Fun With A Mick's Up

As we begin a new year, let us be looking for the good in the bad.

Beauty among the scary

I hope you have many good memories of 2020. 

Although people will say it has been a strange year, and some may even say it’s been awful, our God is bigger than anything in 2020. 

I pray you are safe and healthy, with no worries of finances or food or shelter.

I first had the thought of writing this at the start of the pandemic lockdown.  I was enjoying the view from my home office window - the pink flowers on the tree in the Spring.

It was wonderful to watch the families enjoying the freshness of the new season, while walking and biking together down our street.  Our neighbor rode his wife's pink bike as his only mode of transportation, so he could go on a bike ride with his rambunctious little boy.  (I did notice in later weeks that they got a new bike or two.)

Real men ride their wives' pink bikes!

Before I knew it, the seasons were changing again.  We, as a family, got involved in home projects... or just spending time together in various ways.  The world had interesting things happening.  I got pulled into my work and other goings-on more than previously.  Our country was making major decisions.  Friends were needing extra prayer.  My daughter's senior year was well underway, as were her preparations for next year's move to college.

Sign of times changing

I noticed the pretty pink flowers were no longer there, and the green leaves were soon replaced with orange.  The birds were still playing among the branches, singing up a storm!  (I figured out I have become an amateur bird watcher.)

It wasn't long before we were spending more time shopping online for gifts to give out over the Christmas holiday! 

All this to say, time is going to move forward, whether or not we like our current situation, and especially even if we're not ready.  We need to remember to take time to see the beauty among the scary.  We need to keep a good attitude, looking for the good things that might be hidden under what seems to be only bad.  

One of the 5 Essentials is a healthy mindset.  

If things are going well for you, this might seem like a simple task, but it's still an important reminder. 

If you are going through really difficult times, I am so sorry!  I wish I could take them away for you.  Please share with me or someone near to you, and ask a prayer warrior to help you take these concerns to God.  Our Lord wants to spend time with you, His creation.  Do you know Him as your Father?  If so, remember you are His child.  Climb up on his lap, snuggle up in His arms, and cry your tears of sadness.  He wants to take care of you.  

If you do not know God as your Father, please consider praying to Him.  When you are ready, admit to Him that you are not perfect, and humble yourself enough to admit you have sinned.  Believe He has provided a way out of those sins and that life that is empty without Him, by offering to you His gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, and His death on the cross as punishment for your sins, and His resurrection from the grave, to give us hope for life with Him in heaven.  Then claim that gift as your own.

It seems impossible to me to have a healthy mindset without God and a relationship with Christ.  I am praying you know Him.  If you want to know more, please contact me.

Have a 2021 that outshines your 2020 in more ways than you can imagine!  

Blessings!  

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P.S.

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Today on social media were a few posts good enough to share here.  Enjoy!

"As we look back on 2020 and prepare to start a new year, we are grateful that the Lord is faithful and completely trustworthy no matter the circumstances." - @uvalleyforge 

"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. May your pages be filled with growth, love, and gratitude." - @accordochiropractic

"I still don't know what I'm wearing to the living room New Year's Eve.  I might not even go." - @CoastalVaMag

"Command those who are rich in this present world

not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,

which is so uncertain,

but to put their hope in God,

who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."

1 Timothy 6:17 NIV

Feeling Like Some Mick's Up

So, it's been YEARS!  Really, literally, it's been years since I wrote anything on this blog.

I gave in.

I gave in to the hum-drum and the lackadaisical nature of those around me.

We have not lived as a Maximized Living family for quite some time.  I've gained all the weight back, and even more.  I feel like a failure.  I'm not happy with myself.

I'm ashamed.

So, instead of giving in more, and giving up totally, I'm going back to the basics.

What is it Inigo Montoya says in The Princess Bride?  "Go back to the beginning!"

I need a proper mindset.  Even if the family is not on board, and wants to wallow in its own misery, I will trudge forward with what I know to be right.

I need proper chiropractic care.  We have continued with adjustments over these years, but with no Maximized Living doctor nearby, we settled for less than the best.  We thought we found someone special, but the doctor has dwindled in effectiveness and focus.  So, I will seek out someone closer to the Maximized Living intensity.

I need proper nutrition.  Yes, the sweet tooth is difficult for me to tame, and it's even more so when there is a baker in the house who uses regular sugar and flour most of the time.  It's time to take charge of my own eating habits, whether or not anyone else in the house wants to join me.

I need proper oxygen and exercise.  I have tried to keep up an exercise routine, but with different issues (or excuses), I am not as intense nor as focused as I once was.  It's time to change that and revisit what worked.

I need proper avoidance of toxins.  That is one thing that I have been really good at doing, but I'm sure there are some things that can improve, and so I must re-evaluate.

Is it time for you to "go back to the beginning," too?

Come on!  Join me!

"In the beginning..."

Genesis 1:1

Mick's up with the Positive

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive:

Debbie Downer, Negative Nellie, Gloomy Gus, or however they are affectionately known by you, they are there.  We’ve  all heard them, and we’ve all been them at one time or another.

Good news!  This is the month to set them free! 

These poor souls don’t need to be shackled by their misery any more. 

Why? 

It’s Positive Attitude Month!

Encouragement:  

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” (C. S. Lewis)

Do you wonder if you are considered successful?  Take some advice from author/poet Maya Angelou, as she reassures us, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

Are you feeling like you’re stuck or too stressed with all that you’re trying to accomplish, take some advice from Chris Brown of Stewardship.com (host of the podcast Chris Brown’s True Stewardship).  He encourages, “Getting distracted? Happening often? Go back to the mission. Go back to your goals. Go from there.” 

He also reminds us, “Joy is rooted in our hearts, not our circumstances.  So we get to choose joy, because it’s a product of who we are, not where we are.”

As we grow, we have the opportunity to gain wisdom, and then with that wisdom, improve our character.  Well-known poet, Robert Frost, puts it beautifully, when he says, “Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.”

Challenge:  One Day with No Complaints  

Yowzers.  Have you ever tried that?  It’s not easy.  The Stewardship Team at Stewardship.com authors the blog article by the same name as the aforementioned challenge.  They encourage us with the thought, “Control what you can, even if the only thing you manage to change is your attitude.”  Ask yourself how you really feel.  Then mean what you say.

Remember, the most difficult battle you will face today is with yourself.  So, give yourself a break.

Your attitude adjustment just might be the only thing that helps you survive in this world of stress.  When you’re surrounded by others who haven’t gotten the message yet about Positive Attitude Month, keep smiling.  ;)  We can’t make people change.  As Andrew Carnegie says, “You cannot push anyone up the ladder, unless he is willing to climb.”

Parting Thoughts:  

Most importantly, remember who you are!  Better yet, remember whose you are.  You are a child of God!

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” 

Philippians 4:8

Mick's Emotions

It's been a while, since I've written about mindset.  The following topic has been a concern of mine for quite some time... since the start of this blog, in fact.  Something on the radio this week reignited the spark for it, and in light of recent events, it's fitting.

We all know our kidderz watch us closely.  It doesn't matter what we say, as much as much as what we do.  Sometimes we don't see how much those wee ones copy us.  It might take a comment from an unrelated observer, before we step back and observe that tyke ourselves.  Then we truly discover the consequences of our behaviors, as we watch our little shadow play out movements, speak words, and even react exactly as we know we would... if we can admit it.

Unfortunately, I'm not perfect... and I'm seeing it mirrored in my kidderz.  Ugh.

We have the ability to form in our children what reactions they have in stressful - even terrifying - situations: For instance, terrorist acts.

What I heard on the radio this week was a quote from a doctor, in regard to how best to talk to our children about this type of event:  Teach them that they should be vigilant and alert, but not timid.

That is a great way to put it.

The initial event that got this topic going a couple of years ago was Hurricane Irene.

All around us, people were hyped up.  The media got everyone going.

I'm not saying we should not prepare.  Definitely, we need to be informed and have a plan of action.  However, I could see it getting so bad that children were terrified.

I love the line from A Bug's Life, when Mr. Soil says: "Do not panic, do not panic!  We are trained professionals. Now, stay calm."  

That is kind of the gist of the message from the doctor on the radio.  No, we parents are not trained professionals (though we wish we were trained as professional parents sometimes), but we are in charge of our family's well-being, and we are our children's teachers.


Moments like these are great learning opportunities.

During the hurricane:

Were hubby and I uncertain of the right decision of whether to stay or evacuate?  Yes.

Was I a bit scared?  Yes.

Did we take precautions?  Most definitely.

Was a backup plan in place?  Uh-huh!!!  You'd better believe it!

However, instead of falling into the defeatist attitude of "we're doomed," and running around in a panic, not thinking clearly, we chose to follow through with my birthday wish for that week:  Have some family photo booth fun!

We had to change it up a bit, since it wasn't a good idea to be outside in the crazy weather, which meant going to the mall's photo booth wouldn't be an option.  So, we gathered all our hurricane emergency supplies, huddled together in our tiny downstairs bathroom, as our "fallout shelter," and enjoyed a photo booth experience.

Yes, the picture you see here is the actual result of our silliness.  The kids loved it... and so did the parents.  We did not forget what was happening all around us, and we did keep up-to-date on the storm, etc., but we also passed the time much more pleasantly than we could have.

Granted, there were some very serious conditions, in which people were terribly affected.  Those are times of crisis, when plan becomes action.  Wisdom is necessary.

Until it gets to that point, though, we can remain lighthearted.

In whatever situation, we can have hope and joy.

Can we teach that to our kidderz?  Yes, we can!

Do you choose to go into panic mode, get your kidderz all riled up, and teach them that the way to handle a crisis is through confusion, chaos, and drama?

OR...

Do you choose to remain calm, formulate a plan, and teach your kidderz to be vigilant and alert, rather than timid?

"Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold."

2 Corinthians 3:12 (NIV)

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Mick’s up with Optimism

”Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day!”

Mark Twain

I saw this posted on Facebook last week:
“When you feel optimistic your metabolic rate can rise & you can lose weight eating the same amount.  When you feel pessimistic your metabolic rate can fall & you can gain weight eating the same amount of food.  If you're not fulfilled & you feel stressed you can sometimes eat to calm yourself & sedate your inner frustration.  Setting realistic expectations on self & others helps reduce stress & moderates eating patterns.” 



That’s great food for thought for all of us.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14 (NIV)

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Do You Have a Mick’s up with Sugar Addiction

When our family began living our new lifestyle of health and wellness one year ago, I knew I’d be the one with the most difficulty.  That surprised my husband, who we always teased as being the big sugar fiend.  However, I knew cutting out sugar all together would not be easy for me.

Why did I think it would be so difficult for me?  Being the person in charge of grocery shopping and kitchen organization, I can easily hide things from the rest of the family.  They don’t have to know when I’m eating something sugary.  I know what’s best, and I love them and want the best for them, so I guide them in doing the right thing… but if my craving gets too bad, I can sneak a treat.

The crazy thing is: it’s not such a treat. 

Have you ever noticed that?  You really, really want that sugar, and so you convince yourself you can have it and it’ll be awesome… but after the fact, you wish you hadn’t done it, and you wonder why you thought you couldn’t live without it.

Through posts from glutenologist Dr. Osborne, I ran across some links today that I hope will be very helpful to those of you who struggle with sugar addiction.  You aren’t sure?  Take a test for Self Diagnosis Quiz - Sugar Addiction?!!

If you have decided it’s time to do something about it, CONGRATULATIONS!  Actually taking a step toward breaking that addiction puts you in a rare category.

“One of the most important things about breaking a sugar addiction is learning how to think differently about sugar and how you resist temptation in your life.  Because if you get off sugar but don’t know how to stay off it, that is something that can be very frustrating.” (Samantha Taylor - Sugar Addiction Specialist)

So, how did we do it?  How did we cut our sugar addictions?  We had to be extreme.

All sugar and grains were eliminated from the house… and no longer purchased.  We no longer consumed sugar of any kind.  I was very strict about this for the first 30 days, because we wanted to set a solid foundation for our new lifestyle.  I personally felt it would be foolish for us to ease into it, because we would be wasting money on some things that go totally against our goal, while we also spent lots of money on other things that took us in the direction of our goal.  I would not allow that contradiction in the house… nor in the budget.  (If you follow Dave Ramsey’s advice to pay for groceries with cash and the guidelines of a budget, you find yourself less likely to spend it on indulgences, thus helping in dropping that sugar habit.)  Another reason I had us go “whole hog” into the new lifestyle of no sugar is that I know if I don’t make myself do it like that, I’ll never do it.  If the temptation is nearby, I don’t have the willpower to say, “No!”

After a while, of course, the family started wondering if they’d ever taste anything sweet again.  That’s when I started getting wise to the healthier sweeteners and what recipes are out there to assist in healthy eating.  Plus, we have learned to plan ahead, so we can splurge on sugar once in a while.  We have to remember to use some constraints, or else we’re tempted to go overboard.

It is a matter of the mind.  Do what it takes to make yourself stop eating sugar, even if it’s checking into Sugar Addiction Solution.  Getting off sugar is worth it in the long run.  I can’t even express to you how much it is worth it!

Don’t let yourself believe you’re too weak to succeed.  You can do it!

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

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What’s a Good Read, Mick’s?

Driving in the car and running errands this morning was refreshing, as I listened to some great stuff on the radio.  It was a wonderful way to start the week.  Getting a good mindset on a Monday morning can mean nothing but a positive outlook for the rest of the week.

Setting goals, like we did in the meeting I attended this afternoon, can get the week off to an excellent start.  What do you plan to accomplish this week?  How about this month?  Take some time now to block out segments in your calendar to adequately get you on your way to success.

I have recently set for myself a goal of reading one nonfiction book every month - preferably on management, leadership, or lecturing - especially since a business acquaintance highly suggested it.  I plan to stick to it.  Being a mom, wife, and business lady, I run into challenges with the scheduled reading time.  I know you know how it is.  You probably have more challenges than I have.  I can almost guarantee it.  However, we owe it to ourselves, and those we are taking care of, to do our best to reach these self-improvement goals.  I’m going to do it!

"Nourish the mind like you would your body. The mind cannot survive on junk food." Jim Rohn

I’m going to start making a list of books and blocks of time.  I’ve already considered Dave Ramsey’s suggested reading list, as well as other good reads I hear about and write down.

A book mentioned on the radio this morning is “Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild.” I would not normally pick a book like this myself, if I just read the cover and brief introduction, but the reviews are good.  I might have to look into it.

Later on the radio, I was reminded of another book that has been suggested to me several times:  “Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, Deluxe Edition.”  I guess it’ll have to get put on my list, too, especially after I enjoyed reading a similar book this summer:  “The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life beyond This World.”

You might have some other goals in mind.  Write them down.  Visualize them.  Imagine the feeling of accomplishing the goals.  Use the formula I heard about today that is from an inexpensive e-book titled, “The God Formula.” 

Whatever you do, be sure to allow time in your schedule for you!

Mmmmmm… A nice cool evening is a great time to curl up with a good book!  What do you think?

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;

meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful.” 

Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

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