The Cocoon

Last week I was exploring the Blogospere and came across a blog devoted to nothing but motivational stories, some short, some long, some interesting and some ho hum boring.  The following story I would like to pass on.

Cocoon:

One bright day a man found a cocoon of a butterfly.  Intrigued with his find he brought it home to observe.  After a time a small opening appeared in the cocoon.

Excitedly the man watched for several hours as the butterfly struggled to force its body through the little hole. Then it seemed the butterfly could no longer make any progress.  It appeared as if the butterfly had gotten as far as it could, and simply could go no further.

The man took it upon himself to help the butterfly and took a pair of scissors and ever so gently snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon so that the butterfly could easily emerge.

As the butterfly emerged, the man was surprised at the form of the butterfly.  The poor things body was swollen and small, its wings were shriveled.

What the man did not understand is that the butterfly needed to struggle through the restricting cocoon to be able to fly.  The butterfly must push its way through the tiny opening to force the fluid from its body and wings.  Only by struggling through the opening can the butterfly's wings be ready for flight once it emerges from its cocoon.

Struggling is not fun or easy.  It is difficult for those who love us to watch, however the strife makes us stronger.  Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life.  If God allowed us to go through life without any obstacles, it would cripple us.  We would not be as strong as what we could have been and we could never fly.

Spread your wings and prepare to fly.  Become a butterfly!

Yet Another Election Year

Over the last two years I have grieved deeply.  A part of me died when Lester Hall died.  I would like to say my grieving period is over now that I am happy with Darrell but I still miss him terribly.

During this time period I seemed to have lost my way in the world.  For two years I walked as if asleep, in a dream like world.  Present yet absent. 

Awakened now to what I once possessed and now no longer have, I look around to see a new world.  A world I recognize but changed and not all for the better.

New technology - super!
More government - greed!
Less Jobs - hopelessness!
Debt - devastating!
Attitude of the youth - selfish!

2012 is an election year. 

In my youth politics interested me.  With youthful exuberance I walked door to door preaching for a change to rid our government of corruption.  Little did I know then that power creates greed and corruption.  The men I believed in became just as corrupt as those I worked so hard to get out of office.

I became disillusioned and even though I voted, I no longer worked for any single person, believing no one was capable of fighting off the allure of sex, drugs and money.

I now see that I was wrong.  Not wrong to think that no one is incorruptible but wrong for not at least trying to find that person who can truly make a difference.

A couple of months ago a complete stranger knocked on my door soliciting my signature on his petition to run for office.  I didn't know him from Adam but there was something about him that made me believe that I could trust him.

I am going to stick my neck out one more time.  I believe Dave Barnes truly wants to make a difference and I am going to put on my walking shoes and start walking door to door campaigning for him.

Please don't slam the door in my face.  Give me a chance to make a difference just as I am giving Dave Barnes that chance.

What Ever Happened To That Book?

Christmas, Darrell's daughter-in-law, Kristy gave me a beautiful journal and pen.  I am grateful for the gifts, not because she was thoughtful by purchasing something lovely (and they truly are lovely) for me but because she paid attention to who I am and what I like.  When I thanked her she told all Darrell's family that I am writing a book. 

How sweet and considerate!  I am truly grateful.

So, what ever happened to that book?

I haven't completely abandoned it but I certainly have not been a good nurturing parent either. 

A funny thing happened on my way to becoming a famous author and artist. 

I stopped grieving.  Not completely.  I have moments when I miss Les so much I break down but most of the time I am truly happy once again.  (Thank you, Darrell)

It is difficult to write a book about grief and dying when one is happy.  Just the same I do believe my book needs to be written for those out there who are grieving deeply and can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Therefore, I will dig out my old notes and get back to the book. A blogging friend of mine starts his day off with his Hour Of Power (HOP).  Every morning he dedicates one hour to improving himself.  I have decided to begin my own HOP which will be dedicated to the book.  An hour a day is enough time.  More time spent on such a dreary subject would start bringing me down and I don't like that person.

Thank you Rich, for your clever idea.  I am sure it will be quite beneficial to me as it is to you.

How Long to Really Change

New year resolutions are all about exchanging old bad habits for new healthy fulfilling habits. 

Sounds easy, right?  Out with the old and in with the new.

But what did Pudd "N" Head Wilson say?   "Habit is habit and not to be flung out the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.?

I've heard it said that it takes 21 straight days of doing something different to make it a new habit. 

Well, I've done that and it didn't work.  I exercised 5 days a week for 2 years and first chance I got to quit, I did.

So how long does it really take to make a permanent change?

One study showed it took an average of 66 days before the behavior becomes automatic.  The study was not conclusive.  Some subjects made a permanent change in 18 days while others took a grueling 245 days.

Discouraging?

Yes -- but change takes time.

So, I've decided to look at this differently.  One big change such as my goal to regain my health takes many small changes.  I will break it down into bite sizes instead of swallowing the whole concept in one big greedy gulp.

1) Cut out sodas
2) Cut out fried foods
3)Reduce portion sizes
4)Eat more vegetables
5)Walk 30 minutes a day

There is no quick fix.  Instead of 21 days to achieve my goal I have elected to take 365 days.  I'll report back to you in 2013 with the final results.

Eat A Live Frog

I love Mark Twain quotes.  That man could say some of the most ridiculous things and still manage to hit the nail on the head.

One of his silly sayings was that if the first thing you did each morning was to eat a live frog, you could go through the rest of the day with the satisfaction of knowing that the day couldn't get much worse.

That being said I have decided to start my day off from this day forward by exercising.  It isn't that I hate to exercise because in truth I really don't mind, but I do hate to exercise alone.  I have tried to find people to exercise with me to no avail unless I want to hire them and that just isn't a feasible option.

My offer to exercise with me is open to any comers.  I promise not to groan and moan and complain too much.  I need you!

OK, I'll eat my frog alone.

My Shame

To my great charin, I never seem to finish what I start.  My home is filled with half-done projects.

     I bought new railing for my front porch.  Still in the garage 2 1/2 years later.
     Tore out door carpeting off front porch with intentions of painting it.  Oops it needed to be resurfaced. 
           I bought the resurfacing concrete but never resurfaced the porch.
     Started a scrapbook for Dad of our family Alaskan Cruise 2 years ago.
     Painted the wood work of one window in bedroom.  Never touched the others.
     Dug a hole in backyard for a fish pond.  Just a hole, nothing else.
     Writing a book about Art Journaling.  No farther now than I was a year ago.
     Made craft room and exercise room in basement, OK, just a craft room exercise room incomplete.

This is just a partial list.  Remember, I am the girl with the scathingly brilliant ideas.  The ideas just keep on coming but the motivation to complete the ideas just isn't there.  I quickly lose interest and look for another scathingly brilliant idea.

This leads me to my next resolution.

This work in progress is going to get organized so that I can start completing projects.

Pudd "N" Head Wilson said "Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time." (Mark Twain)  That being said, I know this is not going to be easy for me.  I have spent my whole life bouncing from one uncompleted project to the next.

The time has come to put a stop to this endless, mindless, unproductive behavior.

Just say NO.

First and Most Important Resolution

As all my friends and family know, I am an avid reader, so naturally when deciding to make 2012 the best year ever for this ole gal I got out the self-help books.  According to the "experts" a ho-hum resolution or goal such as I will get healthy this year just won't do the trick.  The words have to reach out and touch you and motivate you to make that change or in my case it has to reach out and slap me up the side of the head and yell something like "Get off your lazy ass and move".  That's what it took when I hired Trainer Nelson.  He was able to motivate me.  No longer do I go to see a trainer and I will not be going any time soon because I just don't have that type of money to spend.  It is now up to me.

So what do I really want 2012 to bring?

Better health,  That's right, I really want is to get my health back.  I hate to admit it but I have been having some symtoms of heart disease.  I have been to a cardiologist a couple of years ago who threw pills at me rather than giving me healthy alternatives.  Long story, but needless to say I won't be back to see him again.

I have been researching heart disease and have come to the conclusion the American doctor is over worked and does not have the time needed to treat his patients properly so he "throws pills" at them rather than consulting privately to discover what would work best for each individual.

Dr. Julian Whitaker wrote the book Reversing Heart Disease which outlines a program he offers in his clinic to prevent, treat, and eliminate cardiac problems without surgery.  What he asks of his patients is not easy but it works. 

It is a new life style. One that I intend to make mine.  I resolve to exchange the donuts for oatmeal and the beef for tuna.  Others have done it.  I can too!