A New Year, A New Resolve?

THERE IS NO TRY!

Wow! It sure has been some time since I posted anything new here. I guess I should apologize to those who expected to read more encouragement from me. I am sorry that I sort of let you down by not posting here for over a year. Maybe, if some of my readers are still around, you will take a minute with me again.   My new resolve for 2013 is to keep up with posting here more often.  I am going to stop waiting for something incredibly "profound" to strike my sense, though!  So, get ready to read more often, yet, maybe more "mundane" content!  It's going to be more the day to day, maybe even checking in or creating accountability with readers!  I hope you will stick with me and comment!

I have been thinking about this for some time now.  I have a wonderful new job for a great company: RealDose Nutrition.  Our main product is Weight Loss Formula No 1, which is an herbal supplement to assist those with their weight loss program.  I have been working in caring for our customers now for 8 months, and I LOVE my work!   I love being a helping, concerned customer service person, who wants to really help people make their lives healthier and happier.  Sometimes, I get a bit frustrated, which, if you've ever done any customer service type work, I know you understand!  I said this months ago however, to my boss, that working with RealDose would not only change the financial and work side of my life, but everything in my life as well!   The interesting thing about this is do I really WANT the changes?

I have been learning a LOT about diet, nutrition, our products and how the use of supplements can improve mood, overall health and impact wellness. I have also learned and studied quite a bit lately about the use of drugs, pharmacological treatments and the devastating use of these drugs, essentially chemicals, on life and health of many. So, this is where this blog comes in.  I talk to so many people every day.  People in every age group, and size, and state of health and mind.  Many have chronic health conditions, and have been told they must lose weight to help that.  These also seem to be the folks who say they a "tried" so many things to lose weight, and are still struggling.  Many want to just stay fit and trim, or maintain their weight and fitness.  Some seem to have a penchant, if you will, for any "natural" gimmick or new fad.  They watch Dr Oz and take pretty much everything he says as "gospel", so they are open to trying new things.  Our product appeals on a lot of levels, but I am discovering that it doesn't seem to "fit" everyone that buys it. 

One thing that has been on my mind a lot is how our customers seem to divide into two very distinct groups of people. First, there are the people who purchase our product, fully understanding that it can help them lose weight, and really expecting that to happen.  However,  they also chose to make healthier choices in their diet and lifestyle, along with using Weight Loss Formula.  So, they faithfully use our product as recommended,  and do all the things we also recommend in our guideline to healthy eating.  When they make that decision, they usually have good things to report to us within a few months of use.  One of the best parts of my job was being assigned to work on the testimonials that we have received from happy customers. 

This realization, along with my own personal ideals, brought a lot of insight into this "truth", as it were: that those who had approached buying and using our product with the resolve to do what was necessary to change old habits, did meet their goals or were on their way to meeting their weight loss goals.  Many have also reported how much better they felt too, not just as a result of using our product, but just about what they had accomplished!

Now this brings me to the other distinct group.  I do all aspects of customer service: I not only take customer calls for sales, but also for support and complaints.  Since our product has a full, money back guarantee, we do hear from a fairly good number of people seeking a refund.  When they contact us, we do try to do everything we can to help them understand that our product is not a "miracle pill", which magically takes off the weight, without their making any other changes to their lifestyle.  We always try to talk them into staying the course, continuing to work on their program and maybe try to refer them to our one on one coaching program for additional support.  Some customers are receptive to this, and decide to keep working at it.  

But, then there are some who simply decide, after just a few weeks of use, that like all the other things they have "tried" and failed with to lose weight, our product is among them now.  They have offered all kinds of creative reasoning, also known as "EXCUSES" why they don't want to keep working on meeting their goal.   Interestingly, some even make those excuses before even starting to try our product. 

As soon as they get the product, and read through our guideline for healthy eating, they say, "I just can't do that!"  or "This doesn't fit my lifestyle" or "I can't drink that much water every day!".   So, they call us up, or email us, to make a return!

I also realized that this pretty much sums up the whole of our society, or our humankind.  You can find these two types of folks in pretty much every walk of life.  The first group are the "go to", "GUNG HO" group.  Nothing holds them back, once they have set their minds on something!  They decided to make it happen, and they are willing to do whatever it takes now to be successful and attain their goals.  Then there is the second group.  For lack of a better word, they are simply "lazy".  In truth, their ability or skills are probably no less than the first group.  The only difference between them is a simple thing called "motivation".  Also, a healthy amount of desire, resolve, tenacity and faith, and a dash of humor!

To the second group, the folks that regularly meet with success at what ever they put their mind to appear "lucky", or "smart" or "privileged".  They seem to also place labels on the successful set: labels that they decide, for whatever reason(again an excuse), don't or can't apply to them.   They also seem to end up in a "rut" in life.  They go through life deciding to place these labels or limitations on their thinking first, and this adversely affects everything they do, or that they decide NOT to do.  You can find them, at that point,  going a step further in deciding perhaps that they were "victims" of their situations or circumstances.   I have also seen that this lifestyle habit is a pretty dangerous one.  They have "learned" helplessness, victim mentality, and maybe thrive on this through out their lives and prey on others for help.  Finally they seem to end up playing the blame game, and wondering why their life is so "crappy"!  And the thing they seem to do best is complain about how everything and everybody has "wronged" them throughout their life!

So, after this understanding, coming back to my personal experience, I realized this about myself.  Some years ago and through my journey to single living again, I learned how I had to make the decision to change things about my life that I found unsatisfactory.   When I made the decision to stop focusing on others, or placing the blame for my circumstances on others, and to turn inward, I began to realize that I too, wasn't any "worse" or "better" off than others.  That the people I envied for their "good" lives, or great jobs, or living situations, were really no different than myself.  And that if I made the decision to just DO IT, I could make the changes in my life to have to kind of life I envied in others.  This change began in my thinking, and then in my words: first to myself and then to others.  And finally, it culminated in my setting out to just DO the thing I desired!   I know you're probably thinking that this sounds deceptively simple!  Yet, any accomplishment really begins with how you think about it, and yourself, then make the decision to just DO the thing you want.  

That is why this film line is one of my favorite quotes:

"Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."   

-- Yoda in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Since it is getting quite late, I will go ahead and post this "installment" for today.  I want to continue on this subject tomorrow and to tell you about what all this has really taught me about myself, as well!  I will also share what all this great insight may hold for the coming days and month, and throughout this wonderful new year!  

I hope you'll stick with me, and tune in regularly for my new, 

"A NEW HEALTHIER YOU?
  or the journey to a healthier ME" blog!

Do Not Give Way to Fear

" Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." 
~~ 1 Peter 3:6

Peter writes here to exhort the women to not be overly focused on their outward appearance, but to prepare themselves spiritually. This Word stood out to me in response to the recent conversations on one of my message boards. One member expressed this concern: "I'm too worried about what others will think of me". Where does this anxiety come from? It is our human desire to feel accepted and a sense of belonging with others. There comes a time, however, that we as believers must understand that we are not part of this world. We may live in it for a time, but we do not have to conform to its ways. When we face anxiety like this, we must seek Him and His will for us. We have been called out to live our lives "set apart" and holy for Him.

When we fully understand our heritage through Him, we can allow Him to take all our fears and anxieties. Therefore, we have nothing to worry about. Our Messiah told us we may have to be separated, even from family, through our faith. But, we have a much bigger inheritance through Him! I believe we are coming into times when we will be tried and we will have to answer to where we stand: either with Him or with the world. Even in the seemingly insignificant things, like wearing covering or modest dress, we are standing on our convictions and taking action regarding our beliefs.

Yes, many will argue that it's not that important. That He knows the condition of our hearts and that's all that matters and that we are covered by grace and mercy through Him. And that it is not by works that we are "saved". No question that our Savior did that work for us, and through our profession of faith, we are saved! Yet, throughout scripture, we are also given instruction for living lives in obedience to Him, and not giving ourselves over to the world and evil.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

~~ Romans 12:1-2

Why is what we wear important? I mean what’s the big deal about covering? Well, I thought about all the ways He has changed me and given me strength to be courageous for Him. The belonging I have in Him!

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 

~~1 Peter 2:9

In fully realizing our true identity, through Him, comes peace, love and in understanding this love we cast out all fear. You can read in the second chapter of Acts and see how the Spirit transformed the man who was called "Simon" in the gospels, into the strong and powerful "foundation of the church", the man "Peter". It's an incredible witness to see this change from the man who denied knowing Messiah three times to one who was willing, even unto death, to boldly witness to the truth of who He is! (Read Acts 2:14-41)

What is our witness? How shall we walk in our daily lives to witness to those who haven't heard or fully realized Him? Are we willing to live today fully devoted to Him? Sometimes I feel as though many believers today are filled with fear. They are afraid of not being liked, or not accepted by others. Or they are afraid of offending others or being considered "radical" or even "crazy". We put our faith in its neat, little compartment, which we only open on the day we choose for worship, or church attendance. Then we go right back to the world and the rest of our living, having shut the box up for another week. We certainly don't want to mix the two or bring any apologetics or "religion" to our weekly duties!

Our witness requires more than lip service or the obligatory motions we make because "I was raised that way". I believe He is calling us all to go deeper with Him. To submit our every waking hour to Him, not just through weekly observances and rituals. It's knowing that our every breath depends upon Him and He becomes as important to us as the very air we breath! And when we can completely give ourselves and everything about our lives over to Him, He rewards us with "perfect peace" and casts away all our fears through His love! We can speak His word with confidence no matter the day or hour!

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

~~ 2 Timothy 1:7

I want to encourage you all to go deeper with Him. Allow yourselves to be completely given over to His will for you and your daily lives. If this submission includes making the decision to cover, that is wonderful for you! Rejoice in this as your opportunity to make an outward sign of your heart which has become His heart within! And speak boldly when asked about how He has changed your life and heart! Speak of His love and do all you can to spread that love to all you meet. When we can all do this, imagine how His glory will be revealed in the darkness of the world!

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."

~~ Colossians 2:6-8

With much love to all my sisters in the faith!