Charity

"Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself.  And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again... Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet.  Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings, and having patience with someone who has let you down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped.  Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing  to forgive someone who has hurt us.  Charity is expecting the best of each other."

 

- Marvin J. Ashton 

Goodbye January/Welcome February

January has been a great experience while I've focused on improving my sleep.  Overall, I would say it was successful.  My children are sleeping better.  I'm waking up in the morning surprised that I slept all night.  I feel much more rested.  This past week, though, was not my finest in regard to going to bed at a decent hour.

I will confess, I have an addictive personality.  If I start something, I go OCD and have to finish it.  Great for when I'm cleaning, terrible when it's a fictional book or TV show.  I had two shows that sucked me in.  I watched the rest of Season 3 of Downton Abbey and I did a marathon of The Big Bang Theory. 

How was I able to do this?  Jared was out of town all week and my kids go to bed early enough that TV would take up my evenings.  Downton Abbey killed me.  I cried myself to sleep.  The Big Band Theory is just strange in a humorous way.  It gives me a glimpse into all the nerdy gamer boys I know.  What a trip!  I must say, I'm not proud of myself.

On to February.  This month is associated with expressing love.  I am going to spend this month making a more conscientious effort to not only express my love for my family and friends but to make sure my thoughts are charitable as well (especially towards myself.... something for me to work on this month as well).

Maybe it's Winter blues, I don't know, but I am in a bit of a funk.  I miss the Sun, I miss fresh outdoor air that doesn't freeze my nose hair and burn my lungs (because it's SOOOOOO COLD!).  My children and I have been experiencing cabin fever.  February is the worst part of Winter in North Dakota.  The wind chill is brutal and everyone hunkers down and prays for it to pass quickly.

In my attempt to thrive in February, I will continue to work on improving my sleep and I will be expressing a lot of love and helping my children make more of an effort to express love to each other, their parents and friends.  This exercise will bring much needed warmth to our heart and souls. 

Story Time: Here's someone I love; my Michael.  This video was taken a couple weeks ago when he turned 6 months old.  He's rocking and rolling and hoping to start movin' asap. I got to say, this love of mine not only has my heart but he's captured the heart of his brother and sisters.  They can't get enough of him.  He can't get enough of their adoration.  I never realized the immense joy I would experience watching my children show love towards each other.  No words.  I'm so blessed.

I Need to quiet my mind...

 

There are many methods to help quiet the mind.  You can do deep breathing, visualizations, meditation, music, or journaling, etc..  All are wonderful methods that I enjoy doing.  Another option is a product I love and use if I'm stressed, headachy and restless is a "Still Point Inducer".  I've had one for years.  There is no way I could explain this in my own words and do it justice, so I'll just share with you what it says on the back of the packaging.

"The Still Point Inducer was inspired by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger, develop of CranioSacral Therapy.  It helps relieve pain and discomfort by creating a pause called a still point to strengthen the central nervous system.  Use this effective product every day to help alleviate problems with infection, congestion, headaches, musculoskeletal problems, or whenever you want to release stress and unwind.
 
"'Cerebrospinal fluid bathes and flushes every cell of the brain.  It carries in nutrients, washes away waste products, and helps control pH (acid) levels.  Since CranioSacral Therapy and the proper daily use of the Still Point Inducer enhances the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, it becomes an effective health enhancer for your brain and spinal cord."' - Dr. John Upledger



 Part of my initial training in massage school was craniosacral therapy.  It is one of my favorite modalities.  It takes me to a level of relaxation that I don't normally reach while sleeping.  When a session is done and I finally come back to earth, my brain feels clear and open and all is well is the world.  It's truly a lovely feeling. 

In the description, it mention that the Still Point is a pause in the craniosacral rhythm.  Through research, they've discovered that when a person reaches Still Point, their body goes into therapeutic mode and accelerates the healing process. 

If you are strapped for cash and can't buy one.  Just put two tennis balls in a sock and tie it so the tennis balls can't move at all.  That is a great and effective alternative. 



Directions for Use: 
1. Choose a comfortable surface -- sofa, bed or floor -- ad lie on your back.
2. Place the Still Point Inducer under your head in line with the top of your ears (about 2 to 3 inches above the junction of your neck and skull).
3. Allow the weight of your head to rest on the Still Point Inducer. 
4. Close your eyes and relax.
5. Feel free to use the Still Point Inducer for 10-15 minutes up to four time a day.



Story Time: My dear Audrey when she first saw the Still Point Inducer, she thought it looked like a pair of breasts.  It is so hard for me to not burst out laughing because I catch her putting it under her shirt and checking herself out in the mirror.  Or she'll walk around with it over her chest and boy does she giggle when she sees that I've caught her.  Funny girl.  When I was a little girl, I just used socks. :)

 

 

Time for a cup of tea and use my Still Point Inducer. 

Good night!

Get That Body Movin!!! Part 2

Part of my quest to improve sleep has been exercise.  To keep things interesting, I mix up what type of exercise I do during the week.  We own a treadmill.  Last year, I could barely run on it.  It completely tired me out.  My lungs could hardly take the exertion.  I'd poop out and just walk for awhile.  Running has always made me aware of how mentally and physically weak I am.  Not a great feeling.

Within the last few months, I've been slowly building up my stamina.  At first I really had no idea what I was doing (still don't).  I'd just play around with speeds and challenge myself to go a minute at 5 mph (I know that sound pathetic but that was where I was at).  Then I tried to see if I could go 2 minutes at 5 mph and so on.  Then I'd peak at 7 mph (which is still pretty crazy and intense for my short fat legs).  I've been amazed at how well my lungs are adjusting to longer intervals of running.  I've gone 5 minutes at 6 mph.  :)

Lately, I've been going 5 minutes walking at 4 mph to warm up. Then I would alternate 5 minutes going 5 mph and then 5 minutes walking at 4 mph.  Then I'd throw in 6 mph for  5 minutes.  Or I'd go an extra 30 seconds running here and there.  My initial goal was to go just 20 minutes.  Now I go until I hit 3 miles (which takes more than 30 minutes for me right now). 

Yesterday, as I showed on my list of accomplishments, I ran 25 minutes going 5 mph (a little over 2 miles).  I felt so empowered.  Then I walked for 15 minutes to get that final mile.  I was somewhat disappointed that I stopped running so quickly because my shins started to tighten and my legs felt very heavy.  For those of you that run, why did my legs feel so heavy? 

I stretched for awhile afterwards.  It actually felt good. My lungs weren't about to burst which is INCREDIBLE!!!!!  Today, I just ran a mile (took a little less than 12 minutes) and then cooled down for a couple minutes.  I hear you are suppose to have days where you run less.  Is that correct?  Let me point out that I said I "just" ran a mile.  What is happening to me?  It wasn't that long ago (like last week) that running a mile straight seemed daunting.

I know there are tons of websites with suggested training programs.  I'm not sure which is right for me.  I've just been listening to my body and trying to challenge myself here and there.  My goal is to run in a 5K on St. Patrick's Day.  I'm pretty excited about that. 

My big goal which I'm nervous to share on here because that means I'm committing myself is to run a 10K at the Fargo Marathon.  EEK!  I figure if I'm able to go 3 miles now even if it's not all running, I should be able to do a 10K by spring.  Right? 

Any tips on building endurance and speed is welcome.  What are you doing to keep your body moving? Another question, I have no complaints about my running shoes now but I think I may need to buy a new pair sometime soon.  How much time do you need to break a pair of shoes in before a race?  The back of my ankles are prone to blistering and bleeding in a new pair of shoes.  Eww.

Today I THRIVED!!!!

My children are finally on the mend after a very long run of cold/flu symptoms being passed around between them over and over again.  We were oiling it up the whole time, trying to keep warm, sipping tea but this bug really held on. 

Today was just lovely.  Here's a list of what me and my children accomplished today:

• scripture study
• practicing piano
• reading lesson
• Sammy and I worked on writing his name (he likes to write BIG 'S's to fill the page)
• Eliza worked on her alphabet puzzle singing the alphabet song with Audrey and me
• We all had fun playing with Michael and making him laugh.  He loves to laugh and we love to hear him laugh.
• LOTS of puzzles
• Kids cleaned their rooms (there actually wasn't much to clean thankfully)
• My room stayed clean
• Laundry folded and put away (Audrey and Sammy put their clothes away with my direction)
• Minimal TV (we've been watching way too much TV because of illness and everyone feeling drained... I've weaning them off and it is so nice!)
• Lots of books were read
• Art Project
• Kitchen cleaned
• Dinner made
• Oh!!!  I ran 25 minutes straight on the treadmill without taking a break.  That is HUGE for me!!!  HUGE!!!
• Kids were wonderful about picking up and helping keep the house in order (it isn't perfect but nice)
• I had to make a difficult phone call that gave me a lot of stress because I was anticipating the worst.  Thankfully my prayers were heard and the conversation was actually a breeze.  I got off the phone and was just about to break down and cry from gratitude.  I knelt down and thanked my Father above for giving me strength.  The experience made me feel empowered to overcome all things.  (That is probably why I ran for so long, it was just after that phone call)

 

Story Time: The kids and I had so much fun doing this little art project.  It's called snow painting and I found the idea and recipe off a cool blog today. You just use shaving cream and glue in equal parts. The texture after it dries is really cool.  Super easy. Eliza was going crazy with the paint. It was getting all over the table.  Audrey decided to join Eliza's party as well and just started painting her hands and rubbing it on the table.  From this party I learned that snow paint cleans up very easily!!!!  Sammy was much more careful with the paint and didn't have much interest in getting messy with it like his sisters. Tomorrow we're going to string up our artwork and display it across the window for us to enjoy while it's horrifically cold outside.


Stay warm and sleep well tonight!