The Power of Habits

Habits can make you or take you in directions you don't want to go. Instead of focusing on all the bad habits you've developed and want to change, pick one, just one. This way you won't get overwhelmed and quit before you get started. Think about it. What is it that's most important for you to change. What will make the biggest difference for your life? What's been preventing you from making this change?





Procrastination is my worst bad habit. I think if I didn't procrastinate I'd have a real headstart on those other habits I need to work on. But before you think there's no hope for me or you, don't despair. We all have good habits too.




What is something that you are proud to have made a good habit in your life? I know for me that reading my Bible and going to church are healthy habits that feed my spirit and bring peace to my hectic life.

What is a habit you long to change? I desperately want to show up at my computer screen each day and type my 3-4 pages I need to get my next novel finished, but it's really proved difficult. So I am going to work on that this next month. I discovered a cool website at www.habitforge.com I encourage you to check it out. It's easy to sign up for and you can share your progress or keep it private.



Let's see if we all can't make some headway on these habits we want to develop. Feel free to drop in anytime and share your experiences.
Smiles and Blessings,
Jill

Refuse To Live In Fear

I’ve wrestled with different types of fear my entire life. My parents separated when I was six. I had nightmares until I was in college related to the fear that many kids believe, and that’s that they are somehow responsible for the break up of their parents. Not true, yet many kids feel or have felt this way.

I was very sick and hospitalized when I was in second grade. In 1963 children were on wards and in beds next to each other, (at least it was my experience). The children on either side of me died. I became afraid of death. My brother died when he was 27 years old and I was 29. I became even more afraid of death.

I experienced a lot of other reasons to fear in my lifetime: car accidents, my own children’s illnesses, the death of friends, the death of other family members. The list goes on and on. I’m 54 now and I’m not afraid most of the time. Do I occasionally let my fears slip in? Yes. I’m not able to banish my fears completely, but I finally figured out that no matter how hard I try, in my human strength, I cannot keep bad things at bay. I don’t have control. God does. All I can do is the best I can do, trust God for the rest, and remember the mustard seed.

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20 NIV

So have faith, not fear. Peace, not fear. Trust, not fear. Hope, not fear.

In my counseling Bible, The Bible for Hope, NKJV, the introduction to Numbers talks about fear. The first paragraph states, “Fear can immobilize. Fearful people often do not think straight and run off in the wrong direction to escape the source of their fear. The world can be quite scary, and at times, Christians will become afraid. On those occasions, they can either run away from God, thinking that he cannot handle their fears, or they can run to God for protection.”
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (NKJV). 2 Timothy 1:7




Question: What are you afraid of? What are you going to do about it?

WRITE AND LOSE WEIGHT?

It’s that time of year again. Heading into the New Year of 2010. Typically, this means resolutions that will be broken before the month is over. Weight loss and exercise are big on that list among women and probably a lot of guys too. What’s your plan this year?

I’m a one step at a time kind of woman and when I set goals I really want to reach them. In the past when I’ve said I’m going to lose ten pounds or write a book or get rid of clutter I haven’t hung in there very long with my well intentioned resolutions. We all know about good intentions and where they can lead.

I like setting goals instead of making resolutions. What's the differnce you ask? I think from the definitions below you'll see what I'm getting at. To me the idea of making a resolution is that you decide you are going to do something, whereas a goal is a shorter trip in my mind (progress in increments).

resolution
a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something

goal
the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end
Dictionary.com


When I was doing my Christmas shopping a couple weeks ago I saw this book
and bought it for myself. I knew I liked Julia Cameron and her work. I knew I planned on getting back to the gym after a long bout of pneumonia and I knew other plans hadn't worked well for me.

So can this:



really lead to less pounds?


I've just read the prologue to Cameron's book and I've decided to give it a whirl.
I want to get back to the gym and my hubby bought me a special 12 week program I wanted on getting healthy. I want to lose some weight and get my cholesterol level down a bit. And I want to write another book. I'm aiming at four pages a day. But one note of caution here everyone. I have not read this book yet and as a licensed social worker I encourage you to remember this book is written by a very creative woman, but not a nutritionist or therapist. If you have a serious eating disorder please consult a specialist.

So what's your plan? Goal? or resolution? Care to share?


Smiles and Blessings,
Jill

WHAT CAN WRITERS LEARN FROM TURTLES?

A LOT!

I fell in love with sea turtles when I went to the Charleston, S.C. Aquarium several years ago. I just love those great big creatures. Not too long after that I started thinking about how turtles could help me as a writer.


I don't know a lot about turtles but I do know that some are endangered.

The more I've learned about turtles the more infatuated I am.

Galápagos tortoise




Turtles have:

1. A hard shell-for protection. That hard shell is something all writers must develop to protect ourselves from rejection. Let’s face it; I don’t think too many of us look forward to getting rejections from potential publishers. We have to find ways of coping with rejection so we can move on and continue to write what is important, entertaining, encouraging, and meaningful.

2. A slow and steady gait. You know the old story of the tortoise and the hare. Who won that race? The tortoise!

3. Pull that head inside. Turtles can pull their heads in (but not the Green Sea Turtle) and protect themselves that way as well. I also think that’s a turtle’s way of sleeping and thinking.

4. The belly of some turtle's is soft. That happens to us as writers too if we don’t get our exercise. Some Green Turtles can weigh up to 700 pounds! I bet some types of turtle or tortoise weigh even more.


Do you have any ideas you can add to this list? Do you know a lot about turtles? I have a feeling I'll be posting more about these incredible creatures in the future.

Mental Health America: The Story of Our Symbol - The Mental Health Bell

Mental Health America: The Story of Our Symbol - The Mental Health Bell

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The story of the Mental Health Bell is one well worth reading. It's also a reminder. A reminder that those of us who are fortunate not to suffer with severe mental health problems should be the first to help those with illnessess that can suck the life out of a person. Mental health allows us to enjoy life. Mental illness and the stigma of mental illness continue to keep some people locked away in a dark place.

I challenge you to make an effort to reach out and do something special for someone who suffers from these devastating illnesses (depression, bipolar, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc.)in your church, your neighborhood, or your state. Make a difference this December as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Be a light.

Feel free to leave your ideas on what we can all do to make a difference. I think I'll give the gift of music and take that special person out to eat.

THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS

I count my blessings in your provision
and I praise your holy name.
I’m blessed by sun and moon,
friends, and family and a husband who cares
to share his life with me.

I love my books and pens and your indulgence
while I create my stories.
I hear your laughter when I write my comedy,
and your pleasure when I read my words to you.
I feel your encouragement and your praise for a job well done.

I see the changes over the years in a daughter I thought lost,
yet you’ve made her strong enough to withstand the wind.
You’ve rescued her and set her on her feet,
a second chance to play the game of life.

You’ve made my other daughter joyful
with a passion to seek your face.
She strives every day to please you and
shares her heart with those in need.

O God you are my soul keeper, my protector
in the storm.
You forgive and forget and lead me by the hand,
to talk quietly of dreams to come.