Spirit: Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the act of understanding the weakness in the person that wronged you. Forgiveness is complete only when you can think of the incident(s) and not feel anger flood your consciuosness. Knowing that you should forgive for your own health and spiritual well-being is a lot easier said than done. Any of you reading this that really need to "let it go" I am praying that you are able to. I am struggling because the person that wronged me is not repentant in a way that I feel that would bridge the gap and allow healing to begin. This person cannot understand why I am still bringing it up. Oh and guess what? This makes a rush of anger invade my body. If I could forgive I would, but am not able to yet. I need to spend more time praying for God to help me. I believe that only God can give me the strength and spiritual nutrition that I need to make this possible.

Mind: Ego blindly guiding us?

For this post I feel that a basic definition of Ego as Freud describes would be helpful to clarify what I am referring to when I use the term Ego----

Id, ego, and super-ego - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "The Ego comprises that organised part of the personality structure that includes defensive, perceptual, intellectual-cognitive, and executive functions. Conscious awareness resides in the ego, although not all of the operations of the ego are conscious. The ego separates what is real. It helps us to organise our thoughts and make sense of them and the world around us.[1]
According to Freud,
“...The ego is that part of the id which has been modified by the direct influence of the external world ... The ego represents what may be called reason and common sense, in contrast to the id, which contains the passions ... in its relation to the id it is like a man on horseback, who has to hold in check the superior strength of the horse; with this difference, that the rider tries to do so with his own strength, while the ego uses borrowed forces [Freud, The Ego and the Id (1923)]”"

My stance is a little different than that of Freud because:
I am thinking a lot these days how the Ego can truly be wrong! It is our filter for reasoning and forming behaviors. My slight obsession with my weight is a result of my perception of reality. Have you ever really questioned your own perceptions??? If the body is looked at as a vessel for the mind/spirit how would it be treated. We need nutritional fuel but our Ego has organized thoughts from past experiences (such as labeling some foods "bad" while labeling others as "good"). Our Ego also has (for many of us females) told us that our value goes up as our jean size goes down. I am striving to be more aware when I am listening to the part of my mind that can be influenced by non-truths! I want to reach my optimal weight and be at my physical potential but not because it makes me a more "loved, wanted or valued" human being. Simply put I want to enjoy the strength and health of a well taken care of body. I will try to embrace my health where it is and treat my body in a way that makes it thrive. My feeling is that we have a part of our psyche that takes in information, processes it and then tries to protect the whole human being. This is the Ego. But the emotional side of our psyche is driven by desires that are rooted in our Spirit. I think it is an inner voice that is fed by a connection to God and guides us to "know better". It is a helpful practice to take some quiet time to analyze your thoughts and feelings. Sometimes you have to tell the Ego to get out of the way so that our spirit can be filled up!

Body: WW point system

I have been thinking about changing my diet/nutrition monitoring. I usually eat "portions" -- I have a protein portion, and fruit portion for breakfast a dairy snack portion later. Then, I will have a starch, a protein, a vegetable and a fruit for lunch. Dinner is a protein and 2 vegetables with a dairy as dessert or snack. This works well for me and I may very well return to it in a few days, but I am going to count points for a few days and see if changing tools will help me get back into gear. I have managed to stay about the same weight since school let out (last week of May). I have about 20-30 more lb.s to lose and really want to get back into it! So far the trend has been - lose a few pounds and then gain them back. Weight Watchers points are a great tool. I bought a points book and restaurant guide on line. There are also many point calculators online.

Live Strong - Inspiration For Better Life Blog - Information, Comments, Reviews

Live Strong - Inspiration For Better Life Blog - Information, Comments, Reviews: "What is a meaning of attitude? Attitude is personal belief, originated from thoughts, feelings, situations and evidences about how life works.Our attitude plays important role, because it shapes what our mind focusing on all the time."

Spirit/Body/ Mind: Inspiring us to take action

Inspiration: 2 photos that really inspire and motivate me to organize/decorate and take care of my body. Inspiration is really necessary sometimes.

Body:

Most Motivational Quotes - Bodybuilding.com Forums: "'The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent.'
Arnold"

Body:

Spin Class tonight! I am gonna release some more endorphins!!!

You can do more than you think you can!!!!!

Spirit:

I have spent a lot of time with my boys this past week and what a blessing they are. They fill up my Spirit with the little moments that have made me so proud of the fine young gentlemen that they are becoming. They both have shown a lot of character and strength through this difficult time. When they are put in family situations they have shown good manners and been very helpful to others. Talk about filling up your Spirit!

Spirit:

I am emotionally drained at this point. I have one more event to attend for my husband's father. It is perhaps the most difficult of all: the graveside service.

I pray that the Lord gives me strength to not have any selfish thoughts and that I will allow my spirit to guide my actions. Today the mind is full of ego and desires for things to be different. I must rise above the circumstances and "feel" what is really happening. A man is being lost as the patriarch of his family and my husband's heart is breaking.

Facebook | Lori Davis Potter: Honorable Man (the poem that I wrote for the "in remembrance" note). For Roger Potter

Facebook Lori Davis Potter: Honorable Man (the poem that I wrote for the "in remembrance" note). For Roger Potter: "Honorable Man
His family is the simple mark
of honor left behind
He believed with all his heart
that this was the best kind
He stood on the strength of his belief,
even when others gave him grief
A moral man that lived unafraid
of any steps that he had made
He was without pretense or shame
He lived a life free of blame"

Roger Franklin Potter Obituary: View Roger Potter's Obituary by Knoxville News Sentinel

Roger Franklin Potter Obituary: View Roger Potter's Obituary by Knoxville News Sentinel

Body:

Endorphins are hormones released into your bloodstream when you engage in moderate to intense exercise for a fairly long period of time (can vary person to person). Keeping the pace where it is difficult to breathe for a certain period of time can bring on this "runner's high". I rarely push myself to the point where I feel the rush (high) of endorphins, but I did today! I did the eliptical machine at the gym at an intense level for 40 minutes and some strength machines + sit-ups and push-ups and I felt it! Exhilerating plus you feel so peaceful for a while. I am at the point where I can exercise at this intense level now-- I love it!

Body/Spirit:

This is the after of my painting project: Doing It Yourself gives such a great sense of satisfaction! Truly good for the soul.

This is the Before: I will not miss the plain white walls!!!!

Body/Spirit:

Rachael West Designs :: Your Life By Design: "Aerobic exercise can be a practical way to battle the fight or flight stress response that is elicited by a stressor. Sleep, relaxation and nutrition were also mentioned as part of a comprehensive stress management plan. Stress management programs often include exercise as a component to stress reduction and mood elevation. Studies have shown that physical activity, including exercise, are an effective tool in reducing anxiety and the perception of stress among adults."
With this quote in mind and my inner uneasiness today in mind as well --- I will pledge to get off the computer and proceed to elevate my mood--- Funny it really is that simple. After a hour of exercise I will reward my body with a bubble bath! I am choosing to do my step routine with my new I-pod (that I got for my birthday)! By the way I love the last line of the quote the most "....the perception of stress..."

Image from Cottage Casual Living blog:

These images soothe my Spirit -- I long to create such Shabby Chic enviornments but I have gone to a more clean lined Contemporary Casual decorating style in my home -- I would love to add some touches that soothe my Spirit like these pictures do -- Welcoming any suggestions.

Body/Spirit:

I am in the middle of a big painting project. I am taking my time and trying to enjoy the process. Home improvement can be so good for the body and the end result is so good for the spirit! That sense of accomplishment when the labor is over is so rewarding. I will post before and after pictures later! This project is also temporarily getting my mind off of my Father-in-law's health, and my husband's spiritual pain. My husband Michael will be delighted that I have done this painting project, which gives me joy to do it as well. Any projects that you have been putting off-- don't because you never really get the time to do it -- you just have to make the time.

Mind/Spirit

I am struggling!!! My husband and I are having such a hard time --- Prayer needed for so much. He is needing compassion and I am afraid I have so many issues (past injuries to the heart) that I am having difficulty meeting his needs. I am going to get my Ego out of the way (mental work) and pray, pray, pray for the Love and compassion of Jesus to fill up my Spirit!

Mind/body/spirit

Back from a trip that kicked off summer. My two sons and I traveled to Atlanta Georgia for a baseball tournament, Braves game, visiting an old friend, and the Georgia Aquarium. My husband Michael could not go with us because he had to stay with his dying father (inoperable brain tumors). Lots of prayers and sadness over-shadowed our trip, and we felt Michael's absence throughout the trip. Mentally we focused on the present moment and tried not to get too down. We are going to see him today at his house -- he is going home to die with everyone around him and our spirits will be tested. It is a tough time to focus on my body because I am planning on still getting my work-outs in and start house cleaning/decorating projects. These next few months will be difficult but I believe that maintaining my health will be helpful to all involved. I want to also be as helpful to Michael's father and family as possible.