A new perspective can make all the difference

I showed up at the gym today to go swimming.  As is common there was a water aerobics class going on taking up 2 or the 3 lanes of the pool.  My first impression when this happens is, "darn, not again".  Of course I am focused on myself  and MY workout which causes these thoughts and emotions.  But as I observed this group of people working out, my attitude changed and I thought how great it is that THEY too are working out.  Being active.  Striving to fight gravity that pulls us to a sedentary lifestyle.  Setting goals.  Socializing.  All of the reasons why I enjoy exercise.  It made me happy that we are all doing what we love to do.  The 3rd lane was open so I jumped in and did my swim workout.  

Some times I think we are so focused on ourselves that we overlook others.  I know this is the case with me.  We are all working our way through this crazy thing called life.  We are trying to not be part of the statistics of poor health that plagues our nation.  So, if you have similar emotions, join me as I start the new year with a resolution to share, appreciate others, have more patience, and cheer each other on to greater health.  

What the?

So I was running on my treadmill yesterday and nearing the end of my workout. I needed to keep going...blood was pumping...a little over a mile to go...speed was picking up so I did not want to pause or break it up in any way. Somehow I had clicked on to one of these "following the stars" kind of trashy shows. Basically tabloid type television. Sweet Baby Moses,I want my 10 minutes of life back. They spent 10 minutes on a debate of who is more of a super star and why between Justin Beiber and Lady Gaga. They had a panel of "experts" who debated this very "provacative" issue. How could my day continue without this highly stimulating discussion? They were teasing for after the commercial break on a heated discussion on the Kardashian's Holiday Card. And they are special why? I should have stopped my workout and just changed the channel but again I was in the groove. I would rather have my eye balls tatooed with a ball point pen than to go back to that show. I WANT MY TEN MINUTES BACK!!!!

What is the Spirit of Christmas?

Have you ever wondered about this spirit of Christmas that we speak about at this time of year? I think I discovered it in Taiwan.

Several years ago, right before Christmas I was in Taiwan for business. Taiwan is not a Christian country so I was pleasantly surprised to see symbols of Christmas in the airport, listening to music, stores and hotel. At first I thought, "yet again commercialism takes over the real meaning of Christmas.". But then I noticed symbolism that I did not normally notice. For example: the evergreen tree representing everlasting life of Christ.

Candy canes representing shepherd's crook. 

Lights...the light of Christ. 

Star...the star of Bethlehem. 

Songs with messages of Christ's birth. And so forth. 

Here I was on the other side of the world noticing much of the symbolism that I had forgotten over the years and I was feeling the spirit of Christmas.  While I was thinking about this, I was reminded of a scripture in the bible that reads:

"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.". John 1:9. 

If all of us are born with the light of Christ, is it possible that the Spirit of Christmas is the light of Christ burning a little brighter in all of us? Consider this. During the Christmas season we are singing songs about God and Christ. We are giving gifts. We are spending time with friends and family who we don't normally see which in many cases leads to softened hearts and forgiveness. We are looking at the symbols all around us from lights to trees. What is happening? Again, I think it is the light of Christ burning a little brighter within each of us.

So next time we look at the commercial aspect of Christmas, let us remember that even that is still  releasing the Spirit of Christmas.  

Merry Christmas!

Stupid calories take 2

I know it can be obnoxious to always be counting calories. 

However, if we don't who will do it for us? Certainly not the restaurants. We are so conditioned to think a good deal means ginormous amounts of food. 

 Consider this. I have a restaurant calorie counter on my iPhone. (by the way, I highly recommend it. Quite eye opening. Scan through this and there will be no doubt why being over weight and obesity is such an epidemic in our country). Before I dive into this, I am not anti restaurants. I love going to restaurants.  I am simply saying, we live in a land of abundance. We have choices. If we decide to go to Chilis restaurant for our lunch break and we get a burger with fries, here are a few options:

* Ground peppercorn burger with bleu cheese: 1520 Cal, 88g of fat, 120g carb, 55 g of prot, 12g fiber

* Southern Smokehouse Burger: 2080 Cal, 127 g of fat, 141 g carb, 91 g of prot, 10 g of fiber

Want to try a quesadilla?

* Quesadilla-jalapeño steak: 1520 Cal, 102 g of fat, 99 g of carb, 63 g of prot, 7 g of fiber

Let's go with a salad

* Range is from 140 cal for a house salad (i would imagine this is with no dressing) to 1400 Cal for the Quesadilla Explosion salad.

Wow! You get the point.

Stay tuned for other stupid calorie discussions. Remember, it starts with each of us making wise decisions.

What is the Spirit of Christmas?

Have you ever wondered about this spirit of Christmas that we speak about at this time of year? I think I discovered it in Taiwan.

Several years ago, right before Christmas I was in Taiwan for business. Taiwan is not a Christian country so I was pleasantly surprised to see symbols of Christmas in the airport, listening to music, stores and hotel. At first I thought, "yet again commercialism takes over the real meaning of Christmas.". But then I noticed symbolism that I did not normally notice. For example: the evergreen tree representing everlasting life of Christ.

Candy canes representing shepherd's crook. 

Lights...the light of Christ. 

Star...the star of Bethlehem. 

Songs with messages of Christ's birth. And so forth. 

Here I was on the other side of the world noticing much of the symbolism that I had forgotten over the years and I was feeling the spirit of Christmas.  While I was thinking about this, I was reminded of a scripture in the bible that reads:

"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.". John 1:9. 

If all of us are born with the light of Christ, is it possible that the Spirit of Christmas is the light of Christ burning a little brighter in all of us? Consider this. During the Christmas season we are singing songs about God and Christ. We are giving gifts. We are spending time with friends and family who we don't normally see which in many cases leads to softened hearts and forgiveness. We are looking at the symbols all around us from lights to trees. What is happening? Again, I think it is the light of Christ burning a little brighter within each of us.

So next time we look at the commercial aspect of Christmas, let us remember that even that is still  releasing the Spirit of Christmas.  

Merry Christmas!