Borrowed words of wisdom

This week I am going to borrow an article from a weekly email I get from an excellent life coach. She wasn’t specifically talking about weight loss but I feel the concepts in this article are very pertinent to weight loss as well as living a goal focused life and a new lifestyle.

This week has been a week of challenge for me. I have had to step back and refocus often this week. I have had to re-assess my dreams, desires and wishes in regards to weight loss, time tables, eating habits, ultimate weight goals and beyond reaching them. This doesn’t just encompass my food intake, exercise routines or weight itself. This encompasses every avenue of my life. This touches how I treat others, how I relate to my friends and family and how I accept myself and my downfalls and successes. That is why I think this article is so good for me and hopefully you will be able to pull something out of it too.

You will look for the title below: This Week's Topic: There is a way! 5 steps to work around an obstacle. It is about middle of the page. The author of this article allows it to be used as long as you forward the entire email. I found encouragement from this article. It reinforced the need to look deep inside; it wouldn’t be easy or quick. It is a matter of finding the way when there seems to be no way. Weight loss surgery was exactly that for me. It was the way, but I had to accept what it entailed. It is a life long journey not a quick fix. It is hard work, not the “easy way out”. It is mental, emotional and physical. Just like many things in life that are worth the price.

I also found some encouragement this week from others. I saw a gal in a store who hadn’t seen me since before surgery. She said, “WOW! You have a glow I haven’t seen in years.” She had heard I had a procedure and was doing well. I told her I haven’t had this glow for at least 20 years. I have been in pain at least that long and for the first time I have virtually no pain and I have so much energy and it feels good.

I hope this article will encourage you this week. Until next week, I wish you the best in your forward motion in life.
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This Week's Topic: There is a way! 5 steps to work around an obstacle

Dear Friend,

In what area of your life do you feel like you've hit a road block and it is discouraging you? Perhaps it is in your work or finances, in a relationship or responsibility, your health or a weight loss challenge. Whether personally or professionally, we all face points on our path where the answers don't come soon enough. It is during these times when you must tap into a spirit of determination. If you don't, you may see your dreams wash away.

This type of determination is epitomized by a group of friends trying to help their paralyzed friend in the New Testament:

"Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." - Luke 5:17 - 19

"...He [Jesus]" said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God." - Luke 5:24-25

These men didn't see the crowds surrounding the house as a road block. They knew their answer was inside, but they also knew they would not be able to access their answer the quick and easy way. It looked like there was no way in, but they determined to find a way!

This week, I challenge you to get determined. In our fast-paced culture, could it be that we have become so used to getting what we want quickly and easily that the virtues of determination, patience and perseverance have suffered? Authentic confidence says, "I may not know how to get it right now, but there is a way, and I am determined to find it." You may have to work harder than you thought. You may have to be creative. You may have to step outside of your comfort zone and do it differently than everyone around you. But when it comes to your destiny, there is always a way to work around the obstacles. In fact, the obstacles are often there so that you can develop the character traits you need to succeed in the next phase of your life.

Consider this five-step process to working around the perceived obstacles in your life:

1. Make a decision to find a way.
Determination begins with a decision to succeed, whatever it takes. Set your intention to succeed. Commit to it fully. Be confident. Get clear about what it is that you want or need, and focus keenly on it. The people in the scripture above wanted healing for their friend - and they made a decision to do whatever it took to get it. Get clear about what you are aiming for, then refuse to allow distractions to steal your focus. What is the real goal you need to be focused on?

2. Manage your expectations.
Don't expect success to come "fast and easy." It is possible that your answer may come quickly and easily, but don't count on it. More often than not, success comes when you persevere, persist and work at it over time. Be prepared for the long haul.

3. Stop focusing on the obstacle and start looking for an opportunity.
The men with the paralyzed friend weren't focused on the crowds swarmed around the house. They didn't try to push their way through. They realized that their real problem was not the crowd. The real problem was that their friend needed to be healed and a miracle healer was inside, if they could just get to Him. Seeing that the traditional way of getting into the house would not work, they focused on finding another way. When it comes to overcoming the obstacle to achieve your goal, what options haven't you considered? Write them all down. If you have trouble identifying options, brainstorm with a wise and trusted friend, pray and listen for options that are different from what you've previously considered.

4. Be creative.
When it looks like there is no opportunity, create one. Research your options. Be willing to fail. Blaze a trail if necessary. There is a way!

5. Do what you have to do.
Be willing to do the thing that's hard. Anything truly worth having is worth working for. Being determined means doing what you have to do. Complaining won't change things. Feeling sorry for yourself won't either. Dig your heels in and be determined! On the other side of your obstacle, your prize awaits you.

My challenge to you this week:
Make a decision to find a way! Then take each of these five steps towards your goal.

Journaling assignment:
What is your true goal? What is your biggest obstacle to achieving your true goal? At the core of the matter, why is this keeping you from your goal? What alternatives would get you to your goal? If you can't think of any, who could help you brainstorm?

Lastly, by working around this obstacle, what character trait do you think God is trying to help you develop?Until next time ...Warm wishes,

P.S. Encourage your friends and family by sharing this newsletter and invite others to subscribe!

Just send them to www.valorieburton.com, where they can enter their email address on the home page.

Valorie Burton, a life coach and speaker, is the author of Listen to Your Life, Rich Minds, Rich Rewards, What's Really Holding You Back?, Why Not You? and her latest, How Did I Get So Busy? The 28-Day Plan to Free Your Time, Reclaim Your Schedule and Reconnect with What Matters Most. Subscribe to her FREE, inspirational e-newsletter at www.valorieburton.com.

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“Every Life Full of Giggles Makes the Age Lines Fall Off"
~Marilyn Meberg~