Music Video:

After the Epiphany

by Elayne Clift

I still rise every morning and brush my teeth. Sometimes I complain if the coffee is cold or the soup is too hot. I often wish I were five pounds thinner and didn't have lines tugging at the edge of my lips. I get tired. I feel angry. I worry about my kids. I want people to call back, and things to work the way they should. I daydream about places I'd like to go, and things I ought to have said.

But now, I linger in the morning just so I can listen to wind whispers, and the joyous cacophony of bird songs. I walk with my eyes open and my head up, and I watch the ballet of tree boughs. I touch the roses. I smell the dew upon their velvet lips. I sit by myself for long hours and never feel lonely. I work, calm. I wait for spirit voices to soul-talk. I know that to be alive is everything.

I rejoice.

Yesterday, I provided that marvelous link for keeping track of your progress and the benefits of using a pedometer! In the past, I never left the house without my pedometer, by tracking my progess I found favorable results. Walking is a gift that can be used anytime, anyplace! It's easy to lose sight of your objective if you can't view the outcome.

One of the most helpful and life changing 'websites' that I've discovered is Coping.org.    Authors James J. Messina, Ph.D., & Constance M. Messina, Ph.D. have provided onsite manuals for coping with a variety of life's stressors called 'Tools for a Balanced Lifestyle' , they are free for the taking. If you take away nothing else from my blog, please, take that information as it is truly life changing.

Tomorrow morning, I plan on taking my measurements, as I mentioned before I'm on a mission to tone up my muscles, this will be a better indicator of my success than my scale. Read this article from Fit 'N' Well  Even if you're not losing weight, muscle gain is a definite improvement, and is the ultimate goal. A very informative article I want to share, here! My aim is to work on my butt, inner and outer thighs, and my lower back. Wish me luck.

Walking is a wonderful exercise because it soothes the body and mind. Walking in nature is kind of like a massage for the soul. It's the one time of day where my worries and daily stresses just fall away. I can be me. I don't need to talk, or think, I can simply relax. I could have a heart to heart with God, without any interruptions. When I first started walking, I could barely make it down to the end of the block. But as my condition improved, I was able to go a little bit farther and with time my speed increased. It's amazing how good you start to feel! Just a fact to share: Beta-endorphins are produced after only 20 minutes of brisk walking! I might be optimistic, in hoping that someone out there reading my blog, will join me and share their own experiences in altering their lifestyles for the better. Leave your own reflections here and provide a link back to your blog, so I can visit you there!

Blessings,

Thea >< ><

Posted by 2cupsOjava4me

I enjoyed reading your blog today. Life can get so overwhelming that sometimes we forget to stop and listen for that "still, small voice." Glad your morning went well. Your writing is beautiful.

Blessings,
Lori