The Potter's Wheel, A Slow Work in Progress.

Patience. A single word that can amount to so much. It is the difference between making it, or not making it in many aspects of our human existence. Patience is the evidence of faith, and faith is the evidence of confidence in something larger. Confidence in your abilities, your strengths, and even your weaknesses. Confidence in becoming "all you where created to be." Confidence in small changes that must take place to achieve a greater reality. It is a slow work in progress. That "extra effort" it takes to makes the outcome more valuable. Patience breeds excellence. It requires the fine art of human discipline. Letting go of the immediate gratification process, and embracing "the actual process."

"Mastery"... It just doesn't "happen."It requires skill, time, timing, patience, fortitude, discipline and sacrifice.

I know in my daily experience, sometimes I get ahead of myself. I forget that each day is a step in a process to achieve my goals. I get trapped in staring "way down the road,"or so it seems. Not fully appreciating the "now." Big mistake! By focussing so far down the road, am I truly doing my best for "NOW?" Probably not. I'm losing some of life's precious moments living ahead of myself- wanting tomorrow, today!! Much like a little kid in a candy store, looking for something more, when I already have all I need....?

It seems we are so used to immediate results, it is hard to commit to anything that requires true fortitude.
So, without throwing away the dreams, and ideals, let's focus on a day at a time. Sometimes even a second at a time. Small steps, big picture.

I like to do this with my clients. Looking at he big picture, what does it take? For example, the goal is weight loss. Let's specify the amount of weight and the time frame.  Is it reasonable and healthy goal? Are there ways we can quantify our results on the way to our goals? We can do body fat testing, weighing and measuring.  What does it take to achieve the goal?  A step by step approach to fitness and nutritional milestones that will eventually achieve the necessary calories deficit to achieve a healthy, but enjoyable journey to the "big picture."What obstacles can you anticipate?" ( Examples of these would be life's many happenings such as dinner out, parties, emotional events, menu planning for the family and even work schedules.) What can you do about the obstacles, now that you can identify them?This requires diligence on your behalf to realize this work based on your choices. You choose what you do, You can plan your "choices" ahead of time so that you are prepared with how to handles life's little whammies, and yes, they will happen! Strategies are everything.

Every bit as important as having a strategy, is reviewing the strategy. Perfecting it. Taking out the small things that can "blindside" your efforts, frustrating your efforts.   I like to review the week with my clients, and their victories and their downfalls.  Examining different choices. Did you achieve your weekly goals? How did you overcome difficulties? How can we improve in the next week? Small steps. Yes, the big picture is great, but let us enjoy and celebrate the small victories along the way!! These pebbles are what are lives are composed of. Breathing in and out, each breath is a victory. We are alive and capable of our destinies. We are all given gifts. We can nurture these gifts, fine tune them into a "big picture" victory. This requires diligence, faith and patience. Sometimes it is just sitting still. Waiting. Sometimes it requires purposeful action. But it will require a bit of both to become that final work of art. It takes a lifetime to get there. Day by day. We are all a work in progress.
It is your choice if you desire to be a rare gift, or just another ordinary vessel on the shelf of life.

The Abundant Attitude

When going through the  journey of life there is one thing you carry with you everywhere you go. You are accountable for it. It can make you, or it can completely break you. It will determine whether you are successful, or not. You can develop it, and grow it, or let it stagnate. It is best formed through humility,and can develop true strength. It is your attitude.

We all love a good story. The underdog that excels to greatness, the person who defies death and survives ( against all odds), the odd man out, the person who after a lifelong struggle lost 100 pounds. We have all heard these remarkable stories. We love them, they give us hope. But what determines who will have this fortitude in them? Some people seem to have a lot more moxie, somehow.

We all go through this life and experience various trails. Some view these trials as roadblocks (they stop, and don't press on), others as expected pebbles in the road of life (they knew the pebble would be there).  How you view and perceive these difficulties will determine how you overcome them. Attitude. The willingness to learn from others. The willingness to learn from experiences. Humility. By admitting weakness, you are on the road to true strength. The ability to overcome. The tougher thing yet, is to be grateful for ALL your experiences, and not allow the to create bitterness in your soul.

When confronted with a problem, what do you do? Do you procrastinate, allowing the problem to take on a life of it's own (and it will). Procrastinating seems to be a big part of human nature. It is usually fear driven, and prevents development of you character, and will show up in your attitude about relevant issues in your life. It will eat at goals, and invade your peace. 

I recently attended a mentorship program in San Diego with a very well respected trainer ( A trainer that trains athletes, and regular "Joe's" and does mentorships on  business and personal development), his name is Todd Durkin. Great experience. Character building.  We received so many "gifts" from this experience, I am still uncovering some of them. One of the many books I received as a gift was called "Eat That Frog" by Brian Tracy. In this book the author discusses procrastination, and ways of dealing with it. One line that stands out in this book is that "Your 'frog" is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you DON"T do something about it. IT IS ALSO THE ONE TASK THAT CAN HAVE THE GREATEST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE AND THE RESULTS AT THE MOMENT."

Seems most of our biggest trails and tribulations are from a failure to do something. If we don't take care of our health, our finances, our responsibilities, we do suffer the consequences. If we refuse to "own" this our character and our attitudes reflect this. We become bitter... or we can learn and grow. We have a choice.

 This is where real character, and development of "winners" come into effect. What is your "frog", and what do you choose to do about it? Today is today... there is no promise of tomorrow. in fact many believe the end is near.  Do you humble yourself and seek growth... or do you pretend it doesn't really matter?

Today counts. Every second counts. Your drive  and determination  can develop greatness, if you can believe, and step out in faith, and just know. Faith is key in development. You can do great things, if you do it and do it with all your heart. This is the abundant attitude! 

  I want to share with you one other thought that I try to hold onto since my San Diego experience. Sometimes I think about it before a challenge. There was one other book that Todd  shared with us, it was call 212 Degrees. As it goes, "at 211 degrees water boils, at 212 water becomes steam... and steam can power a locomotive". That Is the difference in one degree. THAT is the difference between okay and greatness. That is the CHOICE of abundant living, and it lives in each and every one of us!

Out of the Well of Wellness Comes Water

There's nothing like it on a hot day, it is indispensable to all life forms, and it covers 71% of the earths surface (Wikipedia). You can freeze it, boil it, pour it, change it into something else through mixing it.... Water is wonderful!

Water is something that all living beings require. Without adequate water intake our bodies do not function optimally. We are composed of approximately 55-60% water. It is inorganic and forms the majority of almost all body tissue. Water participates in endless functions every that we take for granted. From your ability to see, to digestion, to a cleanser for pollutants, to a hydraulic system for your spine, and other joints, and it can help relieve constipation. Almost all metabolic reactions take place in the presence of water, it is the medium for transporting molecules in, and out, of cells. 

A mere 2% water loss can create memory problems, balance problems and lower your energy level. Our brain is mostly composed of water, and it is essential for it to function and maintain bodily functions. Unfortunately, by the time we "register" thirst ,we are already dehydrated. 

According to research most of us function at a level of mild dehydration. This dehydration doesn't only affect us physically and mentally, but cellularly. According to Medical Exercise Specialist Ty Tims, "If fluid levels aren't up to par in a cell, it's not going to be able to carry out it's function, whether it's a neuron or a musculoskeletal cell. Each cell has a special function and its efficiency level will increase, or decrease, depending on hydration levels."

According to Eldon Askew, PhD, professor of the Division of Foods and Nutrition at the University of Utah College of Health, body cells shrink, or expand, depending on fluid levels in the body, this changes the "spacial relationship of the organelles (structures  within the cells that assume specific roles)," Askew continues to say, "We think these changes in cellular size act as a signal for the regulation of cellular metabolism."

Dr. Askew's research suggests that drinking eight glasses of water each day may actually increase metabolic rates, and help the body burn calories more effectively. Additionally,  according to Jane Penz, PhD of Tuft's University, "Over weight persons need more water since larger persons have a larger metabolic load. An additional glass of water for every 25 pounds of excess weight is recommended." Dr Jane goes on to say, "Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract. Water also helps sagging skin that usually follows weight loss. Shrinking cells are buoyed by water, which plumps the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and resilient."

Not only is water essential for metabolism and weight loss, but heart health. According to Jacqueline Chan, PhD, and also Synnove Knutsen, MD PhD , "drinking high amounts of plain water is as important as exercise, diet and not smoking to prevent coronary heart disease." (Save Your Life With Water," www.adventistreview.com/2002-1542/story3. American Journal of Epidemiology) They went on to say, "Basically not drinking enough water can be as harmful to your heart as smoking." Their study discovered individuals that consumed 5 or more glasses per day of PLAIN water had a much power risk of developing coronary heart disease. "People need to be made aware that there is a difference , at least for heart health, whether they get their fluids from plain water or from soda," says Chan. We sometimes think that fluid is fluid. This can be very counterproductive, as some fluids act as catabalists to the system. There is no substitute for water!!

Water before, during , and after exercise  is also recommended. While there are varying opinions on the exact amount of water required, under average environmental conditions, 1.0 to 1.5 ml (1 ml=.03 ounces) of water per calorie expended is a good estimate for proper

 hydration. 

We all need to satisfy our thirst for survival. Often we allow our thirst to get "out of control" to a dangerous level. We have needs that must be met for optimal health.  As we have more than a physical level, and we are multi- level and function, it is critical to achieve satisfaction in all levels of wellness. We have a physical need for water, an emotional need for water and a spiritual need for living water. Wouldn't it be wise to heed all of these needs for total wellness?

This is article three for the NEWSTART program. 

Let's drink deep from the well of life!!