Accept and Respect Your Current Body

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

I received this quote in my email today and I wanted to pass it on.
You must unconditionally and completely accept and respect your current body--right now--no matter how many pounds you wish to lose. If you don't fully accept and respect your current body, you will never treat it as the most precious gift that has every been given to you. If you don't respect your body and treat it as a precious gift, then you will never find the willpower and motivation to exercise each day, stick to healthy food portions, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep. Jorge Cruise - 8 Minutes in the Morning for Real Shapes Real Sizes
I have spent the past year losing weight, but for several years before, I really worked on learning to love, accept and respect my body as it was. My entire life I have never had the energy, health or looks that I would have chosen, but before I started Fat Loss 4 Idiots, I had really learned to accept myself as I was. Not the type of acceptance that gives you permission to stay the same, but the acceptance and positive attitude of my current situation, so that I could move forward and make appropriate changes. This weight loss program has helped me not only lose weight, but have more energy, it has stengthened my immune system and has improved my overall health and wellness. Along with all of that, I find myself being happier and more spiritually focused because I feel good.

Discouragement - NEVER GIVE UP!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wow, last night I was so discouraged. I was working on my website and everything kept going wrong. All this computer stuff is enough to turn me into a grey haired old woman! Hey, I'am a grey haired woman, but I try not to be to old. But I sure feel old when everything goes wrong. Once again I was ready to throw my hands up and quit.

Well, I went to bed to pray, read my scriptures, and see if I could find some comfort, strength, a lift, and some courage. After I read the scriptures, I picked up the Ensign that was sitting on my night stand and started to read an article about the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was about the night that a mob broke into Joseph's home, dragged him out into the street, beat him and covered him with tar and feather's. After the mob left him in the street, he had to pull tar from his face so he could breath. He stumbled home and for the rest of the night he and his wife Emma pealed tar from his broken body.

The next morning, instead of staying in bed to heal, he was out on the street preaching the gospel to the people. There were even members of the mob there listening to him. How many excuses could he have come up with that day to not even go outside. But he found strength in the Lord to get up and do his work.

I found that strength last night also. I sat and wept because of the Love that I felt from my Heavenly Father. I know I can keep learning all this 'computer stuff '. I'm still kind of scared of it, I know I will throw up my hands again at another time in the future and want to say "I QUIT"! Then I will do what I did last night and seek for divine help and strength to go on.

34TH ANNIVERSARY

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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Today is our 34th anniversary and we almost forgot about it. That has never happened before! Last year on this day we were celebrating on the beaches in Hawaii. This year we talked about our anniversary several times over the past couple of weeks, but because of the economy we chose to NOT buy gifts for each other, but we would just go out to dinner. For me, it is enough that we are still together. George's health has been on the blink for the past 24 years from severe chest pains to chronic neck pain. He has had 34 surgeries (about 30 of them during our married life) and there were many times that I was afraid that I would be a young widow and would have to raise our children alone. But THANKS to our Heavenly Father, who chose to keep him here on earth, we have raised our children TOGETHER.
I am so grateful for my sweet husband. Our life together has not been an easy one. We have both been very very stubborn, stiff necked, and bull headed. We have made life so much harder than it needed to be, but we chose to stick it out together. Now that all of our children are raised and moved from home, we are finding more time for each other, showing more patience and love, and I am so
very very grateful that we have had this time to literally FALL IN LOVE AGAIN.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2009

Thursday, January 1, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2009. I began the new year as I usually do by staying away from the crowds and going to bed early. In return I woke up early this morning, with NO hangover, and I am ready to get the NEW YEAR off to a good start. I have a huge list of things to accomplish today, but mostly I am focusing on ALL the many blessings I have. I won't take the time to list them all here, but I spent a long time last night just thinking of what I have and THANKING my Father in Heaven.
I know that our country is having a difficult time right now, but I am kind of excited that it is happening. I pray that it will get the great people of our nation (which means "US") to cut back on all of our material 'wants' and things that we think we 'need' and get back to the basics.
I have been reflecting on the Christmas gifts that my 4 daughters-in-law gave me. Maybe my sons had some input on them too, but they were gifts of love and they 'KNEW' what I like and what I value. Larkyn gave me a gift card to Deseret Book, I have had quite a long list of books and music that I would love to have to help me stay more spiritually focused. Tawnie gave me the book "Reflections of Christ" and I have already ready it a couple of times. I keep it on my nightstand next to my bed, and it is a constant reminder of where my thoughts need to be. Aspen knows that I am 'storage' nut and she gave me a box of garden seeds that can be kept in storage. As I was reviewing my storage needs the past month or so, I had decided that garden seeds were to be my next preparation. How did she know? Mindy gave me a basked full of canned food along with a few goodies. Every gift so practical, yet so full of love.
Again, we all need to continue to get back to basics, back to love and appreciation and knowing that nothing in this world can beat having a great family.

CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 26, 2008
What a wonderful Christmas this has been. Sunday the 21st we had a wonderful family dinner at Jeremy's house. Everyone contributed to the meal which made it really special. After we stuffed ourselves, we read the Christmas story from Luke Chapter 2. Everyone takes turns reading a verse or 2. The grandkids were excited to get their gifts from the aunts and uncles and grandparents, so it wasn't as reverent as it could have been, but the spirit was still there as we took the time to remember the Savior, his birth, life, and the great lessons that he has to teach us if we will just take the time to review and remember.
All the gifts we shared with one another were wonderful, but the feeling of family and togetherness was the best. George kept saying all the way home, "Isn't our family wonderful." "This evening was so great with our family." "Isn't it wonderful that the kids love being together." and he continued to make similar comments all week.
Yesturday, Christmas day, was the continuation of this great week with family and remembering our Savior. I pray that all the love we have for one another will continue throughout each and every day of this coming year.
There is NOTHING in this world that can take the place of FAMILY. I love you all and hope and pray that we will all keep pulling together and find strength in one another during these troubled times. I LOVE YOU ALL. MOM

AVOIDING THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL

Wednesday, December 3, 2008
When I first started my website - liteandjoy.com, George and I decided that we would NOT do any computer work on the Sabbath day. Which meant that I would NOT write any posts for my products. Well, today I was thinking about different ways of improving my website and my business blog, liteandjoyblog.com. I thought that I could write the post on Saturday and program my computer to post it automatically on Sunday. That way I wouldn't be working on Sunday but the post would appear on its own. Brilliant huh! For those who may not be aware, it's the daily posts on the blog that catch the attention of the search engines so they can put your website and products higher up on the lists on Google, Yahoo, MSN, AOL, Ask.com, etc. The higher you rank on their lists, the more traffic you receive on your site, and eventually you get more business.
Well, I am grateful for the promptings of the Spirit, because the thought immediately came to me that that would give the appearance, to the entire world, that I was working on Sunday. It was an interesting thought. Anyone, anywhere in the world can pull up my site and look at the date on it and believe that I have no regard for the Sabbath day as far as business and selling to get rich on the almighty dollar.
I very quickly decided that it isn't important to get a post out on the Sabbath day. The Sabbath day is the Lord's day, a day to read, study, serve him by serving others, and of course, resting from the constant grind of everyday living. I have heard many many times in my life that it is the little things that make the biggest difference. So this is one of those little things that I choose to do to honor my Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, who sacrificed ALL to give me the opportunity to choose the right, and hopefully come back to live with Him again.

THANKSGIVING DINNER - ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Last Sunday we had an early Thanksgiving dinner with our family. We had it early because some of my kids go out of town for the holiday. I am so Thankful that my Daughter-in-law was the one to suggest that we do it early. After dinner she asked that everyone take a minute and say what they were Thankful for. One thing that came up over and over again was "FAMILY". What a wonderful 'payday' for a MOM, to hear her children who fought and quarreled for many years, now say that FAMILY is the most important thing to them. It was a glorious evening.

I have a few programs that send me a "Daily Thought" on my email and this one came today and I wanted to pass it along.

I think everybody goes through times when they say, "Things aren't working right," Or "Things are going bad." Once, when there were some things going on in my family, I found a rock, and I just sat holding it. I took this rock, I stuck it in my pocket, and I said, "Every time I touch this rock I'm going to think of something that I'm grateful for." So every morning when I get up in the morning, I pick it up off the dresser, I put it in my pocket, and I go through the things that I'm grateful for. At night, what do I do? I empty my pocket, and there it is again.
I've had some amazing experiences with this idea. A guy from South Africa saw me drop it. He asked, "What is that?" I explained it to him, and he started calling it a gratitude rock. Two weeks later I got an email from him, in South Africa. And he said, "My son is dying from a rare disease. It's a type of hepatitis. Would you send me three gratitude rocks?" They were just ordinary rocks I found of the street, so I said, "Sure." I had to make sure that the rocks were very special, so I went out to the stream, picked out the right rocks, and sent them off to him.
Four or five months later, I get an email from him. He said: "My son's better; he's doing terrific." And he said, "But you need to know something. We've sold over a thousand rocks at ten dollars apiece as gratitude rocks, and we've raised all the money for charity. Thank you very much."
So it's very important to have an "attitude of gratitude." Lee Brower - The Secret, Rhonda Byrne

We should all think of some little thing that we can do to remind ourselves each day to remember what we have to be thankful for.

PATIENCE

Saturday, November 15, 2008
As I was reading a few days ago, I came across a scripture in Luke 21:19 that said 'In your patience possess ye your souls" I marked it but then forgot about it. Since then I have had several things happen that has really tried my patience. George (my husband) is on very heavy medication because of chronic pain, anxiety, inability to sleep, muscle spasms etc. He is like a walking Zombie. His speech is slow and he can hardly keep his balance standing in the middle of the room. He fell the other night at 2:30 a.m. which scared the daylights out of me. I jumped out of bed when I heard the glass doors of the shower being knocked off their tracks. Luckily they didn't fall and shatter all over him. He was scratched and bruised but not seriously injured. It took me 2 1/2 hours to settle down and get back to sleep. Needless to say I was a bit over tired for the next 2 days.
Last night I hurt his feelings when he wanted to read something to me in the newspaper. He is extremely slow in speaking and I have 'things' to do. So instead of 'waiting' to hear him read to me, I just grabbed the paper and said, "I'll just read it." It really made him feel bad. As I have pondered on it I realize that I just need to keep slowing my life down and take time for him so he can enjoy a better quality of life.
We live in such a 'hurry up' world' and I have been slow all of my life. My thought processes and learning ability has always been slow and people and have been telling me to to get moving, don't be lazy, why can't you keep up. Now I find acting the same way I was treated.
Today I was reading Pres. Monson's talk that he gave in the Priesthood session of the October Conference, 2008, and he quoted an old adage: "Do your duty, that is best; leave unto the Lord the rest." My DUTY is to learn as I serve my dear husband. Oh, I pray that the Lord will forgive me for being in such a hurry and continue to teach me Patience, Love, and Understanding. I certainly have a great opportunity to learn it right now and to help George through this life of trials and give him something to live for with MY TIME AND MY LOVE.

A NEW HEART

Several years ago as I was reading the scriptures and I came across one (of many) that talked about receiving a new heart. I thought about that for a long time, and prayed that I might understand what that meant. I felt like I really needed a huge change in my attitude and my ability to love. I knew that I could not do it myself so as I continued to read, pray, and even fast I began to see a change within myself. I began to understand that until I could really begin to love myself, my ability to love others was greatly diminished. I was overly judgemental of others because my judgement of myself was so harsh. Therefore my judgement of my husband and children was also overly harsh.
As I began to really look at myself and give myself permission to be 'human' and make mistakes, I started giving others the same consideration. I haven't really mastered it yet, but I am improving. Although I do find it is easier to give friends, family, neighbors, and my clients more room for error than myself, but I am still working on it. I feel like tons of pressure has been lifted off of my shoulders as I allow the Lord to bless me with a new heart, and he can only do that as I put forth the effort to improve.
Not only has my love for my family improved, but it seems to have helped pull my family members closer together. It never ceases to amaze me how our own attitude affects others. I am so grateful for the love and forgiveness I have received from my family members over the years as I have worked to improve my life and my attitude. They have all helped me to continue to improve my ability to change. I love you ALL so much.

STARTING OVER

Thursday, November 13, 2008
When I started this blog, I really didn't have a clue what I should be doing. I guess there really aren't any 'shoulds and shouldn'ts' but I kept trying to find them. I haven't written anything in here since July and I have been trying to decide whether to just let this blog go by the wayside, or continue to keep it alive.
Well, this morning while I was at the gym and I was reading the conference Ensign and had a few things jump out at me. As I pondered on these things, I realized that there have been many times that I have received an impression, or great idea that I wanted to share, but because I don't write it down, I forget it. So I think I will use this space to share. Maybe nobody will be interested in reading it, but it will help me to write it down.
Even though I haven't kept up this blog, I have been working on another one. This one was originally supposed to be my Health and Wellness blog, but now it will be My Insightful Blog. If you are interested in information on Health and Wellness, just click here.
So here I go on a new adventure.

Being a 'VICTIM'

Sunday, July 13, 2008
I spent most of my live being a 'VICTIM' of my past. I was depressed, angry, anxious and fearful. I was also in a great deal of pain because of hurting my back. Not a fun way to live. I distinctly remember waking up one morning and thinking, "Why do I choose to live this way?" I was tired of it all so I decided to begin making changes. It was hard and slow but very well worth it.
I went to a funeral yesterday for a young man who was only 25 years old. His name is Craig Decker and he drowned in Utah Lake last week while boating with his family. He was quite an incredible person. Just 2 1/2 years ago he was playing with some fireworks and got his hand blown off. He told his parents that he was NOT going to be a victim. He was a student at BYU studying Neuroscience and was in class 2 days after the accident. He was also learning to be a chiropractor and he was determined to learn how to do it with one hand. He helped many people with his YouTube videos showing how to tie your shoes with one hand, and many other things.
He appeared to be a very outgoing personality but spoke privetly to his Dad about how painfully shy he was. He worked to overcome that character trait.
Craig's rules for life were:
1 - People are always more important.
2 - Do what you need to do when you need to do it whether you want to or not.
3 - I am NOT a victim.
4 - Purity is Power.
5 - Leave it better than when you found it.
6 - Life is a joy, a journey in becoming like my Heavenly Father.
7 - Live with purpose.
NO, he wasn't perfect, but he CHOSE to make the best out of life. Everything is a choice, we choose to find happiness and peace in this troubled world or we don't.

Check out Craig's YOUTUBE videos to see him demonstrate how to tie your shoes with one hand along with some other activities that he shares.

Religion and Healing

Monday, June 30, 2008
I know that this is a very HOT subject, but I have felt the need to express my feelings here.
I don't know what I would do without my belief in a Supreme Being as I have gone through the steps of healing from past abuse. I grew up angry and afraid of everything and it wasn't until I really started to study the scriptures that I began to heal.
I was raised in a deeply religious family but I remember as a child, sitting in church, thinking "I can't wait till I grow up so I can stay home from church and do something fun". I was always bored stiff and I didn't like to sit still; it made me nervous.
As I grew up I still didn't care for it but felt a sense of 'having to be in church' so I continued to go. As a young adult I still didn't understand the NEED to go but I continued. It wasn't until I really began to STUDY the scriptures, not just read them but really study, that I understood what was drawing me in that direction. As I studied the life of the Savior and began to follow his example that I felt his love and companionship. I learned to overcome the effects of my past and learn to deal with my body which had never been well or as strong as most people around me.
I get asked all of the time how a God in Heaven can allow bad things to happen to good people. Of course I don't know all the answers, but I like to relate it to raising my own children. When my toddlers were learning to walk, I would stand them up on one side of the room and I would race to the other side and hold out my arms and say, "Come on, come to Mama". I knew that in the beginning they would do more falling down than walking, but that was the only way they would learn. If I held their hand ALL the time or carry them every time they wanted me to, they would never become strong. We would buy them bikes and roller skates and other toys for them that would teach them balance and strength even though we knew that they would crash and get hurt periodically. When they were teenagers we knew they would make some good and some very poor choices, but at times we needed to stand back to allow them to learn from their choices.
Some of their choices were devastating to us as parents, but we continued to love them and had to step aside until they were willing to come back to us for help and we had to wait until they chose to make appropriate changes in their own lives.
I know that my Father in Heaven does the same thing, for he has done it all, and more in my behalf. He loves more perfectly than I do, and judges more lovingly than I do. His mercy and love for me has been so incredible and he has been there to help and strengthen me when I choose to look in his direction. He certainly hasn't made me 'all better' by any means, but he is teaching me to pull myself up and become strong no matter what has happened to me. He has given me the gift of helping others who suffer in this life and I am so incredibly thankful to him for that blessing.
I feel his love and peace when life is challenging, but I have to search for it some times and at other times it is given and received easily. When I don't feel it in the moment, I remember times past that I had it and the memory continues to strengthen me.
I have heard many, many times that it doesn't matter what happens to you, all that matters is what you do with it. I grew up angry and miserable and I remember one day thinking how tired I was from being angry all of the time and I didn't want to do it anymore. So I began a slow and difficult journey of changing my lifestyle and thought patterns. It has been long and hard but very worth it. My life is so much better because of the life and influence of my Savior and my God.
If I were to go back and do it all over again, I would hope that I would learn to rely on him much earlier in life than I did. I am NOT sorry that bad things happened to me, I am only sorry it took me so long to turn my life around and focus on the Lord's light and love.

PATIENCE

Saturday, June 21, 2008
This coming Monday I will be participating in my last phone call from my coach Emil, who has been so patient in helping me build my website and giving me suggestions on my blog. He is the epitome of patience and has become a true friend. We have never met but he calls me every Monday at noon and gives me instructions and answers questions. During the week if I have a 'crisis' I email him and I am always amazed how quickly he gets back to me.
He has put me at ease so many times by telling me to 'take my time' and he never seemed to get annoyed when he would have to explain something several times because I am NOT quick to understand. He laughs with me and sometimes at me but he has never made me feel foolish. He always tells me I'm OK and patiently goes over each step again and again until I get it.
Because my husband, George is hard of hearing, Emil put in some extra time to find a way to record our conversations so George and I could review them over and over again to make sure we could remember ALL the steps of the program that he was teaching us.
I never thought that my computer skills could be where they are now. I am NOT a computer genius and I never will be, but because of Emil's patience, I am not as afraid of the computer as I used to be, and I am more willing to learn new things.
Emil, I want you to know how much I appreciate you and all you have taught me. You have done so much for my confidence and self esteem. Any one else who gets you for their coach is truly blessed. Sincerely, Joyce and George South

Being Thankful

Friday, June 13, 2008
Learning to be thankful is one of the things that has really saved my life. In all the years that I suffered severe depression, as I learned to be thankful I have been so much happier.
I remember many years ago as a young mother, my husband and I were going to weekly seminars at our church where they had invited very prominent family psychologists to come and speak about raising our families. One of them said, "When you and your husband come home from and date, and the children have literally ransacked the house, you look up at the ceiling and exclaim, 'Look, there are no footprints on the ceiling' and be thankful all is well."
It took me years to really begin to comprehend how important it is to be thankful for little things. When in my deepest depressions, I began to think, 'At least I have a home to be depressed in rather than being out on the streets.' At least I have a warm bed to curl up in and be depressed. At least I have plenty of food to eat while I am so depressed.' Thoughts like that were my consolation that all was not lost.
I would have many many sleepless nights because of anxiety and lots of anger because of not being able to sleep. I learned to lay there and pray and tell my Heavenly Father everything I was thankful for. At least I was warm and safe even though I could not sleep. As I prayed I noticed the anger leaving me and I rested even if I didn't sleep.
When life seems really tough, I am learning to be thankful for the good times I have had in the past. Remembering good times and life's blessings is essential. When it is raining and snowing and I desire sunshine, I remember our years of drought and then I am more thankful for the moisture. I am thankful for hard work that keeps my mind and body moving and keeps me from boredom.
I am so thankful for my children who have grown into wonderful adults and married terrific spouses who care for my husband and I as we age and slow down. I am so thankful for wonderful friends and neighbors. Most of all I am thankful for my knowledge of a Father in Heaven who loves me. He doesn't always make life easy for me but he lifts me up and strengthens me to face each challenge.
There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for no matter how small.

PATRIOTISM

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Last night George and I went to the most magnificent concert performed by the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir and the 23rd Army Band in commemoration of D-Day. Wow, I can't even put into words how wonderful I felt. I am not a proponent of war, I don't even like a confrontation, but I am so thankful to live in this country and know that so many people have given up their comfort, family and even their own lives to defend our freedom.
Two of my sons, Jacob and Justin, are in the army reserve. Jacob served in Iraq and Justin is so willing to go if he is called. I also have 2 nephews in the army, Ben and Peter. Ben has also served in Iraq and Peter was serving in Korea keeping our defenses strong. I also have 2 nieces who have served, Tammy in the Navy and Elisa now in the Air force. I am so proud of these young men and women and many others who give up their comfort and family to defend us all.
I want to say THANK YOU to all military personnel with all my heart. My life has truly been blessed to live in this country because of your selfless service. I know our country is not perfect, but it's the best place in the world to live.

Living with Anxiety and Panic

Wednesday, June 4, 2008
My life has been an incessant round of Anxiety and panic because of abuse that I suffered as a child. I am so grateful that the abuse was NOT in my home, but occurred in the neighborhood in which I lived. I have worked for many many years to get the anxiety and panic under control with self help programs, diet changes, acupuncture, relaxation, craniosacral therapy and many other wonderful things that have improved my life dramatically.
As a child I was always very fearful and I was sick most of the time. I think I spent almost as much time at home in bed being sick than I ever spent in school. I had problems with tonsillitis on a very regular basis and that led to a lot of allergies (hay fever) and asthma by the time I was 10 years old. I had attention problems and learning difficulties which we didn't have any answers or information to help me with until I was in my late 30's. I was very, very shy and was embarrassed easily. I grew up fearful and angry and whenever I did accomplish anything good, fear and anger were the emotions that got me there. If I wanted to do something good and someone told me that I couldn't accomplish that task, it was like being dared, so I jumped in with both feet. That is a very hard way to live. It is very exhausting because I couldn't relax and learn. I always felt like I was being watched which only heightened my anxiety.
I could never relax in public for fear I wouldn't measure up to every one's expectations. I wasn't a good leader because I wanted to please everyone. When life was good I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop so I could never really enjoy it. I had a very difficult time controlling my thoughts and I was always imagining the worst. I couldn't sleep at night because I couldn't turn my brain off and if I heard a noise outside I would imagine my house being surrounded with bears or lions or something very ridiculous which again would increase anxiety and panic.
Thankfully I have found many options that have helped me turn my life around. My husband and children have been amazed at the changes in me.
To anyone who reads this I just want to say, Hang in there and keep looking for answers. Life doesn't have to be miserable. It takes a lot of hard work to make changes in your life and find peace but it is worth it. I hope that my link on Anxiety and Panic will help you.
Even though I have already learned a lot over the years, this program had some great ideas that I haven't considered. I tried some of the new ideas 2 days ago because I went into a panic attack about my Monday phone call from my coach who is helping me with my new website and this blog. My panic has been a natural occurrence since George and I decided to sign up for these Internet classes. I have always been terrified of new technology. I tried one of the techniques in this ebook and it really worked for me. By the time I spoke to my coach I was so excited about what we were doing that even he noticed a difference in my ability to work through his instructions. It was great.

Friday, May 30, 2008

HEY, LOOK AT ME!

HEY, LOOK AT ME!

I'm the one who said that I would stay computer illiterate for the rest of my life, and now I have a Blog and a Website. Go figure!
With all the problems I have had with learning, this is one thing that I thought I would never, never attack. But, here I am. It is still very difficult to understand all the concepts of this 'computer generation' but I am slowly catching on. With the inter-net class that I am taking, my coach Emil who calls me every Monday at noon from California, and 3 wonderful daughters-in-law who are so very patient t0 spend time with me at the computer and return my panicked phone calls, I will conquer my horrendous fear of technology! Also the spell checker on this program really keeps me in line. Technology can be fun -----sort of!