Wiping the Slate Clean

Over at Sparkpeople, I have another blog about my health journey. While there I happened upon another person’s blog. In the description about herself were the words…“You will never lose the weight…I keep hearing that all through my journey.”

So due to this entry and because I am shedding body weight, I have also made a conscious decision to shed negative words from people in my past as well as today and in the future. I have decided to forgive, no longer get worked up by them, no longer allow those words to rule moments in my life and forget. I have decided today and the rest of the days of my life are wiped clean of any and all negativity. It is no good to constantly hear negative words echo over and over again. It is like having a hammer, banging nonstop, beating the inner optimism right out of my body. No more!!!!!!!!!!

There have been situations in which I have surfed through and situations in which I have struggled but managed to survive, where others have  loudly voiced their opinions but offered no helping hand. There are moments when I have taken 5 steps back for every 1 step forward and instead of support, criticism reigned. There have been many times I entered a space, not knowing if I could make it through, but despite those tripping me, shoving me and dragging me to the ground with their words, I have come through, more whole than when I started. In spite of what has happened, it has come down to looking upward at God, believing and trusting in His grace and believing in myself.

I sympathize with the woman who wrote about her daily struggle to get through and beyond the negative voice she keeps hearing. It is so hard to sprout new growth when dirt has been constantly dropped upon the seedlings of the heart. It is extremely difficult to shine as someone we should be when all of our lives we have heard consistent words berating the person we are. Sticks and stones do break bones and harsh words can kill a person.

Today, despite my weight loss, I am still overweight and I have much more to go to get to my goal of 120 lbs. But you know what? The important part of my current journey is recognizing, humbling rejoicing and giving myself a gigantic hug when small improvements are made. And then when others do have something negative to say, shrugging it off, wiping the slate totally clean and saying a prayer for them.

Being and staying positive throughout any journey, I believe, requires faith in God, friends who are honest, and knowing, without any doubts,  that no matter what we can accomplish whatever goal we set out to. That is how I have lived up to now. And that is how I will continue…

Do you have a slate that needs wiping clean? Maybe it is time. And once the slate is clean, knock together those erasers really hard to make sure the negativity has become dust and gets blown away. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!! That feels soooooooooo good!

Till Next Time My Friends…

J

Annie

Have A Little Faith Passing It On

I am passing on this book to SHADDY at Paper Cut Screams.   YEAH!!!! Shaddy!!!!!!! If you have not yet discovered her, hop on over to her blog to read some great thoughts and see some beautiful pictures!!!

Looking forward to seeing what you think of the book Shaddy!!!! It is coming on over soon

J

Annie

Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom

One genre of literature I thoroughly enjoy is inspiring works. This book, Have A Little Faith, definitely fits in that category. It is about 3 gentlemen and how their lives intertwined, branching out to grow the seed of faith in each other.

The first gentleman is a rabbi, from Mitch’s hometown, named Albert Lewis, but affectionately called Reb by Mitch. Years after Mitch has left, Reb calls on him to say his eulogy.  Mitch agrees but only if Reb will let him get to know him as a man. Fortunately, there is much more to the package.

The second gentleman is a reformed drug dealer and convict, touched by God and reformed into a pastor. Name of Henry Covington working in a run down church with a hole in the roof and in dire need of financial help. But this doesn’t stop Henry or his wife from opening the door to those living on the street, those needing a second chance, to those desiring a home. His church is well named-I Am My Brother’s Keeper, located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan.

The third gentleman is the author himself, Mitch Albom, as he meets up with, gets to know, and is deeply touched by the flame of faith both Reb and Henry ignite. Mitch even wrote the book hoping no matter what faith the reader is, a universal message would be gained.

Have A Little Faith is about faith, of course, but also about dying, love, giving it all for others, never quitting, believing and trusting in God and His miracles that occur everyday and living life with gratitude for loved ones, not coveting things.

As I was reading, I was also highlighting several sections that struck a chord in my heart. However, there was one that really hit home…

Mitch asks Reb what people fear most about death. Reb tells him the uncertainty of what comes next, where we will end up and is it what we thought it would be. Mitch agrees that these certainly are big fears. Reb responds by reminding Mitch there is another piece. That piece is ‘being forgotten.’

Many times I have visited my grandmother and grandfather’s gravesites. As I stand there, I have thought just what Reb talks about. When my parents are gone, I am gone and my kids are gone, who will keep their memory alive? Who will know the many stories my grandparents told, the many experiences I went through with them and the way they influenced my life? Years from now, even my parents, me and my kids may just be strangers as old photos are looked at. I can imagine a future relative saying, “Who was that?”

Have A Little Faith keeps the memory alive of one, the work of another in the present and the love of both reaching far beyond the grave and a crumbling church.

As Winter closes in, I highly recommend getting this book and spending an afternoon being touched with more than a little faith. Matter of fact, I would be more than willing to send my copy to the first person who asks for it in the comment section. But with a catch…after reading it, post a blog about it and then keep sending it on…sort of like paying it forward except person by person we will be spreading a little faith. Also, it would be neat if you signed your name and blog address in the front of the book where there are a few blank pages. This way you won’t be forgotten as the next person gets the book. If you are interested, please let me know. I will email you for your address. (Also, please let me know about your post, so I can pay a visit!)

Have A Little Faith…let the divine spark of yours shine on to light up someone else’s space in this world.

J

Annie

To make a donation to Henry Covington’s church visit http://mitchalbom.com. Click on the A Hole in the Roof Foundation, which provides an address where you can send a donation or an online link if you prefer to do so.

Just wondering…

I live in a time zone that uses Daylight Savings Time. In the fall, right after Halloween, we turn our clocks back 1 hour. In the spring, we leap our clocks ahead 1 hour. Every fall, I jokingly say I will use that extra hour to sleep. However…

What if not just once a year, but everyday, the clocks went back 1 hour? Extra time…one most of us longingly wish for. What would you use that 1 hour for? What would change in your life? How beneficial would it be or not?

Just wondering…cause I am still pondering it.

J

Ann

Sunday Smorgasbord

We wish for more in life rather than more of it.    -Jean Ingelow

J

Annie

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net