Heart of Thanks: Day 4

~*Day 4*~

DONE! 

I delayed my workout.  

Like, by 30 minutes. I felt myself slipping into old habits... So I got up, and jumped into my workout. Possibly with tears in my eyes, but I got it done!!!!  

Biggest challenge today? LUNGE KICKS! 

I'm committed. 

Not just interested. 

I will see this through. 

Had Pumpkin Spice Shakeology *yum!* and a mile run in today!!! 

I can't wait to see the results of this round. 

Want to join me???? See post HEART OF THANKS for more details! (http://pamdiggity.blogspot.com/2015/10/heart-of-thanks-challenge.html)

I'm going to be transparent with you today. 

I just finished my workout, but I've got something real heavy on my mind. 

I'm sure you've seen my posts about "battling past depression", but today, I want to get a little real with you. 

I learned yesterday a young man took his life... He was twelve. This breaks my heart. 

My life story is full of laughter and animation (my parents can attest to that!) but I want to share with you briefly a few not-so-happy recollections I have of my past. 

I faced some mental hardships at 17. Was it anything in particular that triggered this turmoil? No, not really. I was just severely unhappy with myself. There were days I would hardly eat, and days I would eat all day long. I didn't have any real friends to connect to and I felt isolated and alone. This time period didn't last too terribly long, but the heart pains and dark depressive thoughts that attacked me made it seem like forever. 

It was during this time that I received some of the absolute best advice I could have heard. "Pam, be yourself. Be exactly who YOU are. You don't need anyone but Jesus. Maintain your relationship with your savior, let Him lead your decisions, friendships, and heart." 

Was I alone? Sure, physically I didn't have friends surrounding me, but my heart was full. I spent more time reading the Word of God, praying, fasting... My days was spent with school, work and shut up in my bedroom with my Bible. 

I lost an Aunt to suicide that December. It really shook me, because similar thoughts had haunted me just three months before-- but I had tapped into strength to ground me. Something no one could take away. My relationship with Jesus mattered far more than what I perceived others were thinking of me. 

It was just 2 months later, I met Joseph. I wasn't looking for him, nor did I want a relationship. But I had been praying and fasting God lead my life-- and as "they" say, I guess "the rest is history". 

God brought me through such a trying time to a season of joy and laughter -- and I only found it by drawing near to Him. 

Regardless of who agrees with me or not, I know that JESUS is the answer for "the world" today. But how do you change "the world"??? 

ONE PERSON AT A TIME. 

How do you change "one person"? 

BY STARTING WITH YOU. 

Be the example. Dive into The Word of God. Allow God to direct YOU -- and in turn, you can lead with passion & purpose. Love God & Love People. 

Be the One. 

Make an impact. 

Reach to those around you. You NEVER know what people, kids, children are going through. 

Be the Light. 

Illuminate the dark.

My Heart Focus Today: 

I am thankful for the Love of God. I cannot say it enough. There's nothing like it. He reaches to us where we are, regardless of where we are in our lives. He brings hope and love. He has fashioned us for a purpose! Before we were formed in the womb He fashioned us for a purpose in this life. We are HIS children! I cannot thank Him enough for keeping His hand over my life!! 

Heart of Thanks: Day 3

This morning was a lot like yesterday-- I AM WAKING UP SORE! Seriously! Like, all over, SORE! It's a WONDERFUL feeling of PROGRESS and CHANGE! It's Day "3" and I'm currently down 4 pounds! *YAY!*

I was able to work out a few kinks with the "lengthening and strengthening" moves of Pilates... Today, I struggled with the fire hydrants! Phewwwwww! Talk about BURN! 

My Simple Combine & Shake recipe for Shakeology was delicious this morning! 8oz Coffee, 1 Scoop Shakeo, 1/2 cup crushed ice. Shake and drink!!! 🎉🎉

I realize the choice to change is one you have to make every day you wake up. Having people you're accountable to helps, on the real. IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE!!!! 

I had surprise visitors this morning so I postponed my run to this evening! ((SEE ABOVE!)) 

The thought crossed my mind that it wasn't really 100% necessity that I run tonight... And I thought about the 8 days prior to this moment and realized I just really didn't want to waste a start to a running streak - AGAIN! 

Something exciting for my chirrin' today--- their School Veteran's Day Breakfast! ((Naomi and Zayne were completely thrilled that they were able to eat breakfast with their grandfathers. Absolutely nothing like PawPaws and PaPas!!!)) 

Speaking of Veterans..... 

Today My Heart Focus is on Our Veterans.

I am so very thankful for all Veterans... past, present, and future. Some gave their freedom to preserve ours, while some gave their life. The sacrafices made by our service men & women are above and beyond the call of duty, and without their willingness to serve, our country would not be what it is today. Its a rarity, that we can have freedom to choose where we worship, who we worship, what to say... the little things we take for granted can be traced back to the sacrifices made first on the cross, by Jesus Christ and also by a veteran. 

"The task before you is never greater than the POWER behind you." 

The love of your family, the appreciation and prayers of your country, and the mighty hand of the Lord are with you!

(Ephesians 6:10)

Lord, thank you for the men and women who serve to protect your people so selflessly!!!!

Heart of Thanks: Day 2

Day TWO! 

SERIOUSLY?? So. Not even kidding. Today my mindset has been "Commitment means staying loyal to what you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left you." When my alarm went off this morning I didn't feel bouncy! I finally got the kiddos up and on the bus and I grabbed my E&E, drank it down and laid back down for 15 minutes. 😂🙈 I NEEDED those 15 minutes!!!

I realized my commitment to myself is just as important as those to other people -- why are we so quick to let ourselves down?? I had committed to pressing play by 7:30 for 21 days. Just 21 days -- and I'm JUST on day 2!! 🤗 

I pressed play at 7:30. I won the battle against the army of excuses that was so ready to fight my goals. 

Oh Achey Shoulder!!! 💪🏻 Flys and Military Press was a little challenging with a tender rotator cuff-- but it's DONE! 

Chased my fix with a mile run and GREENBERRY Shakeology! 🎉 

Have you committed to making a change, and burn out before the week is up? #stopgivinguponyourself 

Visit the post "Heart of Thanks Challenge" (http://pamdiggity.blogspot.com/2015/10/heart-of-thanks-challenge.html) if you're tired of failing and want an accountability partner. Together, we can do this!!! 

My Heart Focus today is my husband, Joseph Williamson. This man never ceases to amaze me. Just a short few years ago I was weighted in depression and severe self-"hate", so much so that it affected our relationship adversely. 

Joseph began his journey to obtain a healthier lifestyle in 2012, and his dedication and drive was INSANE... I was proud of him, but deep down inside... 

...I felt like he was leaving me behind- and I was sinking deeper! But something clicked in me--- He believed in me, encouraged me, and I decided to try! 

His "encouragement" sometimes came across my defensive ears as criticism, but I knew deep down, it was his way of trying to lift my spirits and keep me engaged and motivated! Lots of prayers and tears... God was transforming me from the inside out. 

He spoke hope, faith and a deep love into my heart. He taught me to love myself, just as I am. Just as He loves the sinner and hates the sin, I had to learn to love myself and just hate the poor nutrition and "lazy" lifestyle I had accepted as "normal". 😁

It's not easy. We've had our ups and downs, and the journey of being IN LOVE and maintaining a healthier lifestyle is a constant decision you have to make every morning you wake up-- but it's worth it. ❤️ 

I love my husband ever so much. He is my rock, my biggest support, my love and my BEST FRIEND. 🎉