Encouragement thoughts by Max Lucado

As we near the end of our blogging days for class I want to talk about the importance of encouraging students. I have read the book "You Are Special" by Max Lucado. This book describes wooden people called Wemmicks. Wemmicks were all different just like we are. The Wemmicks put stickers on each other to represent good things or bad things. If they did good things they were given golden star stickers which were not removable. If they did things wrong they received gray dots which were also not removable. Golden stars were given for things such as being pretty, being talented, if they knew big words, etc. Gray dots were given for things such as being clumsy, having chipped wood, forgetting things, etc. There was one certain Wemmick called Punchinello who received many gray dots. He was very sad about all his gray dots. One day he met a young Wemmick who had no stickers. Long story short she sent him to their maker Eli. Eli explained to Punchinello that he was very special and loved. Eli told Punchinello why the young girl didn't have any stickers "Because she has decided that what I think is more important than what they think. The stickers only stick if you let them." As Punchinello began understanding how much he meant to Eli the gray dots began to fall off of Punchinello. When I begin teaching I hope to encourage each and every child in my classroom. I want to be a "sticker free" classroom. I also want to explain to my students that sometimes people will say hurtful things but they don't need to let that sticker stick. They need to believe they are special in their own way. I am looking forward to this journey in my life. God bless each one of you and I wish you all the best of luck in your future.

Be Still

I went to my weekly bible study tonight with my wonderful family. Tonight our bible study really spoke to me. Our lesson tonight was on being still and listening to God. I know that lately I have been so busy with work, school, and being a mom that I haven't made the necessary time to spend with God. My life always seems to be so much more stressful when I pull away from God. After my divorce this past year I have fallen much further away from God than I am comfortable with. I miss that once strong relationship I had with God. I know it's still there I just have to slow down enough to strengthen that relationship. I spent time being angry with God over my divorce. I am not proud to make such a statement but it's true. I want my relationship with God to be like it once was. I know my divorce was not God's fault and I need to understand that God delivered me from a very unhealthy situation. I often wish that God would have revealed more information prior to the wedding but I trust it's all part of His plan. I would not be in this program if I had not married my ex-husband. Both of his parents were retired school teachers and they encouraged me get my masters. I truly feel that God's plan for me is to work with children. I have been very stressed about my upcoming internship and the affect it is going to have on my finances. Tonight I was gently reminded that in the midst of this crazy world I must slow down and take time to listen to God. I know that once my relationship with Him is right, everything else will fall into place. My suggestion to you is make sure you take time out of your schedule and sit down and listen. He has important information He wants to share with us if we are willing to make the time to listen.

Quote

I heard a fantastic quote on the radio the other day. "Blessed are those who are flexible for they never get bent out of shape." When I heard that quote it changed my whole thinking for the day. Where I work has become extremely stressful over the past 6 months. We are all so overwhelmed it's crazy. I have noticed the attitudes around the office becoming more negative. When I got to work that day I shared the quote with my co-workers and they all loved it. For the rest of the day whenever we became stressed or frustrated we would say "I am flexible." While we giggled about it all day I really think it helped boost morale around the office. We are actually still using that quote everyday. You never know how you may impact someone else's life on a daily basis. You can have a positive or negative affect on other people. I try everyday to be a light in the life's of others. It is important for us to remember that we must be flexible in our lives or we will be miserable. There will always be circumstances that are less than desirable in our lives. Our reaction and attitude towards those circumstances can make all the difference. As for me and my life...........I will be flexible!!!!

Student teaching

I received my letter from South yesterday regarding my internship in the Fall. I am so excited about this experience. I will be working with 3rd grade students which just happens to be the grade I want to teach. I am so nervous about the upcoming changes that will have to take place in order for this to work. I currently work an 8 to 5 job and I am the sole provider for me and my daughter. I am going to be doing my student teaching during the day and then working in the evenings and weekends in order to have an income during that time. I am praying that the good Lord is going to take control of the situation and everything will be just fine. I am trying very hard to let go and let God. I heard a song today on the radio about that very subject. As I was driving I was thinking about just how hard it is to actually let go and let God. I know I need to trust that this is His will for my life and the He will make a way for it to happen. I just wish I could slow down those wheels in my head.

Relocating

I mentioned earlier this week that I took a road trip to Atlanta last weekend with my mom and daughter. We had a great time. My sister is trying to convince me to move up there with her. She actually lives a little north of Atlanta in Duluth. She has lived up there now for about 4 years. I have never really put much thought into leaving Mobile since I have been here my whole life. The more and more I think about it the more interesting it sounds. I am recently divorced and I would love a fresh start somewhere. I must admit that the thought of leaving my comfort zone is terrifying. Then I sit back and think about all the possibilities up there. The school system is so much better than it is here. My daughter has had the privilege of going to a private school most of her life. While she will attend private school this year, I will not be able to afford it again the next year. I am wondering if anyone has relocated somewhere before and if so what was your experience like. I highly doubt that I would ever really have the courage to do it but I would love to hear some input.

My new favorite store

I went to Atlanta with my mother and daughter this past weekend to visit with my sister and her family. On our way up there we stopped in Opelika to eat. I found the most amazing store ever called Earth Fare. It had isle after isle of healthy organic foods. The store reminded me somewhat of Fresh Market only better. They had the most amazing selection of health foods I have ever seen. There was a place where you could make your own peanut butter. They had tons of peanuts next to this machine. The machine is used to turn the peanuts into peanut butter. They had plastic containers where you put the fresh peanut butter. They also had an amazing selection of soy yogurts and milks. The products they offered are exactly what we all need to start buying. I could go on and on about this wonderful place but I doubt that most of you share the same enthusiasm as I do about healthy food choices. If we took out a large portion of processed foods we would all feel better. Although we were on our way to Atlanta we spent more than an hour in this store just walking around in awe. I hope Mobile gets one soon.

Positive Thinking

I know I have laid some pretty heavy information down this week so I figured I would lighten it up a little. Today I want to talk about the importance and power of positive thinking. I have recently been on a mission to take charge of my own negative thoughts. On my journey I have found out what a major impact our own inner dialogue has on our attitudes. I have read multiple books about this topic and I have walked away encouraged. I am learning to cut out negative thoughts as they creep into my head. These days I am feeling extremely overwhelmed between work, school, and being a mother. I keep having my own little pity party in my head. But now I am armed with helpful positive knowledge. It is so important that we try to push negative thinking out of our heads the moment it creeps in. We have to take charge of our own thoughts. Where I work has become extremely stressful over the past few months. It seems no matter how hard or how much I work I just can't get caught up. Not to mention I work on foreclosing on peoples homes which is most depressing. I have worked weekends, nights, through my lunch hour to no avail. Then there is school which is never ending in itself. Then I am a mother to the most wonderful and understanding daughter in the world. I have really learned to quit feeling like a victim and take charge. I try to find positive in everything. I am thankful I have a great job that is secure. I am thankful that I have the opportunity at a great education. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with the most amazing daughter. It is a daily battle that I have with myself to not focus on the negative but search for the positive in everything. If you look hard enough and focus your thoughts on those things you will feel so much better.

A Healthy Alternative

I will say that the hardest part of becoming a vegetarian for me was giving up chicken. I loved chicken. After learning about what goes on behind closed doors I was no longer able to eat any chicken. I struggled for a while before I found a great replacement. Morning Star makes a wonderful chicken alternative. The best I have found is the chicken patties. They contain no real chicken but they taste great! I am a very picky eater so trust me when I say they are good, they must be good. Even my daughter prefers them over the real deal chicken patties. I feel much better about letting her eat the Morning Star chicken patties than I do about her eating hormone injected, tortured chicken. I do not, however, force my opinions on my daughter. She is allowed to eat real chicken if she wants. I urge you just to try them and see if you like them. You will feel better knowing that your choice is helping to make a difference in the way chicken farms are managed.

Chicken Continued

Unfortunately the sadness doesn't stop with the egg laying hens. The truth is more horrible things go on at "chicken farms." It is truly heartbreaking to see the conditions that the majority of chickens are raised in. Most chickens never see sunlight or have the chance to spread their wings. They are forced to be raised in crammed living quarters with no sunlight. They are given such high amounts of growth hormones so they grow much faster than they would naturally. Since chicken breasts are the most popular part of the chicken they are given growth hormones so their breast grow faster and larger than normal. I have seen videos where a chicken's breast grew so fast that its legs could not support the weight of its body! It is terrible!! The chicken's poor little legs have not grown as fast as the rest of its body therefore it cannot support its weight. Because of the tight living quarters most chickens that collapse die from suffocation because they are unable to move. I urge you to try and learn more about this topic. Knowledge is power. We can make a difference.

Chickens

Warning!!!!! The information contained in this blog may be very disturbing to some. I urge you to educate yourself to the cruel world that goes on behind closed doors in certain meat and poultry companies. It is the hard, sad truth about our food industry. It is time that large manufactures are exposed and we demand changes to be made. It is time for a serious change, a change that you can play a part in. Please join me over the next few weeks as I share the knowledge that I have gained over the past couple of years. I have already shared that I am a vegetarian. I'm not asking you to become one, but I am asking that you help make a difference. Please, for the sake of these poor animals.
I have attached a video for you to watch if you dare. The video describes the conditions in which egg producing hens live in. It is a graphic video but it is the truth. Most people I talk to would rather be ignorant about what happens to these animals than they would to change the way they eat. Being aware of what is going on will help you become a better consumer. It will also help lead to a healthier life. The conditions that these animals live in are horrific, unsanitary, and unhealthy. I will expand more on chickens next week. Today I want to focus this one topic. After watching the video you may want some tips on what types of eggs to buy. In your local super market they offer eggs that are from "cage free, free roaming" chickens. Do not buy eggs that do not have this label on them. Please. Also, check to make sure they are organic and vegetarian feed. That should get us started on our journey. I hope you hang in there with me and become educated so you can make wise decisions for you and your family. Once again, this video is graphic, watch at your own discretion.

Animal Abuse at Iowa Egg Factories

Spiritual Well Being

I'm going to take a side road this evening. I have been focusing on physical health for most of my blog. Tonight I want to share what I think is the most important part of living a healthy life, spiritual well being. I went to my weekly Bible study tonight and began reflecting on the importance of having a healthy and loving relationship with our Creator. Our life cannot be truly healthy without this relationship being right. When our life is crazy and out of control it is so important to know that our loving Heavenly Father is there for us no matter what. Tonight we studied about being like children before the Lord. We can educate ourselves so much that we can "think" ourselves to be spiritually sound. It is only when we truly trust God, like little babies trust their mothers, that we can really experience the relationship that we are designed to have. We are so bombarded these days by this crazy media driven world that we tend to forget the importance of this relationship. God wants us to be like children. We don't have to be the most knowledgeable about the scripture in order for God to love us. He loves us when we can realize that we need His mercy and grace! He wants us to need Him and call to Him for help. My goal for this week is to become more like a child in my relationship with God. I pray that we all understand the importance of this relationship. Nothing else should come in the way of our time with God.

The USDA: Friend or Foe

We have been lead to believe that the USDA is designed to protect us from harmful consumption of meat, poultry, and egg products. This is not necessarily the case. It has been proven that many of the members of the USDA were staff members of meat, poultry, and dairy industries. Do you see a MAJOR conflict of interest there? It is one. There is an enormous amount of corruption with the USDA. Politics lurk everywhere!! The food industry is no exception. One of the big offending companies was a large chicken manufacturer. This company, which I am not going to name, had to pay a fine of $4 million and was giving four years' probation because they got caught doing things for the USDA Secretary that they shouldn't have. Not only did they received punishment for this offense but the USDA Secretary was requested to resign. Many of the higher ups in the USDA have serious ties to the meat, poultry, and dairy industry. Just because a big slab of meat has a big red shiny sticker on it saying "USDA Approved" doesn't mean it has been thoroughly check. Buy local! I recommend not buying meat period but that is for another day and another post!

Eat local produce

One of the most important parts of living a healthy life is to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is important to know where your produce comes from. The movie that I watched "Food Inc." talked about the scary stories about our supermarket fruits and vegetables. Science has truly changed the farming industry. Some of the stuff that the farmers have to deal with is very sad. Many of the large manufacturing companies do not have the most sanitary conditions. I'm sure you have heard of the many recalls that took place a couple of years back on lettuce. The lettuce was contaminated due to cow manure. There was a huge cattle farm (which we will talk about before too long) not far from the fields in which the lettuce grew. Rain would cause the cow manure to wash down into the lettuce fields. In the industry world time is money and no one took the time to inspect the situation. Local farmers are your best bet for truly healthy fruits and vegetables. There are many local farmer's markets in our area.

Exercise

Exercise is an important part of living a healthy life. It is a sad fact that most of the time people do not plan well enough to include a healthy amount of exercise in their lives. It is a well known fact that exercise makes us feel better. When we exercise our body increases the release of endorphins. Endorphins are the chemicals in our brain that makes us feel happy or satisfied. I recently read a book that talked about how important exercise is to our mental health. I believe it whole heartily. After a stressful day nothing makes me feel better than a good workout. I'm not going to lie and say that I'm the most fit person because I'm not. I do try and walk at least 2 miles everyday. I have set a new goal to run in the Azalea Trail next year. When I walk in the evenings I walk some then jog some. I am trying to build up my endurance because I don't have much right now. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful I feel when I get back home after I have pushed myself as hard as I could. I love to release those healthy endorphins. You don't have to be a fitness queen to put on some walking shoes and go for a stroll around your neighborhood. Just do it. (as Nike would say) You will feel so much happier!

Rest

Today I am going to preach to myself a bit. I have been trying to provide some tips to you for staying healthy. Since I am exhausted this week I thought I might write about the importance of rest. We all are super busy these days and if you're like me you aren't getting enough rest. Our bodies need time to rest and relax. I once watched a show about the dangers of lack of sleep. This show compared two types of drivers. The first group of drivers were sleep deprived and the second group of drivers were intoxicated. I was shocked to see that the sleep deprived drivers provided a greater risk to other drivers than the intoxicated drivers did. I am by no means saying it is okay to drink and drive! My point is that we can not function as wonderful as we all think we can if we are not getting enough rest. We all have demanding lives but if we don't take care of our bodies we are no good to anyone else. This week let's all take a day and rest!

Junk food

Junk food is everywhere you look. When you enter into any grocery store or gas station chips, candy bars, sodas, and candy are at your finger tips. Junk food is full of artificial flavors, chemical food colors, toxic preservatives, and other very unhealthy ingredients. Next time you go to grab a candy bar or bag of chips I urge you to look at the back of the package and read the ingredients and daily values listed. The information is a bit disturbing. Instead of reaching for the junk food reach for fruit, vegetables, or some other healthy snack. I suggest buying fruit and cutting it up and storing it in the fridge for easy access. Your body will thank you for removing all the unnecessary chemicals that is consumed while eating junk food. Not to mention all the calories you will not have to work off later.

Kicking the soda habit

Okay, so we all know that soda's are bad for us but we continue to drink them. I think if we all knew what was really inside that can of yummy goodness we would never want one again. First of all there is a ton of sugar in a can of soda. If it's a diet soda there is aspartame (which is horrible in itself). Both are bad for you. Period. End of story. Aspartame has been blamed for a series of health issues. Aspartame has been blamed for arthritis, birth defects, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes. "When methyl alcohol, a component of aspartame, enters your body, it turns into formaldehyde." Yuck! I think we are all aware what large amounts of sugar does to the body.......it makes us gain weight. It is recommended that we drink 64 ounces of water a day. If we drink all that water we won't want any soda. I want to challenge you to go one week without a soda. Drink water instead. It will be difficult at first but it's not impossible. Good luck!! Keep me posted on your progess.

Knowledge is power

Good evening fellow bloggers. My mission for the next several weeks is going to be informing you about the great American food industry. I had the privilege of reading a book a year and a half ago that changed my life forever. The book doesn't have the best title in the world but I would feel wrong if I didn't share it with you. I will have to bleep out some of the title so work with me. My cousin told me that she had just read a book called "Skinny B***h." This book shares some pretty gruesome details about our food industry. I will start by saying I have not eaten a piece of meat since I read this book. After reading this book I became somewhat obsessed about gaining information about what I eat. Shortly after reading this book the movie "Food Inc." came to the Cresent Theater in downtown Mobile. Another source of information that further increased my desire to watch what I eat. I am going to share with you some information that I feel is well worth passing on. I hope you gain some knowledge that will help you make wise decisions about you what you eat. I also hope to encouarge you on your journey to living a healthier life.