Joy to the World!

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!  I realize the Christmas season is "over," but why?  Why not celebrate Christ's birth in our lives every day of the year?  With joy! 

Yesterday we were at a spirit-filled and entertaining show given by Frank Runyeon. He used to be on soap operas of the day and night (i.e. One Life to Live, Falcon Crest, etc).  He talked about the Sermon on the Mount and then went into the messages that we get everyday from the media and society.  For children, it's BUY.  For women it's WEIGHT and looking good.  For men, it's WIN. 

His point was that we think we can find JOY in these, but it doesn't happen.  At least not permanently.  He spoke of his well-to-do son that went to Dominican Republic and seeing children that did not have much material goods, but were so filled with joy.  It reminded both Paul and I have this scene in St. Maarten.


As we were driving the streets of St. Maarten, I saw this house with the two girls playing in the parking lot next door.  I am attracted to colorful houses and doors, but this scene enticed me because the two girls had the same bright colored outfits as their home. 

We stopped, and as I got our of the car with my camera, they saw me and waved at me with these beautiful smiles.  It made me feel as if they knew me.  This was the first picture I took.  They came closer and I took a couple more photos.  The youngest girl has the words "cutie pie" on her shirt and they both were cutie pies!





 
Their home was located on the edge of an industrial area of Phillipsburg, a place that most Americans would consider undesirable for a home.  Yet they walked their dog and played in the rutted parking lot next door and greeted people with huge smiles.  You could tell they knew joy! 
 
The speaker yesterday spoke about our new year and our resolutions.  How many of our resolutions involved giving kindness and love to others?  I have to admit and my blog attests to this that my resolution is all about me and my eating habits, etc.  Thank God, I have time (i.e. I'm still alive) and I can add so worthy resolutions to my new year!
 
I resolve to seek and find ways to give thanks, love, and joy to another person each day.  Thanks for reading my blog, there may only be a couple of you, but your comments are valued.  And knowing you are out there makes me more accountable for my actions.
 

New Year, New Day, New Me!

Happy New Year! Happy New Day! The infamous day we resolve to do more or do less or change something in our lives. I am one of thousands of people that are probably publicly (as in a blog) pronouncing my resolutions or writing it down or saying to another person.


No matter what happens, I do know that this year and this day will continue to roll on, I can't change that. However, I can only change me or my attitude towards me. If you have been following this blog, you will know that I started out with a resolution to obtain peace in my life. Peace in my physical, emotional and spiritual beings.


The year 2008 ended on a positive note, even if I have gained back almost all the weight I lost last year. But the "positive note" is that the weight gain does not make me a "failure." It does not determine the kind of person I am and how I treat others.


In the past year, I allowed the love of Jesus to come into my life, accepting His free gift again. The action of "allowing" and "accepting" began my transformation into believing that I am worthwhile. That was a positive key to my spiritual health and spiritual peace.


Then I have read several books that re-affirmed to me that I can choose to feel and act how I want. I have choices, I have options. I do not have to be tied to external forces, opinions or attitudes of others. That was emotionally freeing, a feeling of peace.


The third thing that happened and I will admit I did not think it would make any difference in my health, but it certainly appears to be so. Maybe, it's psychological and not physical, but the doctor put me on blood pressure medication and I feel calm. I wonder if my body working so hard (with the high blood pressure) made me jittery and nervous? Regardless, I have a physical peace that feels great.


So, today I start off the new year with my resolutions. I plan to have positive, "add" or "more" resolutions, no negative or "can't have" resolutions! The more I say NO to myself, the more I rebel and fail.
1. Drink more water.
2. Eat more vegetables, raw & steamed
3. Eat at least one serving of fruit per day
4. Write in my journal (or blog) at least once a week.
5. Do a Bible or meditative study at least once a week.


Sounds easy enough, but that's OK because I can gain benefits to my health - physical, emotional and spiritual which will all bring me peace.