Goal Update: Week 3

I'm a couple of days late but I lost 3 pounds!  That's not bad considering all of the candy my mom made last week.  I have been writing steady, not every day but close to it.   I can't lie, still slacking in exercise and studying but trying to improve. I want to give a HUGE thank you everyone from the "like" of my page to your words of encouragement.  I am blessed to have you and you are the fuel that keeps me from giving up!

~ Chelle
    12/18/13

Keep Going

I watched the leaves on a tree outside of my office turn from green to shades of bright orange and red.  When the light hit it just right the tree appeared to be on fire.  The bright shades eventually dulled to yellows and browns.  The winds of the changing seasons began to pick up and each day my tree became a little more bare.  Now it stands tall, completely exposed. 

There is a tree beside of this bare lady that seems to be unhindered by the weather.  Her leaves are lush green, full and flourishing. Quite a contrast to the bare branches beside of it that have given way to winter.  As I was watching the two trees, a flock of birds started to fly over.  Which tree would they choose to rest for a spell?  They covered the bare branches, not a one landed on the tree covered with the leaves.  They only stayed for a minute before flying on.  The exposed branches offered them a better vantage point to continue along their journey.  It gave them a place to rest and warm in the sun.

Life reminds me of those trees.  Had it been a different season, the flock may have chosen the shade that the full tree had to offer.  That bare tree was more useful to the birds in this season.  We may be in a dry season and can not understand where we are going, but God could be using it to inspire someone else.  Everything in life happens for a reason and we are all full of usefulness.  We may not always know that reason or our purpose is, but I can promise you God does.  You may never know the impact you are having on someone else, keep going when you think you can't.  There may be eyes watching you and your journey will keep them going too.

~ Chelle
   12/16/13

Lies, Lies, Lies

My momma raised me to be an honest gal, maybe that is why I continue to be amazed at the dishonesty I see everywhere.  Some people seem to have the ability to lie instilled in them, as if it is a gift given from the devil at birth.  When these lies are told in front of little eyes it is an ability they pick up and so the cycle continues.  When I was a child I got my bottom busted if I was caught telling a lie.  It wasn't an art to be handed down to each generation, it was an offense punishable by swift action of a switch.  It wasn't child abuse, it was teaching me what was acceptable and what was not.  What should be considered child abuse is teaching multiple children to be so dishonest.  I know, I'm on a rant tonight.  I'm just sick to my stomach as a watch a mother of 5 tell so many lies.  She lies to her children, her family, to every single person in her life, including herself.  So many lies have been told that the truth can no longer be found.  It's just sad.  Watching Cops, you see the police take drugs out of a person's pocket and hear, "That's not mine, I didn't even know it was there."  Really?!  Politicians lie publicly and actually make a career of it.  Companies lie to their employees, TV ads lie to the general public, the news "twist" the truth to meet their station's agenda.  Lies, lies, lies.  It's time we take a stand and stop letting it be the norm to lie.  Vote the Politicians out of office, boycott products, turn the channel.  If there are no consequences the lies will continue and if they are rewarded they will be taught to future generations. Is the truth too much to ask for?  I don't think so, but it has to start at home and work it's way outward.  We may not be able to control the lies outside of our homes but we can refuse to make them wanted house guest inside of them.  Just a thought.

~ Chelle
    12/14/13

The Truth About People Is...

Time always reveals who is true and who is real
A small circle will love you, a much larger one will pretend to care
A handful will offer support when times are stormy, the rest will hide until the sunshine returns
A select few will be there to lift you up, a larger population is anticipating your fall
Some will talk directly to you, while others whisper behind your back
Who is real seems to out number who's not as the years pass by
We come to realize who are our friends and who the enemy is that hides within our camp
Time teaches us to value who is true and who is real

~ Chelle
    12/13/13

Just a Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this day and this opportunity to come before Your throne.  My timeline is littered with sadness, sickness, and financially destitute situations.  Father God, so many are in need of a direct touch from You.  I pray for Your peace over them in the midst of trouble.  Send one of Your children into their path to help guide them back into light.  Cause a smile to touch their soul and lighten their heart.  Comfort the sick and give strength to the family and friends caring for them.  Wrap Your arms around them and cause them to feel Your presence in the most profound way.  Lift those in destitute situations up out of the pit of despair. Guide their every spending and touch their finances to meet their every need.  Bless those reading and praying in agreement to this prayer.  Thank You for being a God who is faithful and caring, who listens to our needs. Thank You Jesus for holding us through the sadness, healing us in the sickness, and providing for us when there seems to be no other way.  In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen.

~ Chelle
    12/12/13

The Fog of Depression

Depression is like a fog settling over your life.  You feel the shift in the air, you see it bearing down, you can even hear the warning signs coming, yet you just can't seem to escape it.  That haze has centered over me the last couple of days. I can't really explain where it came from and I don't think any medication could have held it off.  It's almost as if it alters your very thinking.  You start to see things in exaggeration.  When you dwell on the negative it starts to spread and like a fog and it will cover every nook and cranny of your life. It begins to filter out the positive, forcing it to become almost hazy as it tries to smoother the things out that keep you going.   Millions of people suffer from this every day, most are ashamed to admit it has seeped into their life.  Many are embarrassed by the medications they take to control it, they don't want society to think they are crazy or abnormal.  I become skilled at hiding it and I have been on medication for years because of it. I figured as long as I am making my life an open book I might as well put it all out there and pray my story encourages someone else. 

The Holidays can be a very difficult time and depression really hits so many throughout this season.  Getting this fog to lift from someone's life isn't easy.  I recently found that haze clouding my thoughts, influencing my decisions. Today my fog lifted and reality started to peak through.  A friend was being swallowed by that same fog and was ready to give up her life into it.  Reality check.  Life is fragile.  This precious person couldn't see her own worth.  The devil is a liar. We ALL have value.  God made each of us after his own image and he made us each unique and gifted us with special abilities. I'm thankful God could look through the fog, past "me", into "me" and still use "me" for Him.  Yes, the fog cleared today.  That's not to say it will not come back.  Just as the weather changes it is bound to happen but I am thankful to know God has power over the fog and His light will pull me (and my friend) through it.  God Bless!

~ Chelle
    12/10/13

Weekly Goal Update

Where has the first week gone?  It flew by. I kind of dreaded this update because I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to and it seems the weight is going to come off so slow (too slow).  I had to remind myself, part of doing this so openly is to show it can be done.  Not that is easy, but that it is possible.  Not that I won't slip, but that I will NOT quit.  Amazingly I lost 1 pound last week.  I stayed within my calories every day but one. I exercised 3 days, so I need to pick it up by 1-2 days this week. I am still finding it hard to study consistently but I am improving.  I have written 8 out of 9 days this month.   They may not be long or award winning pieces, but it has definitely been a positive start.  I have a long ways to go, but I am well on my way to the new me (that is actually the old me).  Thank you all for your support and a special thanks to my coach, Nina.  The support you guys have given me has motivated me to keep going when I think I can't.  You guys are the best and I will keep pressing!

~ Chelle
    12/9/13