48.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)
another year, over. No do-overs. No take-backs. Only lessons to be learned and new choices to be made.
Lord, am I where you want me? Am I living the life you’ve given the me the way you know would be best?
I want to be a living sacrifice for You. But sometimes – much of the time – I know my choices are driven by my own idea of what that looks like.
What does it look like to You, God?
My fear is that my desires are selfish and much bigger than those you have for me.
Is it possible that the plans you have for me involve me sitting across the table from one person, listening, asking questions and sharing my faith one on one? That this book I’m writing is equipping me for those conversations, but will never actually be read? or even finished?
Is it possible that the plans you have for me mean that the primary reason I’m recording is for the witness that occurs during the recording sessions themselves and that these recordings will live forever on my computer in obscurity?
And those things are good. Very, very good.
But you know I want more. Is that from You?
The last thing I want to do is pursue a dream you haven’t given me. I’m desperate to saturate myself in your will and I want to have tunnel vision when it comes to following Your lead. Please don’t let me pursue anything that actually takes me away from You. Please show me what I could or should be doing to bring You glory.
I think of the story about You asking a man to push against a rock. Day after day, year after year, the man pushed, eventually becoming discouraged, saying, “God, I give up. I’ve pushed and pushed with all my strength and I haven’t moved this rock even one inch. What did I do wrong? Why did I fail?”
The story says that you replied by saying, “I didn’t ask you to move the rock. I only asked you to push against it. You say you’ve failed, but have you? Look how strong you’ve become. You’ve done exactly what I asked.
Now I will move the rock.”
I know you don’t need my help Lord. Please allow me to serve you anyway. Please use me anyway. Please guide me. Please equip me. Help me to be obedient. Please don’t ever let me give up.
Too often, we bide our time with the routine of a life that we hope
will one day take us across the chasm. Our days become stacked upon other days.
And as time moves forward, we think about the great abyss in our quieter moments.
We wonder if we should take the leap soon.
But the busyness of our days pulls us back from the edge and we perpetually postpone it.
Why? Because we are afraid we do not have the strength to make it.
Don’t let that happen. You’re stronger than you think.
Dr. Les Parrott
the hard is what makes it great.
“If it was easy, everyone would do it” is one of my mantras.
I say it to my kids when they struggle with ANYthing and I see discouragement or frustration start to set in. I say it to my husband, friends, clients and sometimes, even strangers.
I say it to myself.
A lot.
When I’m supposed to be writing and find myself staring at the screen, fingers atrophied over the keyboard.
When I spend two hours writing, proofread what I’ve written and immediately want to start over.
When I’m trying to curl a 15 pound dumbbell for the 12th time in my second set.
When I’m 2 minutes and 20 seconds into my 2 minute, 30 second forearm plank.
When I’m trying not to fly off the back of the treadmill during my HIIT walking program.
When I drag myself off the couch to pick up that stupid dumbbell or put on my walking shoes.
When I’m 3 seconds short of an 18 second note I’ve been trying to hold out. For the 100th time.
When my voice breaks on that high note I’m trying to hit in full voice. After two years of voice lessons.
When I’m vocalizing for the third time in a day in an attempt to get the “right” technique to become second nature.
Just a few weeks ago, during a break in a recording session, I mentioned something about needing to work on something with my voice teacher. The sound technician said, “YOU have a voice teacher!?” I responded with a big “Heck, YEAH!” He paused for a moment and then said, “It just seems more like you would teach voice lessons, not take them.” I quickly and firmly told him that I will never be too good for voice lessons.
But that exchange emphasized a very common misconception: The things people are good at just come naturally to them.
SO not true.
And the persistence of that mindset devalues the accomplishment, no matter what it is. The persistence of that mindset liberates other people from trying. It turns a potential mentor into someone to be resented and berated. Instead of being viewed as someone who met a goal as a result of hard work, they are instead viewed as “lucky.” Rather than inspiring someone else to take their own steps toward better and stronger, they become a discouragement to others. Because the perception is that whatever the goal, it’s not achievable by anyone but the lucky ones.
The book, Talent Is Overrated
practice.
The fact is that excellence isn’t easy. It doesn’t happen without work. Usually hard work. Developing a skill takes time. and repetition.
and repetition.
and repetition.
Experience is a teacher in and of itself.
What most people don’t realize is that mediocrity is only one short day of slackin away. Just because I do something well, doesn’t mean I’ve finished learning or practicing.
The fact that I was in a writing zone yesterday doesn’t insure against writer’s block tomorrow.
Being satisfied with today’s writing doesn’t mean I won’t be filled with doubt and repulsion about tomorrow’s.
The ability to lift a 15 pound dumbbell today doesn’t mean I won’t have to opt for 10 pounds tomorrow.
Making it through a 2 minute, 30 second plank today doesn’t mean I won’t collapse at 2 minutes the next day.
Finishing the 30 minute HIIT treadmill program today is no guarantee that I won’t wimp out the next time.
The fact that extracted myself from the couch today doesn’t mean won’t stay curled up on it tomorrow.
As I’ve discovered, holding a note for 18 seconds one time, does NOT mean I can now do it any time I want.
The same is true for that high note – once does not mean always.
Even after spending hundreds of hours practicing the “right” way to sing, I still drift into old habits . . .
For me, excellence isn’t a destination I’ll ever arrive at and rest comfortably. Because of my relentless determination to be a good steward of all that God has blessed me with, the striving for excellence is a lifetime journey.
To find out why I’m so obsessed with striving for excellence, check out this post: I. Want. More.
Ab workout AND entertainment.
10:33pm.
Shoulder Devil: “It’s late. You did the HIIT training. Skip the rest.”
Shoulder Angel: “There’s still an hour and a half left in the day. Don’t listen to him. If it wasn’t for me, your body fat percentage would still be 51%”
Shoulder Devil:: “hhhhhh. okay, fine. then just do the plank. Skip the strength training. You’re tired. You can do strength training tomorrow.”
Shoulder Angel:: “He’s right.”
Shoulder Devil:: “I am?”
Shoulder Angel:: You should do strength training tomorrow. You should do tomorrow’s strength training tomorrow. Do today’s strength training today.”
Shoulder Devil:: “no, that’s not what I meant…”
Shoulder Angel:: You don’t have to do the Power Half Hour, just do one of the 10 Minute DVDs” .”
Shoulder Devil:: “Don’t listen to him, he’s a fanatic. He’s talking about 10 Minutes. What’s the big deal about 10 lousy minutes?”
Shoulder Angel:: “EXACTLY my point.”
Shoulder Devil:: “NO! That’s not what I meant…”
Shoulder Angel:: “HEY! remember that FIRM 5 Day Ab workout from the 90s? Do that! Day one is only 6 minutes!”
And that’s how I ended up with this video in the DVD player tonight.
(and you’re welcome. this video clip is so blurry you can’t see that the shorts on the guys in this video are WAY too short. T. M. I. and ewww. and again. ewww. and who says “supine? My whole life I’ve never said the word “supine.”)
everything matters.
When we intentionally strive to view life through God’s eyes, everything we see looks different.
Every situation is infused with the possibility of greater meaning.
Every interaction is saturated with the potential for life changing pivot points.
Choices we previously made without a second thought take on greater significance.
We realize that everything is bigger than we thought.
Everything matters.
do the right thing because it’s the right thing.
Last night I was repeating: “God loves my kids more than I do. God loves my kids more than I do. God loves my kids more than I do.”
FavoriteSon went out. On a Friday night. First time driving in heavy traffic IN THE DARK.
“God loves my kids more than I do. God loves my kids more than I do. God loves my kids more than I do.”
In the end, God brought FavoriteSon home safe.
Actually, his friend drove him home because they finished up after 11pm and his dad and I won’t allow him to drive past the State of Florida driving curfew for 16 year olds (11pm). We have to go pick up his car today, but it’s a very small price to pay to reinforce the lesson that we don’t break the law, even if he “probably wouldn’t have gotten caught.”
everyone needs a Shoulder Coach.
treadmill. 5% incline. 3.5mph.
Shoulder Coach: “really? that’s all you got?”
Me: “6% incline. are you happy?”
Shoulder Coach: “for now.”
Me: “you’re gonna give me shin splints.”
Shoulder Coach: “your shins hurt?”
Me: “no. not yet.”
Shoulder Coach: “Then quitcherbellyachin”
I didn’t shave my legs for nothin.
Yesterday, I went back to yoga for the first time since tearing my MCL on December 2nd. My knee has been feeling pretty good, so I intentionally put on yoga shorts that morning. As the time to leave the house got closer, I debated. I was on a writing roll. If I stopped, I would lose momentum. and the coffee was so good. (Joffrey’s Jamaican Me Crazy)
LazyMe: “I don’t wanna go. I’m comfortable.”
AnnoyingMe: “Come on. After class is over, you’ll be glad you did it.”
LazyMe: “ehhh.”
AnnoyingMe: “What is it you always say? That you’re ‘striving to be a good steward of the body God has blessed you with?’”
LazyMe: ” It’s early. I’ve got all day. I can be a good steward later.”
AnnoyingMe: “Did you shave your legs for nothing?”
LazyMe: (sigh) “alright. I’m goin.”
Last night, I was really feeling the after-effects of this pose (below).
My whole body hurt – from holding it perfectly still for a total of just a few minutes.
Source: cookinglight.com via Julie on Pinterest
.
Tonight, I’m feeling it even more.
There’s only one thing to do. Go back tomorrow.
long overdue fitness update: 1/26/12
It’s been a while since I updated my fitness log. Tomorrow marks EIGHT weeks since my partial MCL tear and ACL strain! Recommended healing for my injury was 6 to 8 weeks!
YEAH! I’m HEALED! (yes. this is how I think)
First day back to the incline treadmill walking (at an incline of 4 and a speed of 3 mph). I think I’ll take it slow and only walk a mile or two. Unless I decide to walk 5 miles a day till the end of the month to get to an average of a mile a day for the entire month. (yes. this is how I think.)
On another note, I was doing my two minute forearm plank a few weeks ago and FirstHusband said, “Ya know, I’m kind of surprised you’re still satisfied with a two minute plank. That’s not like you.”
seriously? He had to plant that thought in my freakishly self-competitive head?
So, I’m up to two minutes, ten seconds. The new goal is to be able to do a three minute plank by the end of the year.
stupid husband.
healthy doesn’t just happen.
What I wanted to do: “Sit here curled up on the couch in front of the Christmas tree with a blanket, coffee and a book, listening to my December rehearsal CD.”
What I did instead: “Walked/Jog one HITT mile before going to BodyInUnity yoga.”
Because healthy doesn’t just happen.
I want to be a good steward of this body God has blessed me with!
And I want to be stronger in the long run, more than I want to be comfortable in the moment.
Did I mention what I wanna do?
fight the frump: August fitness goals
In my continuing quest to be a good steward of this body God has blessed me with, I’ve set my August fitness goals.
How did I do in July? shhhhhh. Let’s not talk about it. July was pitiful.
pit. i. ful.
no excuses. wasn’t sick, not overwhelmingly busy, just easily found other things to do.
But I MISS sweating, believe it or not. And I miss the sore muscles that come with the knowledge and satisfaction of working them to failure. The way I see it, strength training that doesn’t fail the muscle is a waste of time – and if I’m going to take the time to do strength training, I want the time to be well spent.
But I digress.
It’s the fourth day of August and I’m back on track with my fitness goals. Here’s what I’m shooting for this month:
In addition to averaging two 6.5 incline miles & one 2 minute forearm plank EVERY day,
I’m trying a three day rotation this month:
1st Day – Work Upper Body
(20 BOSU push-ups, 20 shrugs (holding a 12 lb dumbbell in each hand), 30 tricep dips, 3 sets of “21s”)
2nd Day – Work Lower Body
(20 Lunge Walking Steps, 20 one leg chair squats, 40 Abductor Leg Lifts, 40 Adductor Leg Lifts (ALL each leg), (2) 30 second wall squats)
3rd Day – Work Core
(20 balance ball back extensions, 15 (each arm) bent rows, 20 balance ball oblique crunches each side, 20 Jackknife Sit-ups), 10 balance ball leg lifts
sweat and repeat.
And my FAVORITE yoga classes start up again the week of August 22nd!
So far, so good. To check my progress, CLICK HERE to see my fitness log.
Cheddar Jack Cheez-its, you have no power over me. today.
Problem: I want a fistful of Cheddar Jack Cheez-its.
(Regular Cheez-its pose no threat to me. But . . . these are CHEDDAR JACK Cheez-its. They have Cheez-it SUPERPOWERS.)
Strategy: I’m going to get a nectarine. and if I still have room for Cheez-its, I’m getting a fistful of cherries.
(I may still want Cheez-its after that, but there won’t be room. That’s my theory anyway.)
Today, I’m going to be a good steward of this body God has blessed me with.
And I will not whine about it.
much.
nectarine gone. going to get a fistful of cherries now.
June Fitness: progress, not perfection.
If you’ve been around Compendium before, you know my goal: To be a good steward of this body God has blessed me with.
Because my personal fitness history shows I can’t be trusted and that I desperately need the motivation of accountability, I put my June fitness goals out here on the internet and have been blogging, facebooking and tweeting my progress.
How did I do? I didn’t meet all my goals.
again.
But I’m STRONGER than I was a month ago!
June Totals
6.5% Incline Miles Walked: 52 – GOAL!
Strength Training/Yoga Days: 0 (FAIL. NOT. ONE. DAY. Sad and pitiful.)
2 Minute Planks: 30 – GOAL!
Back Extensions: 300 – GOAL!
BOSU Pushups: 300 – GOAL!
Tricep Reps: 315 – EXCEEDED GOAL BY 15!
Oblique Crunches: 205 (not on the goal list, just working on the love handles)
Days Supplements Taken: 16 (14 days short of goal)
Fruit Servings: 34 (26 short of goal)
(See the daily JUNE ENTRIES HERE)
I’ve just about decided on July’s goals and I’ve decided I need to shorten the window of accountability from a month to a week, so I’ve also decided to join Ragamuffin Soul (Carlos Whitaker) and An Idol Heart (Grant Jenkins) in their 12 week quest to “get their sexy back.”
They’re asking for WEEKLY check-ins. It appears I need that, or I may continue in my pattern of slacking an entire week and flippin KILLING myself to make it up. I’m slightly stubborn.
(“sexyback11?” I know. Guys can relate ANYthing to sex, even exercise and dieting) Kind of annoying that every post is supposed to have the “sexyback11″ hashtag. I have to override my computer’s parental controls EVERY time I read someone’s sexyback11 update.)
eek! only two days left…
to meet my June fitness goals!
If you’ve been around Compendium before, you know my goal: To be a good steward of this body God has blessed me with.
Here’s
(1) where I am and
(2) what I need to do within the next two days if I have ANY hope of meeting my goals:
June Totals as of 6/28
Incline Miles Walked: 46 (need 6 more miles)
Strength Training/Yoga Days: 0 (need 8 – obviously not gonna happen)
2 Minute Planks: 26 (need 4 more)
Back Extensions: 265 (need 35 more)
BOSU Pushups: 250 (need 50 more)
Tricep Reps: 280 (need 20 more)
Oblique Crunches: 180 (not on the goal list, just working on the love handles)
Days Supplements Taken: 15 (didn’t make this goal, seriously, how hard is this?)
Fruit Servings: 28 (wanted to be at 60 for the month)
(See the daily JUNE ENTRIES HERE)
I’m already thinking about July’s goals and I’m thinking about joining Ragamuffin Soul (Carlos Whitaker) and An Idol Heart (Grant Jenkins) in their 12 week quest to “get their sexy back.”
(it would seem that guys can relate ANYthing to sex, even exercise and dieting) I have to override my computer’s parental controls every time I read someone’s update because they’re using the hashmark “sexyback11″ on everything!
fitness update: 6/24/11
If you’ve been around Compendium before, you know my goal: To be a good steward of this body God has blessed me with.
I fell behind on my fitness goals this past week and woke up determined to devote much of my day to catching up a little. It wore me down, but with God’s help, I got through it.
Today (06/24/11)
Walked 7 miles in three separate stints of 2 miles, 3 miles and 2 miles,
3 two minute planks,
30 BOSU push-ups,
45 tricep reps,
45 back extensions,
45 oblique crunches
(See ALL JUNE ENTRIES HERE)
June Totals as of 6/24
Incline Miles Walked: 35 (should be at 42)
Flat Miles Walked: 2
Strength Training/Yoga Days: 0 (should be at 6)
2 Minute Planks: 18 (should be at 24)
Back Extensions: 215 (should be at 240)
BOSU Pushups: 170 (should be at 240)
Tricep Reps: 200 (should be at 240)
Oblique Crunches: 115 each side (not on the goal list, just working on the love handles)
Days Supplements Taken: 13 (should be at 16)
Fruit Servings: 28 (should be at 32)
exercise make-up day: 4:11pm
Check out this morning’s “exercise make-up day: 10:47am” post to see how the morning went…
2:41pm
arrrgg. I got on the treadmill too late to complete my next 2 miles. I’m only at 1.39 miles (in 24 minutes). Have to leave the house to pick up PinkGirl from play rehearsal and finish up when I get back.
But I’m okay with that. I could have looked at the clock and blown off the 1.39 miles because I couldn’t finish my goal of walking 2.
3:34pm
Back on the treadmill as soon as I returned home. Finished up that 2nd mile . . . and, since I was already on the treadmill, I added another mile.
4:07pm
Finished my second “make-up” set of strength training exercises for the day.
10 BOSU push-ups,
15 tricep reps,
15 back extentions,
15 oblique crunches.
Running Total for Today: Walked 5 interval, (6.5) incline miles, 20 BOSU push-ups, 30 tricep reps, 30 back extentions, 30 oblique crunches…(so far, day’s not over!)
Got to get some more “real” work done before 5pm. Then, round three!
Who else is working on being a good steward of these bodies God has blessed us with today?
exercise make-up day: 10:47am
8:30am – Declaration!
I’ve slacked all week on being a good steward of this body God has blessed me with.
Didn’t want to, but got dressed in workout clothes first thing. Today must be a catch up day. MUST.
The plan is to nick away at it all day. at least 6 miles, two at a time. along with the push-ups, tricep kickbacks, back extensions and oblique crunches.
there. I’ve typed it out loud. now I have to do it.
10:25am – accountability update
Two (6.5) incline miles down. (interval miles, even!)
TMI: if I’m going to spread these workouts over my entire day, I’m gonna need to include showers in the plan. “glistening” is for wimps.
10:47 – accountability update
10 BOSU push-ups,
15 tricep reps,
15 back extentions,
15 oblique crunches.
Got to get some “work” work done now. Then, round two!
Who else is working on being a good steward of these bodies God has blessed us with today?
fitness update: 6/16/11
If you’ve been around Compendium before, you know my goal: To be a good steward of this body God has blessed me with.
Picking Up FirstHusband from the airport at 4:30pm. THANK YOU GOD. He’s been gone since Sunday and my children have worn me as thin as a 10 year old flip flop.
I fell 2 more miles behind on the walking today. I have no good excuse. Not even gonna try to make one up or lie to myself. Just poor time management.
BUT. I DID meet my other daily fitness goals today:
06/16/11 – 1 two minute plank, 10 BOSU push-ups, 10 tricep reps, 10 back extensions, 10 oblique crunches (See ALL JUNE ENTRIES HERE)
June Totals as of 6/16
Incline Miles Walked: 24 (should be at 32)
Flat Miles Walked: 2
Strength Training/Yoga Days: 0 (should be at 4)
2 Minute Planks: 13 (should be at 16)
Back Extensions: 150 (should be at 160)
BOSU Pushups: 140 (should be at 160)
Tricep Reps: 155 (should be at 160)
Oblique Crunches: 70 each side (not on the goal list, just working on the love handles)
Days Supplements Taken: 11 (should be at 16)
Fruit Servings: 19 (should be at 32)
fitness update: 6/15/11
If you’ve been around Compendium before, you know my goal: To be a good steward of this body God has blessed me with.
I fell behind on my June fitness goals on the very first day of the month and I’ve been struggling to catch up every day since then.
I REFUSE TO GIVE UP!!! As long as it’s still June, I still have a chance.
Today, I was able to double my daily walking goal, but at the end of the evening, I found myself short a two minute plank and 5 BOSU pushups.
ugh.
I wanted to go to bed. But I KNEW that if I could just handle a lousy two and a half minutes, I could go to bed without waking up disappointed that I allowed myself to fall even further behind.
So I just got it done.
06/15/11 – Walked 4 miles (6.5 incline), 1 two minute plank, 10 BOSU push-ups, 10 tricep reps, 10 back extensions, 10 oblique crunches (See ALL JUNE ENTRIES HERE)
June Totals as of 6/15
Incline Miles Walked: 24 (should be at 30)
Flat Miles Walked: 2
Strength Training/Yoga Days: 0 (should be at 4)
2 Minute Planks: 12 (should be at 15)
Back Extensions: 140 (should be at 150)
BOSU Pushups: 130 (should be at 150)
Tricep Reps: 145 (should be at 150)
Oblique Crunches: 60 each side (not on the goal list, just working on the love handles)
Days Supplements Taken: 10 (should be at 15)
Fruit Servings: 18 (should be at 30)
5 minutes for petrified croutons & other science experiments.
This post proves that I will do anything to distract myself while trying to get through the last half mile of a 5 mile catch-up walk on the treadmill at a 6.5 incline…
As usual, I don’t have time to devote a full day (or 7) to concentrated cleaning, so I’m once again applying my long time practice of microactions to tackle deep cleaning my kitchen.
The recent “worms in the fridge” episode has me focused on cleaning my refrigerator. You’d think that the shelf with the worms on it would get my attention, but no. The drawer that was so stuffed it wouldn’t open gets first dibs. I had 5 minutes, so I completely emptied and cleaned it out.
Includes emptying out the drawer (including the loose, petrified croutons) cleaning the drawer bottom, searching for science experiments and tossing them out, combining the contents of multiple open packages of the same items and reloading the drawer – leaving out the food that shouldn’t have been in there in the first place.
Here’s the photo documentary of this exciting event:
And my theory is that nobody really wants to see the science experiments that were discovered and discarded, but if I’m wrong, HERE THEY ARE.
What can you clean in 5 minutes?
New to Compendium? Peruse my topics & my “little known facts” page to see if we have anything in common, watch a short video of my testimony or check out my website, vocal samples or speaking samples.
Feel free to steal my ideas, ponder my musings, disagree with my rants, jump on my bandwagon, read my favorite books, comment, email me, or just lurk. Whatever works for you.
Most Recent 10- the efficacy of prayer.
- conversations with a born-again atheist: abandoning Santa.
- comfort zones.
- conversations with a born-again atheist: some behind the scenes banter
- conversations with a born-again atheist: the Santa comparison
- that’s just sad, that’s what it is.
- conversations with a born-again atheist: comparing belief in God to belief in Santa. and faires. and WibbleFoo.
- conversations with a born-again atheist: the “shotgun” email (more reasons why faith is unreasonable, illogical and irrational.)
- conversations with a born-again atheist: why faith is unreasonable, illogical and irrational.
- sanctimonious.
Fitness Log: April
April Totals as of 4/3
HIIT Incline Days: 2
HIIT Incline Miles: 7.5
HIIT Incline Hours: 2.5
Strength Training/Yoga Days: 1
Forearm Planks: 2Recent Comments
multiplemom on the efficacy of prayer. Alberto Mason on sanctimonious. grace on sanctimonious. Julie Stiles Mills on conversations with a born-agai… Atomic Mutant on conversations with a born-agai… -
Where Ya’ll From?
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