somewhat rearranged--but for the most part, it still looks the same. I came home with a nice big stack of books--a mystery, some "chick lit", and a couple of biographies. The hardest part is always deciding which one to read first; the second hardest part is getting as many read as I can before they're due back to the library.

• This weekend I also made a couple of favorite recipes that I originally found on Pinterest, both using canned pumpkin. Both recipes were quick, easy and relatively inexpensive (yay!). One was for this pumpkin spice syrup for Starbucks-knockoff pumpkin spice lattes, and the other was for iced pumpkin cookies, although I "healthified" mine by skipping the icing. Hey, adding pumpkin makes it health food, right?

• Speaking of Starbucks, they are having a Buy One Get One Free special on their holiday drinks November 17-20 from 2-5 p.m. If you're in my neck of the woods and need a buddy to go with you to take advantage of this special, give me a call. I'm sure I can come up with an excuse for leaving the office in the middle of the afternoon...

Book Review: 50 Things Every Young Lady Should Know

As the aunt of three nieces under age 10 (and a former "young lady" myself), I was particularly curious to review 50 Things Every Young Lady Should Know, my latest Booksneeze selection. Written by Kay West (with John Bridges and Bryan Curtis), the book is an abbreviated Emily Post-type etiquette guide for the modern girl.

The book first addresses some basic good manners, such as saying "Please", "Thank you", and "Excuse Me". You'd think that this is common sense to most people and ingrained in them since they could speak, but sadly there are probably a great number of children who are simply not taught such fundamental good manners. (My nieces, on the other hand, have been taught well!)

The book also discusses a variety of situations, some timeless--such as which side of the sidewalk or staircase to walk on, how to navigate a formal dinner place setting--and some more modern situations, such as cell phone and internet etiquette. I appreciated the fact that the authors not only discuss the hows of manners but the whys behind them as well.

The book is a bit mature for my young nieces; I'd say that it's more likely appropriate for tweens or early teens. It made for a quick read and would probably make for good discussion between girls and their parents or teachers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through theBookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

All Tricks, No Treats

In case you need a good laugh...

Saturday Agenda: To Be Determined

With our fall work convention now firmly in my rearview mirror, I finally have some downtime to actually breathe. It's refreshing to come home with some pep still left in my step and to actually have some energy (and desire) to spend time with friends. I enjoyed a lovely meal and bookstore run with a dear friend of mine tonight after work, and am looking forward to being more social in the coming days and weeks.

My Saturday plans got cancelled, so now I have the whole day stretched in front of me with no agenda. I've got some ideas rummaging around in my head, though...

Maybe I'll start off with a quick stop for one of these (nonfat no whip, of course)

and perhaps a trip out here for their annual Christmas open house.

I may have to spend some time cruising the aisles of my favorite shoe store

and most likely make a trip here too.

Then again, I may just stay home, catch up on some housework and reading, maybe even try out a new recipe or project that I've pinned.

Of course, I'm pretty sure I know what my evening agenda consists of--rumor has it there's some football game on TV that night...

What are your weekend plans?

Start Packing--We're Going on a Guilt Trip!

Last week I was out of town Wednesday-Saturday for work. Although I didn't have time to work out while I was gone, I was pretty careful about what I ate and was really proud of myself for not gaining weight while out of town.

Then I came home--and suddenly, my motivation to cut back on what I ate and to exercise more went out the window. I went to boot camp yesterday morning as usual (I go Monday-Wednesday-Friday), and fully intended to get up this morning and go for a run as I typically do on my non-boot camp days. However, this morning I just couldn't muster the desire to pry myself out from under the warm, cozy comforter and get out into the cold pre-dawn air.

No problem, I thought, I'll be diligent about what I eat for lunch and I'll work out tonight after work to make up for my morning laziness. I had a lunch meeting to attend, and planned to avoid the dessert table and eat fruit salad instead. Lo and behold, the country club that every OTHER time serves fruit salad did not have any on the buffet table today! Instead of foregoing dessert altogether, as I should have done, I got a piece of spice cake with yummy cream cheese frosting instead. And I ate every bite.

None of my co-workers were able to stick around for a workout, so I drove home with the idea of taking my dog for a walk to at least get SOME exercise in for the day. But by the time I got home, it was a little bit later than I'd planned, daylight fading fast, and the air getting a bit chilly. And so instead of going for a walk, here I sit at the computer.

I had every intention of being good today--and now I'm putting myself on a major guilt trip for not taking advantage of the multiple opportunities to do so. The commitment to healthy living is an every day--sometimes every hour--battle, often an uphill one. I see small accomplishments--a faster running time, eating fewer sweets than I used to--but it's all too easy to focus on what I've yet to do--like give up sweets for good, for instance. It's hard not to beat myself up over it.

I just have to forget what is in the past and focus on what lies ahead. I may have messed up during the day, but I can eat a healthy dinner. I can do a brief workout while I watch TV tonight. I don't have to stay in this unhealthy rut that's ruled over most of my day. I don't have to be a slave to unhealthy habits. I WILL do better--starting now.

Anyone want to help me unpack?