I absolutely love this quote by Maya Angelou, but I’d like to add one more thing from my experience today: 4) Being in a fender bender.
The lady who backed into me was so apologetic and kept saying, “Thank you so much for not yelling at me!”
Wait a second. …..WHAT??!
You’re very welcome for not yelling at you, but I wasn’t even angry or upset! Why would I be? That’s why it’s called an ACCIDENT. …..and we’ve ALL been on the other end of the coin and would WE have liked being yelled at? No!
So I pose this question to you: When something unexpected happens that you didn’t have control over, what is your first initial gut reaction?
Anger? Frustration? Indignation? Fury?
Because what is lying under the surface says A LOT about the status of your soul.
Is it at rest, not to be easily rattled, or is it bubbling with dissatisfaction, ready to unleash against anything or anyone at the next opportunity?
9 times out of 10, were you really that angry at that person about that situation? Or are you willing to look deeper to see if your feelings are misplaced about some heart issues that have been lying dormant, not being tended to. #thetruthcanhurt
It’s amazing the peace we can have, amidst almost ANY situation, if we deal with the deeper issues our past, our brokenness, our hurts and our pain. Putting them into the light, bringing them up to the surface to be properly dealt with, seen and released.
Asking for God’s help to heal the cracks and mend the tears.
Finally letting our soul be free.
Seeing day-to-day situations as they SHOULD be, not blown out of proportion and misdirected. Turn the mirror on yourself and be brave enough to begin the healing. ♡
I’m coming down from a beautiful heart-awakening women’s retreat this past weekend and letting the new truths and self-discovery settle in and NOT be forgotten.
It’s so easy to have “moments” of insight, but to quickly get back into the daily routine and let them get pushed aside, never fully taking hold for the long-term.
But one of the biggest shifts I had was the realization of how unmistakably interconnected our health and our faith are. God is active in both. Yet we sometimes think we’re in this “health thing” on our own. That God is more of a spectator when it comes to that, since it’s not necessarily directly “spiritual” in nature. But that’s false.
Let me encourage you today:
- YOU are worth the work and effort to discover your true self.
- YOU are worthy of living the best life has to offer.
- YOU are designed with God’s imprint on your heart and soul that is UNIQUE to you. Ask Him to show you how to bring it to life so the desires of your heart are not locked away or left unfulfilled.
- Take seriously the notion that we only have ONE life on this earth, and it truly can be lived with passion, fulfillment, love and expectation of miracles!
- God’s love for you will not run dry. He will never stop pursuing you to show you how much He desires to be in relationship with you and to fill the desires of your heart. After all, HE put them there! ♡
- God can be trusted. He will not fail you. God.is.love.
>> Final Thought: I encourage you today to look at your health journey and goals through a new set of eyes–through God’s eyes. That you are HIS creation. That your pursuits to better your health and improve the body He’s given you are Noble and Worthy causes.
And that God is not dis-connected to your pursuits, He’s cheering you on!
Wanting you to reach your finish line because He knows that will allow you to further your calling and be His hands and feet in the world even more!
Your sister in Christ,
~Dr. Melody
P.S. I’ve been pondering for a while about how to best bring together the HEART and HEALTH transformations that so many of us are seeking. To live a life of PURPOSE, and to feel amazing in our own skin.
To do the inner AND outer work to produce satisfaction, transformation and fulfillment on a SOUL level.
The details are forming….becoming more clear. Keep an eye out. God is showing me an awesome path to help us do just this.
P.P.S. Reply to this email or send me a PM on Facebook if you want to be one of the first to know when it’s ready to be revealed. The interest list is forming. Get ready to unleash the Beautiful You that’s already on the inside. 😉
I found myself turning to food to comfort me in my time of anxiety and worry. But I knew that wasn’t the answer.
Have you ever been there? I’ve been finding myself there a few times lately, but I’m so glad I’m starting to become more aware of it so I can recognize it and divert to a different (non-food) method of dealing with it.
And I must admit. I’m not always 100% successful. But I’m getting there. And awareness and naming the emotions underlying those feelings is key.
Here’s a few tips next time you find yourself in the “comfort food” struggle, when you know you’re not actually hungry, it’s something deeper.
- Identify the triggering situation or circumstance at the root of the cause.
- Name the exact feelings underlying that desire to eat, when you know you’re not hungry, or you know food is not the solution.
- Journal your heart out. In times of great internal debate and unrest, one of the best things you can do is journal and pray. But journaling can be a form of prayer if you choose to write out what you’re feeling in a letter to God.
- List alternative non-food ways you can deal with the situation and why you’re having those feelings in the first place. (hint: exercise is a GREAT option.)
- Spend time in prayer giving those burdens, concerns, worries, uneasiness and anxieties (and anything else you need to) over to God. Share with him why you’re concerned and have been holding onto these feelings, and give them to God and ask for his help to solve the problem and/or to fill you wiht his peace that passes all understanding so you may liberate your mind from the things that are weighing you down.
- And lastly, write an action plan for how you will deal with the same scenario if/when it happens again and what non-food actions you will take to begin creating new default responses that don’t add to your waistline and guilt, disappointment or shame, and instead are healthier ways to deal with the stresses in life.
>>Final Thought: We know that food is not the answer when we’re eating to fill a different void that we don’t want to acknowledge. But the freedom from this detrimental pattern is in the acknowledgement. Next time you’re tempted to soothe your soul with sweets or salty treats when you KNOW you’re not hungry, work your way through these 6 steps and ultimately turn your situation over to God. He is waiting for you to lay it at his feet and give you relief.
Your sister in Christ,
~Dr. Melody
P.S. I’ve found it supremely therapeutic and helpful when I’m working on my own health and weight goals to surround myself with other girlfriends doing the same, who can relate and not place blame or shame when they hear of my not-so-perfect choices sometimes. Being able to be candid, supportive, honest and vulnerable is so healing and therapeutic to keep the momentum and drive toward your goals alive.
Starting Aug. 1st is the next 30 day interval of my #vip30 challenge in my private VIP ladies group. Together we’re changing our lives, habits and dress sizes one day at a time. If you know you need to be with a supportive and driven environment to spur you on to your own weight loss goals, this is just the place to be. Learn more here and join us before Aug. 1st!
