“Wisdom gained on the Journey”

I realized recently that there are lingering fears that want to pop up from time to time since I first confronted them 17 years ago. I had the hardest time at first wrapping my brain around the idea of not exercising at least a little bit on Sundays. Our weight loss workout schedule had Sunday as a break day.

My daughter, Rebekah,  informed me “It’s your recovery day Mom—take it off!  In fact it will do just the opposite of what you hope to achieve. Not taking a day of recovery will work against you!” Not wanting to be my own worst enemy, I took her advice. I have my day of recovery and the next day? I seem to have more energy for Monday morning boot camp than any other day!

I’ve also learned that if I don’t do it perfectly, just get back up and continue the journey. So I tried a “cheat day”—I’d rather call it an unlimited choices day—the idea of cheating sets ME up for failure in my mind.  Well, my day was really a CHEAT day without limits or controls. Rather than eat the healthier things currently not allowed on my plan, I went right for the chocolate and donuts. Not just one either!  So, what did this tell me? Even on an unlimited eating day I need to keep my eye on my goal of fit and healthy. Will one chocolate stop that? No, but a dozen is definitely detrimental to both my fitness and health goals. Can I eat a chocolate or a donut next time?  I don’t know. I do know my physical addiction to sugar is gone, but the metal/emotional one is still being broken! I look forward to the day that food is my fuel only and not my comfort.

Quilting has been a good exercise for me in maintaining my “reformed perfectionist” status and not going back to my old ways. I started quilting about 9 years ago. My first quilt was for my brother’s first grandson. This was a project of love, because my brother had passed away six years earlier in a tragic motorcycle accident. Incorporated into the quilt was a focal fabric left over from my brother’s childhood pajamas Mom had made for him. I completed the quilt in less than a month and named it after the western theme print “Happy Trails of Memories.”  Was the quilt perfect? Not in construction—not in quilting not in a lot of ways, but it WAS perfect in its intent, its message, its motivation, and its love.  I was genuinely happy with the results. It was the first item opened at the shower and brought tears to all our eyes............

The "perfect" quilt

You see, both of my grand nephew’s grandfathers had passed away before he was born. This quilt was in memory and honor of both of them for their grandson, Kevin.

     Thanks for visiting with this babyboomergrandma, letting me share a bit of my heart and until next time may God richly bless YOU!

"Happy Trails of Memories"