Recording The Journey....

I have talked about working on my health and diet stuff.....but I have hit a glitch where the scale just isn't moving (ok, let's not talk about the cheesecake that was delivered to the house on Sunday...oh baby!!!).  In trying to pull back and take a look at what is going on, one of the things I realized that I have slacked off  on is using the "My Food Diary" .  Now you don't have to use this online program to stay on top of what you are doing....but for me it is huge.  It tracks my foods, the types...if I am getting enough fiber, too much sodium...exercise...the works.  And being able to see it, makes a difference for me.  It is amazing how you can get "amnesia" about what you eat when you don't have a record. If only the body would "forget" and not add it to your thighs!!!  smile 

Having this record truly keeps me on track.  It helps me make better decisions...and even if I am going to eat something that may have more sugar or calories than is really good for me...I can work the rest of the day around that to help minimize the damage.  It truly is about the whole accountability thing and having everything in the open to recognize what you are doing.

So why am on I on this whole accountability thing?   Because in reviewing at how far off you can get when you just aren't looking, reminded me of the difference in my life when I am journaling and doing gratitudes and when I am not.

Several years ago, I started through the book Simple Abundance with a group of friends.  One of the big things I got from this book is trying to daily do a list of gratitudes.  With all the junk that goes on in our lives, it is so easy to get pulled into the muck and mire....walking around with a dark cloud hanging over your head.  Even in the worst of times....there are things in our lives to be grateful for.  When we switch our focus to gratitudes instead of gloom and doom....it really affects how we live our lives and how we treat others....and whether anyone wants to be around us!!!   (smile)

And it is not just the grats....journaling to channel my day..the good and the bad.  To write it down and then go back and look at it from fresh eyes can give me insights to the situation that I might not get otherwise.  Journaling is also a record of our growth....in all areas of our lives.  For me it is a record of answered prayers...at how God was resolving something in my life or that of others in ways that I just couldn't see on my own. 

Many years ago, in a group I had we all journaled through a bible study.  We all learned so much for ourselves and had shared that together.  At the end of it, one of the ladies shared that she was going to go back into her journal and "white out" parts of it.  She didn't want her kids to ever read it and think poorly of herself or her hubby.  I was a bit shocked by this...but then I thought...isn't that what we all do?  We like to whitewash our stories a bit so people will not know just how wacky we can be.  But I think the truth is always more powerful.  Frankly, if all the people we meet through the Bible were perfect, I would just throw in the towel.  Knowing that God uses flawed people is such a source of comfort for me....because it tells me that no matter how I screw it up, He still loves me and can use me for His purposes.

(The Message) Isaiah 30:8....  So go now write all this down.  Put it in a book so that the record will be there to instruct the coming generations....

Find a book that appeals to you....it doesn't have to be the regular journal.  I use a sketch book with blank pages...because I can write, draw, glue in articles or pictures....make it something that truly reflects what I am feeling.  Just make it yours.  And if you don't write every single day...it is ok, the earth will not end!!!

Write it down......

Hugs to you all...

Debbie