Happy Valentine's to those who celebrate this day of LOVE!

The Heart Nebula - beautiful!!!

Following is the 4th in a series of 12 steps from Dr. Dyer on how to simplify our lives. Before we get to that, first I am reminded by this 4th post that a healthy weight loss over this time should be between 4-8 pounds (1-2 pounds per week). Are you on track? Time to take it up a notch? It's a great idea to change up your weightlifting routine about this time, too, to keep the body surprised and changing! Time to take inventory!


Ok, back to Dyer. This week his focus is on Meditation.


"Take time for meditation and yoga. Give yourself at least 20 minutes a day to sit quietly and make conscious contact with God. I’ve written an entire book on this subject called Getting in the Gap, so I won’t belabor it here. I will say that I’ve received thousands of messages from people all over the world, who have expressed their appreciation for learning how to simplify their life by taking the time to meditate.


I also encourage you to find a yoga center near you and begin a regular practice. The rewards are so powerful: You’ll feel healthier, less stressed, and inspired by what you’ll be able to do with and for your body in a very short time."


How do you fit in time to just 'be'?

I seldom to never make time for this. What I found through personal experience in attempting to set a hard and fast quiet time it is more an exercise in frustration than peace making in a house with 3 children at home 24/7. Mikhail has tried to encourage me in this area and I thank him for his concern and tips immensly! Once again, balance comes in to play. I've learned to take pauses, sighs of gratitude in whatever moment of peace presents itself throughout the day. We study scripture in our home. When I read a verse I have everyone take a moment (kids have shorter moments than we do) to really ponder the verse and then carry it with me for the day. Not perfect, but for now progress! The only constant is change and I am hopeful as my kids grow that that time will come.


Check-in: Busy week last week and another expectedly busy one to come. I invested some wonderful snuggle time under a blanket reading and watching history videos with my children, then engaged in a marriage enrichment program, Love and Respect, with my spouse. 3 treadmill days and 2 unofficial on the go resistance workouts of squats, lunges, crunches and counter pushups!


My 2-3 hour limit was pretty healthy last week, in the sense that I honored myself and my time. By making a simple awareness of the time I log-in, and saying the time I will log-off, the outcome has been greatly improved over simply thinking it will be a quick log in when it never is! A wonderful help has been subscribing to our weekly thread. I get updates delivered right to my inbox! However, email from friends has piled up and I'm not sure how to be a good friend and volunteer in those 2-3 hours a week. Maybe the less I'm here it will balance out. I shall continue on with the schedule for another few weeks and see how it goes.


Rest of the day cleaning up my space for a happy and healthy week! (oh and for the real estate appraiser - we are refi'ing - more financial adjustements!)

I am still here doing the work and working the program. Lost two pounds on target for the challange. Its been a day for rest today nice and slow.
http://www.transformation.com/XOT44/...-pounds/132037

I love mediation! Mom just got out of hospital last night.

Keeping my fingers crossed, I will get to the gym very early Monday morning and then back to her/Dad.

http://www.transformation.com/tko2bluewater/blog/uncatagorized/quick-post-for-week-5/132125

-Terri


“If you have passion in what you do, you will succeed”
Jim Haines

Really pretty picture of the nebula. My dad worked for NASA JPL for many years and I've always been fascinated by astronomy. My brother and I grew up hearing about all the constellations and stars and how the universe works. This pic reminds me of my daddy.

As for how I fit time in to just "be" - that is always so difficult, although its truly simple. I make it difficult. I know it should be a priority and I know that I am much more centered and grounded and content when I do it, but I play tug-of-war with myself on creating the time. Why I choose to sabotage myself so, I don't quite understand.

But I am getting better at it. I have started rolling out of bed and getting in the shower immediately. Then, once I'm done, I feed the cats, then sit down on the couch in "my spot" and either read, write or sit quietly in meditation or prayer. Sometimes it's one, two or all three. Depends on the day. Regardless of the activity, I notice a huge difference in my attitude the days I spend this quiet time, which is just about every one recently. By showering first, when I need to leave for work, I'm ready to walk out the door. I don't have to scramble around getting ready in a rush. I drink my breakfast once I get to the office, which is a smoothie made up of rice protein, 1/2 banana, unsweetened almond milk, ground flax/almond/sunflower mixture and sometimes an additional fruit such as a few blueberries or strawberries. This really works for me. I wait a bit longer than ideal before eating, but the overall benefits of having an altered schedule outweigh any downside I've experienced.

Bleh...post is getting longer than expected or desired. Will cut it short. I know I'm quite long winded...sorry

Happy you were able to maintain your boundaries, Sharen. It sounds like you made some really important choices and I think it's great the things you have set up for spiritual enrichment. It's not traditional quiet time, but it it works for you, and helps you to feel connected to your Source. then go with it!

Okay, signing off now. Time to watch a movie with the BF...he's getting antsy.

Have a great week!!

I am getting more organized and active today Already bought roses. Christin I too have a deep love of the Cosmos have all my life.
http://www.transformation.com/XOT44/...day-off/132209

love to this group~ today's thoughts http://www.transformation.com/Sherid...nes-Day/132227

May you all be blessed with love in your hearts. Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

Quickie - closet project complete! Shelves are stocked/stacked!

We are ill today; fevers, sore throats. Taking a total rest day, as much as humanly possible with three kiddoes who are just not as affected by the sickies....why is that?

XO

~S~

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. I am struggling but who said a challenge is meant to be easy. I will endure and make it up the mountain. Have a nice day.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharen Quickie - closet project complete! Shelves are stocked/stacked! We are ill today; fevers, sore throats. Taking a total rest day, as much as humanly possible with three kiddoes who are just not as affected by the sickies....why is that? XO ~S~

WAHOOO!!! Yay for closet completion!!! Grats!

I will send healing thoughts your way. Hope you guys are able to enjoy the holiday anyway and have a great one!!! Hugs ~Christin

Sharen, I LOVE the picture of the Heart Nebula! Just love it!

I am working from home today, getting new internet installed (Verizon FIOS). Cannot wait. It's so fast, that I'll probably end-up posting 10 times more than before . So, get ready for it!

As soon as the new internet is installed, I am off to do shopping for tonight's Valentines dinner that I am cooking for my wife. We decided not to go out because all restaurants will be very crowded.
So, we'll stay home and watch a nice movie after dinner.

Today I am grateful for:

Nice weather (50F today)
Good night sleep
Great weight lifting workout
Being healthy
My basement gym
Being able to work from home when I need to
My iPhone that allows to connect to the internet
Valentines days!






Have a fantastic week everybody!

Mikhail

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharen Quickie - closet project complete! Shelves are stocked/stacked! ~S~

Proof?

Sharen, I hope all of you are feeling better soon! Do you home school your kids?

I have never participated on this site before.... What exactly are the posts supposed to be about? I don't have much time to be on here, but want to participate in a group.

Thank you!

Kim

Woohooo loving the energy here and I am so happy to post my blog in this group. Have a grea day everyone.....I know I am loving and living life. ~ Chac

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Sorry to hear that your feeling ill Sharen. ~ Chac

Hi there - remember me? I found my way back and after posting my first blog and assignment one, this is the first place I wanted to come and say hi to my old friends (and I see some new ones!).

I've signed up for the challenge and my focus will be to read Bill's book and do the assignments. I've never completed all 18 steps before and I really need to focus and get that done.

I will try and pop in here every once in awhile and say hi. This is a wonderful, supportive group! Can't wait to read your blogs and see what great things you've achieved!!

To follow protocol of this group, here are my latest blogs :

Back from a Break

Assignment 1 - Base and Summit

Hey all!

I had an absolutely crazy day today. Without going into too many details, I ended up running around the Department of States in DC early in the morning (38F) with a bunch of documents in one hand and my iPhone in the other using google maps trying to locate the needed building before it closed at 11 am. I made it there at 10:52. At least I got my cardio done! The whole day I was jumping from one thing into another getting my meals in between the "things".



I think my hands are still shaking

Also, assignment #2 is done too. So, crazy but very productive day.


http://www.transformation.com/gopnik...cise-Rx/132537

I made it 2 days this week to the gym!!!! (ME TIME!!!) Wow, I won't complain about the grimmy mats or anything for at least a month!!! Working on morning #3


- here is my link to assignment #4

http://www.transformation.com/tko2bl...-2011-4/132544


-Terri


“If you have passion in what you do, you will succeed”
Jim Haines

http://www.transformation.com/trap10...2-15-11/132572

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp122163 Hi there - remember me? I found my way back and after posting my first blog and assignment one, this is the first place I wanted to come and say hi to my old friends (and I see some new ones!). I've signed up for the challenge and my focus will be to read Bill's book and do the assignments. I've never completed all 18 steps before and I really need to focus and get that done. I will try and pop in here every once in awhile and say hi. This is a wonderful, supportive group! Can't wait to read your blogs and see what great things you've achieved!! To follow protocol of this group, here are my latest blogs : Back from a Break Assignment 1 - Base and Summit

welcome back I missed you!!