Isn't there a song that talks about worlds colliding? I tried looking it up and found a song that I didn't recognize. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Weepeies come to mind but I couldn't find anything. It might be some obscure Christian musician that I listened to when I was younger... I'm going to need to do some more research on that one...
Anyway... I have been thinking about this idea the last couple of days. We live in many worlds (or maybe it's just me) don't we? Not intentionally but maybe it just naturally happens. At least the things in our lives create these worlds that we live in. We have our family world. And our work world. And our social world. And our church world... etc, etc... It's normal right? I don't see why it wouldn't be normal.
Some people are just fine leaving their worlds separate. Some people don't particularly love all of the worlds they are in but stay in them because it's where God has called them to be to that time in their life. But what happens when you actually love your different worlds and you would love for them to collide but feel like they shouldn't?
I have different worlds. I have my family and friends world. And by friends I mean the people I consider family. I love spending time with them and doing things with them. We are all constantly laughing and just having a good time. Then I have my work world. It's a world where I have made a few very good, close friends that I feel like I can share my life with and be given advice and kindness. Then I have my church world. Which is an amazing world full of support and love and encouragement and above all JESUS, which has been growing an growing over the last few years and I am loving every second of it. I love all of my worlds! I get something amazing from each one and these things are not exclusive to one group or another. They all make up who I am and who I want to be.
But what do you do when you have a party? Or a birthday? First of all, I am not a birthday person. I love celebrating other people... I will do that all day long... but this introvert does not like it when the attention is drawn back on her (why am I a teacher again???). So I don't do birthdays. But if I did a LITTLE thing for my birthday... who would I invite? What would we do? Would all of my worlds respect that I don't like birthdays, I HATE surprises, and am content being mellow for an evening just surrounded by people that I love?
I'm not really sure where I am going with this... it's just something that I was thinking about these last few days. Do you have different worlds? Do you ever wonder what would happen if your worlds collide? I guess the question really isn't about what and how other people react or act when your worlds collide, because you have no control over that right? All you can control is yourself. All you really have control over is being the same person in all of your different circles (probably a better word than worlds) and not putting up a front or a mask to try to fit into different worlds.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Monday, January 23, 2017
And So I March
This weekend was nuts. First the inauguration of a man that many (including myself) believe to be unfit for the office of President. Next the March of millions of women, men, and children around the country attempting to make a statement to the new president and the world that women matter. That people matter. That love matters. Finally as a result of the march, social media, mainstream media, dining room tables, coffee shops, and cocktail parties around the country are posting their opinions and debating the issues and legitimacy of the March. So why not throw in my own two cents about it.
I'll start by saying that I did not march on Saturday, but I wanted to. Well... I was very conflicted about it. It was something that I have been in prayer about for over a month now (since I first heard about the march after the election). The Women's March of Sacramento website used the tagline, "We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families - recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country." Which I 100% agree with. I believe that our rights, our safety, our health, and our families are extremely important and that is absolutely something worth marching for. I would march for that. I believe that change happens when we stand up and let our voices be heard. That's what this country was built on. Standing up for what is important. I will march for that.
Worker's Rights. Equal pay for women in the workplace. Just because some women get paid equally (or even more than some men), doesn't mean that others aren't hurting in that area of their lives. I will march for that.
Ending Violence. Drawing attention to amount of violence and turmoil in our country. The school shootings, the "Black Lives Matter" movement, the attacks against police officers, the attacks in night clubs, hate crimes. Supporting people who are hurting is a fundamental principle of being a Christian. Standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Or better yet, standing with those who will stand up for themselves but need more voices and bodies to make some noise. Just because someone says that "Black Lives Matter" doesn't mean that they do not believe that other lives matter. By supporting a group that feels like they have been ostracized and targeted for centuries, you are not minimizing the other groups that matter too. I will march for that.
Women's healthcare. Access to affordable healthcare services for women. Birth control, AIDS/HIV screenings, care, and prevention, medically accurate sex education. I will march for that.
Immigrant Rights. Civil Rights. Environmental Justice. Disability Rights. LGBTQIA Rights. I will march for that.
What I will not march for is in support of legal abortion across the country.
This one is hard for me. As a Human being and a Christian, I believe all life is sacred and that a life begins as soon as that little heart starts beating in their mother's belly. With that being said, I NEVER would judge someone who has had to make that choice. I would never stand in front of an abortion clinic and tell women who feel like they have no other option that they are going to hell. People make choices all of the time for many different reasons and it is not my job to tell them that they are wrong. It is 100% my job to love them and support them and hopefully help to fix a system that is very broken. I read another blog post (which is really what inspired me to write this one), that said if every church in the country took in one foster child, we would eliminate the foster care system entirely. I'm not sure about the actual statistics on that, but what a radical idea? That if Christians were actually doing what Jesus told them to do, we could actually make a difference that mattered. I will march for that. For Christians to stand up and follow Jesus' teachings (and I include myself in that category). But I cannot march when choosing to end a life is on the agenda.
And I still support those who would and did march. I know many people that I love and respect who showed up on Saturday and I am with you. The March was about so many different things for so many different people. For some if was a protest against the new administration. For others it was about women's rights. For still others it was about immigrant rights, civil rights, and for many it was just about love.
Had I gone, there are many things that I would have been marching for. For me it wasn't about the administration. Although I am disappointed and hesitant of what the future holds for our country with a man like that in charge, I am comforted by the knowledge that Jesus is Lord and HE holds my future! For me, the march was about equality. Equality for women, immigrants, minorities, widows, and orphans in their distress. Treating others with respect and love and finding ways to come together as a country and heal what so many of us have sadly broken. That is what I march for. That's what I hope many of us would march for.
But our march doesn't have to be on Saturday, January 21st, 2017. Our march was yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Our march is in how to raise our families. Our march is in how we treat our coworkers and friends. Our march is in what we stand up for in the day to day when life is hard and when we don't have a million others standing alongside of us. Our march is in our words and our actions. Our march is in treating others with respect and love, even when we do not agree. Our march is in trying to understand others and loving them when and for the times we disagree. Our march is in the choices we make each and everyday. Our march is now. And so I march.
I'll start by saying that I did not march on Saturday, but I wanted to. Well... I was very conflicted about it. It was something that I have been in prayer about for over a month now (since I first heard about the march after the election). The Women's March of Sacramento website used the tagline, "We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families - recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country." Which I 100% agree with. I believe that our rights, our safety, our health, and our families are extremely important and that is absolutely something worth marching for. I would march for that. I believe that change happens when we stand up and let our voices be heard. That's what this country was built on. Standing up for what is important. I will march for that.
Worker's Rights. Equal pay for women in the workplace. Just because some women get paid equally (or even more than some men), doesn't mean that others aren't hurting in that area of their lives. I will march for that.
Ending Violence. Drawing attention to amount of violence and turmoil in our country. The school shootings, the "Black Lives Matter" movement, the attacks against police officers, the attacks in night clubs, hate crimes. Supporting people who are hurting is a fundamental principle of being a Christian. Standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Or better yet, standing with those who will stand up for themselves but need more voices and bodies to make some noise. Just because someone says that "Black Lives Matter" doesn't mean that they do not believe that other lives matter. By supporting a group that feels like they have been ostracized and targeted for centuries, you are not minimizing the other groups that matter too. I will march for that.
Women's healthcare. Access to affordable healthcare services for women. Birth control, AIDS/HIV screenings, care, and prevention, medically accurate sex education. I will march for that.
Immigrant Rights. Civil Rights. Environmental Justice. Disability Rights. LGBTQIA Rights. I will march for that.
What I will not march for is in support of legal abortion across the country.
This one is hard for me. As a Human being and a Christian, I believe all life is sacred and that a life begins as soon as that little heart starts beating in their mother's belly. With that being said, I NEVER would judge someone who has had to make that choice. I would never stand in front of an abortion clinic and tell women who feel like they have no other option that they are going to hell. People make choices all of the time for many different reasons and it is not my job to tell them that they are wrong. It is 100% my job to love them and support them and hopefully help to fix a system that is very broken. I read another blog post (which is really what inspired me to write this one), that said if every church in the country took in one foster child, we would eliminate the foster care system entirely. I'm not sure about the actual statistics on that, but what a radical idea? That if Christians were actually doing what Jesus told them to do, we could actually make a difference that mattered. I will march for that. For Christians to stand up and follow Jesus' teachings (and I include myself in that category). But I cannot march when choosing to end a life is on the agenda.
And I still support those who would and did march. I know many people that I love and respect who showed up on Saturday and I am with you. The March was about so many different things for so many different people. For some if was a protest against the new administration. For others it was about women's rights. For still others it was about immigrant rights, civil rights, and for many it was just about love.
Had I gone, there are many things that I would have been marching for. For me it wasn't about the administration. Although I am disappointed and hesitant of what the future holds for our country with a man like that in charge, I am comforted by the knowledge that Jesus is Lord and HE holds my future! For me, the march was about equality. Equality for women, immigrants, minorities, widows, and orphans in their distress. Treating others with respect and love and finding ways to come together as a country and heal what so many of us have sadly broken. That is what I march for. That's what I hope many of us would march for.
But our march doesn't have to be on Saturday, January 21st, 2017. Our march was yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Our march is in how to raise our families. Our march is in how we treat our coworkers and friends. Our march is in what we stand up for in the day to day when life is hard and when we don't have a million others standing alongside of us. Our march is in our words and our actions. Our march is in treating others with respect and love, even when we do not agree. Our march is in trying to understand others and loving them when and for the times we disagree. Our march is in the choices we make each and everyday. Our march is now. And so I march.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Whole 30 Life
Last August I embarked on one of the most terrifying challenges I have ever tried, the Whole 30 diet. Ok fine... too dramatic... It's really not that bad and it honestly has changed my life. But when you have never been successful at losing weight or maintaining a healthy relationship with food, dramatically changing the way you eat for 30 days can be a little intimidating. Especially being a teacher whose student constantly bring in treats and snacks (Did I mention that I love donuts? Bagels too!). Not to mention, 'Diet' might as well be a bad word (it is 4 letters...).
But despite my skepticism, I went ahead with the Whole 30 diet starting on the first day of school. For those of you who are not familiar with Whole 30, let me lay it out for you.
30 Days:
- No Dairy or Dairy Products
- No legumes (beans, peanuts, etc.)
- No grains (no bread, no recreating bread products with W30 approved materials, no oats, no granola...)
- No Sugar of any kind (no honey, no agave, no stevia, no fake sugars...)
- No alcohol
No big deal right? HA! And all of this I decided to take on on my first day of the new school year. What was I thinking? But I did my research. I bought the book. I spoke with friends who had done Whole 30 in the past. I found a support system. I even had someone who was going to try it with me for a few days. I did my meal prepping and planning and I was off to the races.
The book tells you what you can sort of expect each day of the 30 days and it was all really accurate. The first day was no problem. It was fun trying something new. But the next 9 days are pretty brutal, which I can't even sugar coat for you because no sugar on Whole 30. If you have never detoxed from sugar before, let me tell you... it's pretty awful. Now I have never detoxed from like drugs and stuff before so I don't want to minimize that but some days during the first 10 of Whole 30, it really can feel like you are detoxing from something serious. After the first ten days, you get into a groove, but sometimes find yourself dreaming about non Whole 30 foods. I remember a dream I had where I ordered a bean, rice, cheese, and sour cream burrito and when they brought me my food, I realized that I literally could not eat any part of it (all Whole 30 no no's). After the dreams end, however, about midway through, you hit your stride. They call this stage Tiger's Blood. You feel like you could conquer the world. It was during this stage that I had zero head aches. I was sleeping better than I had every slept in my life. My clothes were fitting better. And my gym workouts were filled with energy.
One of the goals of Whole 30 is to help you isolate things that may have been in your diet for years that you have an intolerance to. The things that you are not allowed to eat are things that people traditionally have intolerances to. As you come off of Whole 30, the idea is to slowly start reintroducing those things back into your diet so that you can determine if you have any intolerances so that you can avoid them. I determined that certain beans make me feel nauseous and excessive amounts of gluten gives me headaches. I also lost 8 pounds in the 30 days and several inches off of my waist.
Since Whole 30, I have kept a fairly Paleo diet (very similar to Whole 30 just with less restrictions). I make my own food way more than I eat out. I have made my lunch everyday for school this year. Overall, since August I have lost around 20 pounds and have gone down one jean size. I am now on my second round of Whole 30 to kick off my year without gluten (see my last post). I am learning more about my relationship with food and focusing on what I put into my body. I'm realizing that I enjoy creating and playing with new recipes and am often excited about what I am going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even when I am not on Whole 30, I find myself reading labels constantly and choosing to buy products with natural ingredients rather than fake stuff.
I can honestly say that Whole 30 has changed my life and I am excited about the prospect of more cycles of Whole 30 to come.
New Year, New Me?
Last year was the first time I ever wrote down New Years resolutions. It wasn't something I did because I just assumed that I wouldn't be able to keep any of them. No one I talked to ever made New Years resolutions so I didn't feel a need to. Last year I made some resolutions. And while I didn't stick with all of them, something interesting happened as I wrote them down. I began to reevaluate my life and my present situations. I evaluated the past year, its ups and its downs, and determined how I wanted the next year to be different. Not only that but I set goals and wrote down ways I could make those things happen. It was an extremely humbling and refreshing experience to say the least.
Did I keep all of my New Years resolutions from last year? Absolutely not. But I did continue to revisit them throughout the year in an effort to remain true to the person I felt God was calling me to be.
For this year I have two resolutions (although, I'm sure if I really got down to it, I could write many more). But I only wrote down two resolutions this year and told other people about it so that they can keep me accountable.
1.) No Gluten for a year! I'll write about it later in another post but I have made some major discoveries in my relationship with food (#Whole30gains) and I am pretty sure I have a minor intolerance to Gluten.
2.) I am going to let my hair grow out for a year (with the exception of a probably necessary minor trim in a couple of months to even out my A-Symmetricalness, not a word but whatevs). I haven't had my hair long in a long time (mostly because I hate it). But I am curious how much it can grow in a year and I am interested in seeing what I can do with it when it gets longer. Pray for me as there might be more complaining about this resolution than there will be about the no gluten thing.
So that's it. And now that it is on the internet I have more people to keep me accountable (honestly just my mom and dad and my sister who still read this thing... but hey, it's something right?)
Did I keep all of my New Years resolutions from last year? Absolutely not. But I did continue to revisit them throughout the year in an effort to remain true to the person I felt God was calling me to be.
For this year I have two resolutions (although, I'm sure if I really got down to it, I could write many more). But I only wrote down two resolutions this year and told other people about it so that they can keep me accountable.
1.) No Gluten for a year! I'll write about it later in another post but I have made some major discoveries in my relationship with food (#Whole30gains) and I am pretty sure I have a minor intolerance to Gluten.
2.) I am going to let my hair grow out for a year (with the exception of a probably necessary minor trim in a couple of months to even out my A-Symmetricalness, not a word but whatevs). I haven't had my hair long in a long time (mostly because I hate it). But I am curious how much it can grow in a year and I am interested in seeing what I can do with it when it gets longer. Pray for me as there might be more complaining about this resolution than there will be about the no gluten thing.
So that's it. And now that it is on the internet I have more people to keep me accountable (honestly just my mom and dad and my sister who still read this thing... but hey, it's something right?)
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