Life is so short~

Last night my daughter and I went to a makeshift memorial - for three people who died this last week. One was a little 3 year old boy. He was with his parents and a little friend. They were at Baskin Robbins. While his parents ordered his ice cream he sat at the tiny table near the window excitedly waiting his ice cream treat. They all had been to the park and it was a special way to end a fun day out with his little playmate. A man driving dangerously fast, ran the red light, broadside a small truck driven by a woman out for the evening with her bestfriend, forcing them into the window of the Baskin Robbins killing the woman, her bestfriend and the little toddler. Our hearts are broken for these families. I can’t even imagine the pain the families must be feeling. Anyone who has children, knows the excitement a trip to the ice cream store can bring. No one would have ever have imagined such a tragedy would end this little guy’s life.

Life is so short.

Tomorrow will be the anniversary of 9/11. A day not one of us will ever forget. The lives of so many were taken from us. Lives of Fathers, Mothers, Sons and Daughters…. lives of people who had brought love and happiness to so many. That moment has forever changed us.

Life is so short.

Before retiring to my room last night to sleep, I hugged my daughter. Tears filled my eyes as I thought of those people who lost their sweet family members. I am so blessed.

Life is so short.

It’s a sobering thought to know we are not guaranteed our tomorrows. We have to make the most of each and every day we have. Hug our children, our loved ones and be sweet and kind to all we meet. The positive impact a thoughtful gesture can make in another’s life is invaluable… but the impact it makes in our lives is awesome.

September 10, 2008 | Filed Under My Everyday Life

The Benefits of being Near-Sighted~

The other day a friend of mine asked me, “How can you put a swimsuit on and swim in a public pool?” “Don’t you feel self-conscious?” I thought of her question later that day and came to the conclusion that I am able to do this for one reason and one reason only. I’m blind. Well, I’m almost blind. I arrive in the locker room, put my swimsuit on and take my glasses off - leaving them in my locker. I head to the shower and then to the pool passing many women along the way. I can see their figures, but I can’t really focus on their expressions. Perhaps, they don’t even notice my hideous body passing them in my oddly created black swimsuit. But even if they did, I wouldn’t notice. I actually see no looks of disapproval. Not even one! Thus, making it almost painless to suit up and head out to the lap pool.

Seriously, did they only come to the pool to see me in my swimsuit? Or maybe they came to swim and work-out to better themselves. Maybe, just maybe they are self-conscious in their swimsuits too. You see, my friend who asked me these questions, refuses to swim in a public pool. She wears a size 6. She’s cute as a button, but she feels that everyone will be judging her. There might be an ugly flaw on her - what appears to me, flawless body.

Being near-sighted helps me focus on me. Focusing on me, makes me “Me-Sighted.” Just the sound of that makes me feel self-centered. It’s a negative to me. Surprisely though, being “Me-Sighted” is not such a negative. However, it’s something I stopped doing a long time ago. I often wonder how I ever allowed myself to become so overweight. AND then I remember that I had gone years NOT focusing on me. Years stuffing my anger, stuffing my feelings of worthlessness and caring more about others than myself. Then as I got bigger and bigger, I cared more and more about the thoughts and judgements of others. When you’re overweight, people think it’s important they let you know you’re overweight. Wow! I’m so glad they took the time to tell me. I wouldn’t have ever noticed.

True or false?

Think about it, if I had stopped and noticed that I had gained 100’s of pounds - would I have continued doing what I was doing? OR would something snap in my head and make me focus on myself? Would I have become “Me-sighted” before things got so out of control?

Getting the Lap Band has forced me to become “Me-sighted.” If I go through life without focusing on things - i.e. eating and exercise, then getting the band was a huge waste of money and time. The band is only a tool. It won’t work without me. If I don’t plan my meals, I will fail. I know that about myself. I know that when I get hungry, I will reach for what is available. This is true for most people - whether thin or thick. Having the need to plan forces me to focus on myself, my nutritional needs and my desires. It forces me to be “Me-Sighted.”

Focusing on why I became the way I did and how I can avoid that in the future - makes me “Me-sighted” once more. Can I be successful if I’m not? Could I go swimming at a public pool if I wasn’t so near-sighted?

No, most likely not.

September 4, 2008 | Filed Under My Everyday Life

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Twenty-one Day Detox~

It’s been almost a week since I started my 21-day Detox Eating Plan. It’s a very strict Vegan way of eating! I am loving it! I have so much energy! Each meal has a protein in it. I never mix my fruit and veggies. I’m getting my protein in and I’m feeling great!

I will let you know how it goes! No weighing til it’s over! This is not about weight loss, it’s about feeling better and making better choices!

I love my Band! It helps me do these healthy plans!

September 2, 2008 | Filed Under My Everyday Life