Age

The “gift” of a time and times way past
Hopefully I will be the person I always wanted to be.
I don’t mean have the body I always wanted to have for that didn’t last
The wrinkles in my face and the dark under my eyes everyone can see
The not so easy to disguise once firm butt
The rounded waistline that they call my gut

The “gift” of a time and times past
“Who is that person looking at me!” I screamed
When I looked in my mirror this morning I saw her fast
“Who is that person looking back at me?” I beamed
Who is that who looks like my mother and granny
When did I grow so careful, watchful and canny.

I might want to trade a few friends and parts of this amazing life
I might think about cashing in my some of my loving family
I could get rid of a few gray hairs and a bit of the strife
I wish I could still strut more irresistible and fancily
Phew, this is a gift? I guess it is if I look at it right
If am less cynical and more kind to myself I might see a different light

I've become my own friend as I enjoy this gift
I chide my self less for the extra pounds and stuff
I don’t feel guilty for not making the bed if you get my drift
I even treat the kids as if I was less tough
I now have no guilt for spending an extra dollar or two
Don’t care much either about the couple of hundred I blew

Too many good friends and family have left this earth too soon
Some got a chance to enjoy the freedom that comes with age
Some didn’t even get a chance to enjoy their grandchildren bloom
Others couldn’t image the ease that comes with this stage
I am glad I got a chance to feel this feeling
I would jump for joy but I have difficulty even kneeling

It is nobody’s business that I watch TV till the dawn of day
Who cares what they say when I choose to sit for hours
I finally don’t give a poot what any one has to say
Just because I am older doesn’t mean I have to start planting flowers
I might choose to sleep with books, paper, and pen in my bed all night again
And wait for the funds my son and daughter told me they’d send

I still like to dance to movin tunes of a classic R & B jam song
One might even make me weep over a love forever lost back flash
Sometimes I forget what I said in just a moment too long
I can hardly walk some mornings less known run too fast
I am not ashamed to sit on the lake in a swimsuit and shawl
It may be stretched over my bulging flesh and all

I don’t care anymore if others pity me
Surly over the years my heart has been broken.
A heart not broken can’t experience the joy of being set free
My tongue can hold the things that don’t have to be spoken
I hope I have strength, courage, understanding, and compassion
And too, to my loved ones, my love I don’t have to ration

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray
I am so blessed to find it easier to be the positive one
I am so blessed to have earned the right to choose to go or stay
I don’t question myself anymore and I feel good about who I have become
I am still here living and paying no mind to what could have been
I don’t worry about what will be except of course the evil and angry men

The “gift” of a time and times way past is large
I think I am the person I always wanted to be.
Nurtured and nurturing as I was given charge
Giving and grateful and forgiving with a heart strong as a tree
Favored and blessed and creating and comforted and Him I obey
Faithful and dignified and honorable and loved and skilled at keeping sin at bay
 
Reprinted from:  She Speaks Psalms ISBN 1-60813-056-8; Though She Speaks Psalms incorporates affirmations of God and spirituality, the work is more social and political than it is religious in its portrayal of life and its difficulties.

You Reap What You Sow

Give, because God has given to you. Not only that, but he has even more in store for his servants. I thought I would share this message that is designed as a tool for self-motivated with someone who may also benefit. When I opened my email the other day I gained pleasure in two emails from folks I don't know. As I re-read them this morming I am encourged.

They commented on words of encouragement I gave to others in several blogs I'd written. The funny thing is that the Lord moved these people to send encouraging comments on day when I needed encouragement. You see, I have learned to live by the biblical concept that "you reap what you sow." I have also learned by experience that what good I sow will be reaped in my life at a time, like today, when I need it most.

On the other hand, it also my experience that whatever bad I have sown, I will probably reap it when it is most inconvenient or a time when it will be most painful. Because of the encouragement I received from others whom I have encouraged Again, I have an renewed attitude of gratitude.

Additionally, as I enter another stage of life, while I can, I strive to instill in my children ideas, concepts, and tools that I know they will need as they go about to make a way for themselves in this world. One of the tools I know they will certainly need is the ability to be self-motivated by their own grattitude. Today, I am blessed because I am happy. The joy and peace of my Lord and Savior has overcome me. Today, too, will be a good day because I am thankful and because of Jesus, I am not alone. I can accomplish all that I desire becaise my mind is on the mighty God who strengthens me. I pray you also have a happy today.

Don't forget to utilize the tools for shedding extra pounds and for feeling good while doing so. Find a partner to practice these stay healthy tips with and to share weight loss goals and accomplishments. Motivate someone who needs motivating. Give somebody something they need. Share a smile with someone who needs to smile, they will feel like you touched them. Share the information with others and spread the joy that Jesus is ready to give you today. Jesus said that the second greatest commandment was, love thy neighbor as thyself." When you do this, I guarantee you that feelings of loneliness, thoughts of woe, and depression will ease up off of you. Plus, let me tell you this, you will find and ease to your financial lack. When I focus on helping others, no matter how big or small, when I give from my heart, I get whatever it is I need. It usually comes from an unexpected source.

Give joy, give encouragement, give help to someone who needs it. In return God will bless you with a peaceful smile on your face that comes from deep within your soul and is better than any smile put there by any male or female man. Certainly, this is some powerful stuff!  Tap into the power of "you reap what you sow." I find it rewarding and fulfilling.

Move it.....Move it.....Move it......

Breathe
In, two, three, four,
Out, two, three, four.

In, two, three, four,
Out, two, three, four.

Don't have time to exercise today? Got at least 10 minutes? Try this quick and easy daily power walk to get your metabolism moving.

First, warm up your body and wake up your metabolism when you first get up in the morning. Begin with a couple of diaphragmatic breaths: Inhale deeply to the count of 1; hold the breath to the cound of 4; then exhale to the count of 2. Breath in this manner for 3-5 minutes.

Next, inhale through your nose to the count of 4 and exhale to the count of 4 through your mouth. Repeat this breathwalk for 5 minutes continuously.

The Power Walk. This is a tidbit I got from the step aerobics class I took. It is perfect for folks like me who hate exercise. The idea of being in a gym with 20 or more other sweaty souls mimicing exercising and listening to a slim, good looking, physically fit instructor count for me and say, "good", "alright now", "here we go", "one more set", "that's it", "good job"; just doesn't sit well with me. I just don't get anything out of it. I can hardly wait until its over. I prefer to do something more meaningingful, like riding my bike, skating, or dancing.

On those days when I just don't feel like exercising or when I am too busy to do what I like as far as exercise is concerned, I have adapted the Power Walk. I find it to be very beneficial in getting my metabolism moving and burning calories that would otherwise be stored as fat. I can feel the burning sensation in my limbs. It is magnificent. The Power Walk even aids in keeping my mood happy and vibrant for the day.

For best results, experts suggest you hit the floor moving in the morning. They suggest you put on your walking clothes and shoes and hit the door immediately. Go outside in the open air and in order to warm up your body and wake up your metabolim. Take in a few deep breaths; inhale to the count of one...hold the breath to the count of four...then exhale to the count of two. NEXT, a for the next five minutes of your walk, inhale four quick breaths and exhale four quick breaths. That's all you need to do, I am usually ready to walk a bit longer after this effective pick me up. Try it. You will like.

An early morning power walk outside in the "fresh" air feels freakin fantastic.  As you can see I like that phrase "freakin fantastic".  I got it off of the movie Mirror Has Two Faces with Barbara Streisand.  It's a really good movie you gotta rent it.  I have it on my favorite movie shelf.  When are you going to start your power walks? 

For more information on the power walk go to: www.breathwalk.com or ask your doctor and exercise instructor.  Remember to always consult your health care practitioner before starting any weight loss or exercise program.  It's just smart business.

Do you empower others? It's hard isn't it? Give yourself a boost.

Support for Those who Empower Others

Many of us work with others in social service settings where we are required to help our clients with issues regarding self-esteem and self-worth. As we know, these are key to improving the quality of life. This posr contains tips for helping those who we empower to increase their esteem, learn to appreciate their value, and improve relationships, thus; the first step to improving the quality of their lives. Since we are also humans with human problems we sometimes need a boost.  It is perfectly normal and okay.
How to Get More Out of a Relationship That You Value

Self Esteem is about self reflection, action, and reaction. Do you keep getting in relationships where it seems as if you're being taken for granted--where you give, and you give, but get little or nothing in return? Are you beginning to wonder why people keep treating you this way? If so, you are probably also feeling pretty confused, sad, and are beginning to lose what little confidence you had in yourself.

It can be very hard to maintain your self esteem and self confidence when you receive little appreciation and it seems as if the other person just doesn't care. Read on and discover a three-step self-esteem lesson plan for creating love and respect in all your relationships.

Are you in a relationship where you think you're being used, and not appreciated? Are you beginning to think that you must be doing something that gives the impression that you are not worth making an effort for--that you are perceived as the one who meets needs without requiring any reciprocal effort to meet yours as well?

If so, your self-esteem is probably at a low point and you are bound to feel less than confident. This scenario creates a vicious cycle-- low self-esteem creates how you feel-- how you feel creates how you act and in turn how others react to you. Now is the time to stop this vicious cycle by breaking the chain of your low self-esteem. How then is this great feat accomplished?

The very first thing to do if your esteem is not what it needs to be is to treat yourself as worthy. Love yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want from others. Loving and accepting yourself is the first step to creating relationships of mutual respect and consideration.

Next, learn the three beginning steps below; they will help you practice self-love and are guaranteed to increase your self-esteem. By practicing these self-love techniques you will automatically start treating yourself as the worthy being that is your true nature. And in turn, so will others.

Explore Your Thinking

Secondly, whether you're aware of it or not, the thoughts that you think generate the way you feel about yourself and how you treat others. The way you feel about yourself governs the actions you take, which in turn creates your life and your problems and your successes and your challenges.

Most of us have been raised in cultures that teach us to focus only on what's happening in our environment. When you always focus on what's going on "out there", it's very challenging to really know what's going on "in here"--to know yourself and understand what's most important to you. If this is the case, then whenever something happens "out there" that you don't enjoy, all you know to do is try to and change your external circumstances. This is hopeless because the only thing you truly have control over is your internal reactions to your external circumstances.  The only thing you have control over is you.

To practice this step, I suggest you start by exploring your "low self-esteem" thinking. You begin by using your feelings as an alarm. The next time you feel uncomfortable in any way, try to identify what you were thinking about just before you started feeling uncomfortable. Thoughts are spirit and negative spirits creep in when you harbor a negative thought too long. 

Identify What is Most Important to You

The 3rd step that helps to increase self-esteem is to discover what's most important to you? What do you value most? What is so important to you that's missing in a particular situation and making you feel the way you feel? This will help you discover who you truly are. There are values are hidden beneath your everyday actions, reactions, and feelings. For example, underneath a sense of deep sadness, you might discover caring and consideration are very important to you. Caring and consideration might be missing in your life. What is hidden beneath your anger? What is hidden behind your feelings of helplessness? What is hidden beneath your depression? What is hidden beneath your feelings of nervousness? Go deep beneath your feelings and find out what you value. Upon reflection and deep investigation of yourself, you will find wonderful qualities that you can enjoy and learn to love, making it easier for others to love you the way you want to be loved.

Enjoy Your Own Company

Finally, take steps to appreciate who you are. Although at times you may feel very lonely. You can learn to stop feelings of loneliness at its onset. The very first moment you start to feel uncomfortable, the thing to do is to turn your thoughts to what is most important to you beneath your feelings. This will help you to appreciate YOU. You can appreciate that you are someone who desires caring and consideration. You can appreciate that you are someone who values understanding and effectiveness. Aren't these the qualities that you appreciate in others?

Self-esteem is all about self-love. Using the self-love techniques, you are guaranteed to find the best friend you’ve ever had, and will be well on our way to mastering the art of self-love and acceptance, especially when you  begin to feel lonely. With practice you gain the confidence to begin asking for what you want in all our relationships and never settle for less than you want again.

Knowing clearly what you  value makes it much easier to identify when it is missing and figure out how to get it. This is the surest path we know of to get the love and respect you  want in all your relationships. Understanding yourself and taking steps to build your own esteem, you will find that you will break the cycle of mistreatment, abuse, and unhappiness in relationships with family, friends, co-workers, as well as your mate.

Love yourself, how can you tell others how to love you if you don't know how to love yourself.  Be careful though, you  don't want to become self absorbed.  It's not only about you it's about others.  You have to find that perfect balance.