"What comes out of you when you are squeezed is what is inside of you." ~Wayne Dyer

The poem of sorts below, was on a sign posted inside Mother Teresa's children's home of Shushu Bhavan, Calcutta, India. The author is unknown, but my mom had this professionally printed and its framed in the hallway of my their home in Seattle. I LOVE the message it carries with it. I think sometimes when life is tossing lemons at us or when we just feel like we don't have the time or energy to follow through with something...this is a GREAT reminder of how we truly want to be living our lives.

Sometimes we need to remember that its not about ANYONE or ANYTHING else...its about choosing the direction we want to go in, regardless of the feedback we get from others and even from the sometimes GIGANTIC negative self-talking monster that lives in the back of our minds. I think this is a BEAUTIFUL reminder that sometimes, we just need to DO IT ANYWAY. Here it is:

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
LOVE THEM ANYWAY.

If you do good, people accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
DO GOOD ANYWAY.

If you are successful, you win false and true enemies.
SUCCEED ANYWAY.

The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow.
DO GOOD ANYWAY.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY.

What you spent years building may be destroyed overnight.
BUILD ANYWAY.

People really need help but may attack you if you help them.
HELP PEOPLE ANYWAY.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU'VE GOT ANYWAY.

You have all heard me talk a lot about walking through walls of fear, and I LOVE the way this tells us that no matter what we face in life, there will be people telling us we can't or challenging our intentions and integrity and YES, we will face adversity but its just not a good enough reason to not do it. We can spend a LIFETIME planning for the 'right moment' to do things...I think we should take this reminder and DO IT ANYWAY!!

What is ONE thing you have been holding out on executing in your life that you will make at least ONE step in the direction of progress on TODAY??

Good morning, my friends!! Feeling so much better today spiritually. I tell ya, there are some very toxic people at work, and working with them day in and day out for two weeks straight...holy smokes, I was drained! Forgot to mention, Juan and I got the stomach flu from the grandkids. Spent all of early morning Tuesday fighting for the bathroom. As I told Terri, I think I lost a couple pounds! Hahaha! but I have put them back already. LOL.

Jenn, I have to give your question more thought before I can answer this. But the poem resonating in another way for me. You see, yesterday, when i was bringing Santana to my house after school, I noticed that a vehicle was smoking in somebody's driveway. I slowed down, and noticed that there was a fire inside the SUV. I took Santana to my house, and I walked back to see if anyone was home. By that time, the car was fully engulfed in flames, and a young lady and four children, and a young man were running out of the house. They ran to the corner where I was standing. Her kids must have ranged from 10, 9, 7, and 4 years old. A couple of them didn't have shoes on. Thankfully, we don't have snow on the ground, but it is cold. Without thinking, I asked her if she wanted to take the kids to my house. The minute the words came out of my mouth, I knew Juan was going to be MAD!!! He doesn't like strangers coming into the house, and because there was a young guy with her....oooh, he was MAD!!!

They were very thankful, and I put a movie on for the kids to watch as their parents went back to their house to talk to the fire department. Needless to say, Juan and I got into an argument. Finally, I told him, "Why is it whenever I try to do something to help someone else, especially someone I don't know, you make me feel like I'm doing something wrong? All I was thinking was, 'If that was Alicia standing on the corner with my grand daughters, I would hope that someone would help her.' " I think that gave him something to think about, but I still ended up with a knot of anxiety in my stomach. I also felt bad because the kids could hear us. In the past, I would have just blown up and really gotten into it with him. But I forced myself to walk away.

Everything turned out ok. Their house wasn't damaged, and everyone got out safely, thanks to God. But the after effect is that now I feel mad towards Juan still. But as I posted on FB, the bigger question is, why am I letting him make me feel bad about helping someone I've never met? I guess this may be one of those things that fall under GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU'VE GOT ANYWAY, and just let it go.

So glad to be back, again!!! I missed you all!!!

This morning, I had a "do it anyway" moment! I had to take my car to the dealer for a new car part and planned to hit Y on my way home. I wasn't terribly hungry for breakfast and didn't really want to make a shake but I made myself "do it anyway" as I knew if I started the morning off on the wrong foot (eating something bad), the rest of my day would be not great. I'm about to hit the Y for a HIIT.

When I get home, I need to update my resume/bio and also write an artist's statement that will go in a binder at the gallery for the show.

I'm exhausted but I'm looking forward to the opening tonight!

It's also raining here. Started raining last night! Isn't this supposed to be winter?!?

Great to see you back, Laura!
So glad to hear you are getting some of those much-needed payments, Sonya, and that you have such a supportive mom as well as the Lutheran school!
Jenn - feel better! Gargle w/warm salt water! TGIF!

Ok, off to the elliptical! I hope I don't fall asleep as I really feel sleepy!

Maria - I think what you did was absolutely wonderful! What you said to Juan was perfect and maybe it'll sink in once he can put himself in someone else's shoes. More folks should be like you!

One more thing. (well, maybe a few things):

I did my HIIT on elliptical but I was really sluggish. I think it is b/c I don't eat well yesterday (m1- bagel w/ham egg and cheese - yes, that was a poor choice!), m2/3- apple, cheese stick, no real lunch, m4- carrot sticks, cukes and celery dipped in a tzadiki dip, no dinner, a porcelain of coffee cake, some pretzels and two chocolates plus the wine at the meeting). I also skipped my workout. Ya think my poor eating yesterday is making me feel the way I do today? I think so! It doesn't help that it's a crappy day, it's now pouring cats and dogs and my sneaks and socks are soaking wet just running from the Y to my car!

That's it! I hope you are all having a good Friday!

Hello, everyone!! Yep... another good day for me. On track with eating yesterday (keeping track of EACH bite that goes in my mouth REALLY does help me!) and I did P90X legs and back. I weight/measured today and even with doing great for 4 days straight, I haven't lost any weight or inches. BUT - it's that time of the month for me (sorry if TMI), so maybe this is why. I'm going to keep pluggin' along!

Jenn - GIRL, I am sooooo sorry you are sick again. We have had sickies in our house since before Christmas. I don't know what it is about this year, but the germs are a-flyin'!

Maria!!! I missed you, girl!! So glad you are back and that the big project at work is coming to a close. Many times, when I've gone MIA, it involves being busy at work. As for helping that family... good for you!!! Yes, if it were my children, I would want YOU as a neighbor. And Juan's reaction... well, I can't help but think that he is a man.. he is the protector of his family. While you all had differing opinions, I can't help but think that he just wants to keep you and Santana safe. He didn't know those people and he didn't want you harmed. If you frame it like that, maybe you can let go of some of the anger and talk to him from a place where he knows you appreciate what he's trying to do, but that you really felt the need to help. It might "change his mind," but it might make him more open to listening. Just a thought.

Suzanna - Yay for doing what you know was right!! As for the not-so-good day... I hear ya! I think we all have those from time to time. I truly think it can make you feel sluggish the next day. But the good news is... you DID the workout... the best you could today. You go girl!!!!

Sonya - Ugh... financial woes... they are the worst. I hope you get that payment... and SOON!!! I've been following Dave Ramsey for the last month. He makes so much sense... and his plan really works. I just did my first budget to start Feb 1st. It was hard work, but I truly feel like it's going to help. I'm not sure if you've ever heard of Dave, but he's a Christian-based financial advisor. Here's his website if you want to check it out: Dave Ramsey Homepage - daveramsey.com

Laura!!! So glad to see you back here. You've been missed.

So, what will I do to make steps for progress? I will pass up the birthday cake at work!! They are having a birthday celebration and I will just have a cup of coffee, rather than the cake. Every time I do this, I always meet with a little resistance, but once I say "no," the rest is... well, cake!!

This is fabulous! Thanks Jenn. I''m going to print these out and put them on my wall here.

Jenn ~ GET WELL GIRL! Sending you prayers and hope you can rest up over the weekend. XO

Terri ~ Thanks. Hadn't heard of Dave Ramsay. Will be looking him up. I was reading a few tips on the Focus on The Family website too. It's hard having our own business. I manage the money well it's just been that we have had no income to manage. We just have to ride out the storm. Some people have said we should just go and do something else but they don't understand what and how we have invested our time and money and what has happened to us in the past. We are not prepared to give up. It't the nature of the building game. We have started from scratch twice before. Good on you for passing on the birthday cake.

Susanna~ I'm with you. I HAVE to start my day off right with exercise or I just don't do it.

Maria ~ You sure did the right thing to help strangers. You are in a difficult situation but remember...God rewards our good deeds.

About to do an early Sat morning workout here. My little buddy will be up in 5 min. [It's 5:15AM here.] I slept better last night and actually made it through to just after 4am.

Son

Hey guys. Just checking in for some t-com love.
Nothing new or exciting on this end, which I'm grateful for. Sometimes quiet is a good thing!!!
Have a great weekend everyone!
__________________

Hi everyone..I'm at work right now. Tonight I'm going out for dinner with friends. I will surely be having some alcohol but will control how much. I'm feeling great that I was able to forgo it all week.

Maria-I too, think what you did was great, and yeah, it would be a good idea to think about why Juan disagrees with you. I can relate to having arguments with a spouse and not wanting it to be in front of the kids. We've had many in front of them, and now I do try to walk away too if I can. My husband can be really illogical and frustrating to deal with..so sometimes it's really hard. Some things never feel resolved and that bugs me...

Susanna--good job getting your workout done anyway. I'm trying hard to adopt the same mindset. Good luck with the show! We don't have rain here in Mn., but for winter it's been mild for most of it.

Sonya--so glad you got something to take the immediate pressure off, and yes, what a blessing it is that the school does not give you a hard time. Praying that your business will pick up soon!

Terri--I have a Dave Ramsey book...the money makeover. I have the same issue of not enough income to cover everything, but I still need to take steps to change things. I'll have to look at the book again and see if there's things in his program I can implement.

Laura--good to see you here!
Sherri--good to see you too! Hope you're still having fun with those kiddos!
Tripp--good to see you feeling more positive!

I'll be working this weekend, but will get my workouts done! My goal for the month of January was to lose 6 lbs.--I think I might get there.

Jenn--Get well soon and STAY well! It's amazing to me how well you function being sick so much this year.
Love today's message. I am so trying to keep focused on doing the right things this year and trusting in the outcome. I have alot of things to address--physical, spiritual, financial, relationships etc etc. Scary, but I need to make progress in these areas instead of letting my fears run my life. Thanks for the reminder.

See you all later! Sara

Ahh... An hour late, but here... This would be my do it anyway. I took all my vitamins and was off to slumber, teddy bear and all. Then I remembered!!! So here I am, knowing I new to be at work in less than 10 hours. I have missed you all so much! More to come from me in the neat future! Hugs:-)

Btw: Maria you rock socks!! A true compassionate individual there!

I probably should have headed to the emergency room earlier tonight. Its now 3:50 am, and I just woke up after sweating out a NASTY fever for the past 8 1/2 hours. I came home from work shaking from being chilled to the bone. Chris took one look at me, took my temp. 104.6. I decided I wanted to try to sleep it off, mostly because I just couldn't warm up and the thought of having to get into the car with the wind whipping around outside just didn't work for me. I have slept off and on, but it feels like I have razor blades in my throat every single time I swallow and it hurts into my ears. Boooooooooooooo. I will be heading to urgent care later this morning. Something is REALLY going on and I think its time to get some help with it. (we can't afford it, but such is life)

I'll try to post more over the weekend as I start to (hopefully) feel better. Prayer appreciated.

Maria- PROUD of you girl. Sometimes its when we do what we KNOW is right, that gives us strength to say and do things we normally wouldn't have. GO GIRL.

I'm off to try to grab a bit more sleep after another dose of theraflu severe cold. See you soon.

~Jenn