Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Do Not Be Fooled; Do Not Compare

Nutrition Challenge:
DO NOT be fooled by clever marketing. The people who come up with the ads or the labeling for food products are skilled in knowing what will catch someone's eye and make them buy the item they are marketing. It's a business. Don't take the wording on the front of a package at face-value. Instead, grab the box and turn it over to look at the nutritional facts. Chances are the, "low in fat," versions aren't as dramatically different as you might think (low in fat is just an example, there are many other marketing methods)
Yes, this way of shopping takes a little bit longer until you get used to it; but it's well worth it to actually know what you are putting into your body!

Fitness Challenge:
How many of us have been going to the gym or the park? Are we still getting the level activity we were a few weeks ago? What about more than we were a few weeks ago? As we are getting more used to our routines, it is important to switch them up and increase the intensity-- it keeps our body guessing instead of becoming adjusted to a set routine. So, if it has been a while since you have switched it up, lets do some interval training again today! (the interval routine is outlined in a previous post-- but basically, warm up for 2 minutes and then give me a minute of as hard as you can, cool down for 2 minutes and repeat. This is a cardio workout and is very effective at burning fat/calories). If you have been doing the intervals for a while-- decrease the cool down time for more of a challenge!

Out of Your Comfort Zone:
In earlier posts, we have been challenged to sincerely compliment people and to write notes showing your appreciation to people... and many other things. We have even had a post titled, "Be an Encourager." Obviously, I find being supportive of others to be a very valuable character trait. Think about a time when you were out-- grocery shopping, dinner, anything-- and someone that you didn't know gave you a compliment. It could be something as simple as liking your outfit, but I bet you still remember how it made you feel! People are so used to being put down or being made to feel inadequate by the media or by self-induced views of what they should be. Today, I want you to be the solution to the inadequate feelings. Whatever you need to do (notes, emails, compliments, cards, a special treat to dinner, whatever) to make the people around you feel special-- do it!

Change Your Thinking:
Sticking with the theme of making people feel special-- today, you need to realize that YOU are special and that YOU are one of a kind. There is nobody in this world exactly like you. You have a unique personality and unique talents and skills. There are things in this world that NOBODY other than YOU can accomplish. God gave you your strengths and skills to make a difference and to use them for His purpose. Think about accomplishments you have made-- and think about the times people have told you that you did an amazing job at something. What skills do those activities require? Focus on what you are good at and the special abilities you have-- DO NOT COMPARE YOUR SKILLS TO ANYONE ELSE-- but, use your one-of-a-kind abilities to make this world a better place! If it takes a few tries to find a way of ministry that you are particularly effective at-- that's okay and normal. Just take what you have learned and apply it to the next thing.
**You don't have to conform to the world to be wonderful--- you were already fearfully and WONDERFULLY made in God's eyes. And tell me, what could be a better compliment than that?

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

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