"Choose to RESPOND and not...REACT."

Choose Your Response

"Sounds wise...huh? I know it is easier said than done!" It is one of those tools in life that are just part of life's journey to practice. So, it has been quite some time since my last post...and there has been some pretty big changes in my life. The most drastic change has been the decision to put my health first, in the midst of a career of passion. Along our journey in life, it can be so easy to habitually react to the tides of change and not arrive in a healthy spot. Now, I am committed to represent what I teach. There may still be some bumps in the road, and I know either way I will realign. 

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response." (Victor Frankl)

Within our environment we receive many, and/or are impacted by many stimulus every day. It can be a chosen stimulus; in passing, pressured, or influenced. A few examples pertaining to my chosen path of healthy living and balance are: Faith, family (husband & children), friends, fitness, food, and work. As a visual learner...I share some of my own visual reminders...

Parenting within itself  is a journey that requires patience, trail & error, and resilience. And, being a teacher is a constant reminder of the value to respond and not react!

Through the many trials in my life with health obstacles, I have learned that my body requires movement and exercise for my vitality. Our mind can so easily convince us otherwise! So, take that time in your space to stop your mind and body from reacting  to fatigue or pain and get moving!

Food...well that is just another process within itself! We require food to live, and not live to eat. Food can be so pleasurable at times, and as we all know...many Americans are emotional eaters. So, let everyday be a new day and practice mindful eating. Our bodies are all different in how they respond to specific food sensitivities and we require patience, trial & error, and cleansing to learn what is best for us individually!

Where do you find yourself requiring empowerment in that space between stimulus and response? So, come with me along my journey and process to take a moment  in mindfulness before reacting...and creating a response into our healthy lifestyle! 

Sowing Perseverance and Results!

Have you ever questioned yourself, " what do I communicate through my lifestyle???" I encourage you to contemplate, what values do you wish to pass along?

In one of my recent contemplations and reoccurring messages that I have received, stemmed from the following parable:

" A farmer went out to sow his seed. He scattered the seed, and some fell along the path, and the birds came along and ate them up. Some fell on dry rocky places, where there was not much soil. Life sprang up quickly, because soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered without root. Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and chocked the plants. Still others fell on good soil, where it produced a crop." (Matt 13:3-9)

What values do you display through mealtime, conversation, work, and/or your leisure time? What results do you produce not only through your values, but your words, actions, and desires?

I encourage you to dig deep, reflect, be open, and don't hold back from your reality! "What you feel inside often shapes the words that come out of your mouth. The reverse is true too. What you say shapes how you feel." (Lauren Winner)  With all this being said, what seeds do you desire to sow for yourself, spouse, children, friends, family, and all those you cross paths with??? We learn what we live!

Perseverance according to Merriam-Webster, is a continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failures, or opposition. In the parable of the Sower, the farmer spread his seeds in hope of fruit to be produced. Depending upon the path his seeds landing, resulted in no fruit, or an abundance.

There are many options in our lives for what path to follow or create. Which path you choose to sow will determine your RESULT! Life is a journey, not a destination...so, Persevere! Sometimes we follow or create the wrong path before arriving where we truly desired. That is ok. Every path has its purpose!

Choose to create your healthy lifestyle by making healthy choices
: Spirit, Mind, and Body.

Below are two exercise examples you can practice daily and anywhere . First, Tree Pose. Create your balance, alignment, and mindfulness. Second, Cherry Pickers. Great cardio you can create anywhere. You create your intensity on how fast you go, how high you raise your knees, and how high you reach with your arms. You can create a short burst of cardio just by doing Cherry Pickers in a Tabata format: 20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest, for 8 rounds.

Be Safe and have Fun!