Month: August 2020

Thursday Morning Thought: With everything going on in this world, it came to me, not meaning to take all of it too lightly, we are at a life buffet. As most of you know, I relate everything to everyday life and relatable events to make a point. Remember walking up to a big buffet, whether it is based on American or Chinese theme for the food. Usually, there are separate sections, and a lot of items to choose from or to focus on. We sometimes walk around, slightly overwhelmed about having too much to choose from and how much we need to get from each dish before we fill our plates too full. I thought of how it is seemingly too much for our minds to comprehend while at the same time, our bellies are wanting some of all of it. It becomes harder to focus on an individual dish. With this memory in mind, let’s take it to another level or scenario. This morning, we are all concerned about people and pets in harm’s way with Hurricane Laura and the devastation that has taken place and will continue as it makes its way through the land. Politics has made most of our lives almost intolerable to the point that a wife and husband cannot agree as they have opposing views and we try to listen to have some kind of sanity and have become involved in a lot of prayers. Then there is the violence, the rise to anarchy, the absence of a resolution by sit down civil talks, the rudeness, the cruelty and so much disloyalty and deceit. I haven’t touched the COVID-19 issue that hasn’t gone away and is still so deadly and dangerous. At the same time, is it being overexaggerated? That is another dish on the buffet, what do we choose to believe or choose? I have used a few issues to point out that what we maybe should consider is to back away from the buffet, ask for a menu and read it (research instead), and pick a dish or two to actually focus on and make safe, healthy choices. Save room for a little dessert (family and activity time) but before starting any meal or selection, is to put the focus where it should be, the Blessing for all good things, and help on the difficult things. Digestion will be better for the food of life we have to swallow.

Life can offer us a lot of dishes, choices, and demands. We can choose to eat light and healthy or go for it with a combination of starchy, spicy, sweet, or tart lifestyles. We can overindulge and pay the consequences or use good judgment on the choices we make.

I don’t know many friends and myself included who have not, at one time or other, overindulged at a buffet. It is like, “Here it is, go for it” and we lose our common sense to pick and choose and not overwhelm our bodies with fat saturated, high carbohydrates, and sticky sugary delights.

It is not for me to educate anyone on how to take nibbles at life, but I speak from my own experience. I became healthier when I cut portions, made better choices. I am trying to do that same thing with my mental “diet” but slowing down, consider all options, but deliberate on which are the best dishes of friendship, associations, community, occupational, and personal relationships. Is this worth a little bit of your time to consider all phases, including spiritual appetite?

(C) Copyright 2012-2020 Arline Miller, Sipping Cups of Inspiration with all rights and privileges reserved. Third party material is sourced to original location if known.

Some of you may ask, “Aren’t you an inspirational blogger?” If you do, allow me to elaborate on my thoughts. I have contemplated this thought over the years. I have read inspirational books, articles, social media posts, and have gained temporary insight from each one I have read. I am not advocating we stop reading or watching motivational speakers at all. They add something to our thought process. Bear with me while I move through my thought process which was the “inspiration” behind the title.

Do you remember when you were a child and wanted to achieve a certain goal? It might have been to throw a softball, twirl a baton, ride a bike, run faster than anybody else, etc. Whatever the goal was, it was your personal goal and even though others had mastered this task, it only meant something to you when you accomplished it and could smile knowing you had achieved your goal. This is the element that created the title and let’s dive into this process.

I will share a few thought provoking questions to start this mental process:

1. When you see someone doing something you find exciting, interesting, and/or challenging, what is the first thought going through your mind?
2. When you have a goal, such as weight loss, how much thought do you give it as to how you will obtain your goal?
3. Do you ask questions, research, or go to seminars or watch learning videos for ideas?
4. Do you feel you can accomplish any task you set your mind to undertake?
5. Do you see yourself successful or do you see yourself in a rut and can’t get out?

The reasons I ask these questions is if you can answer them in a positive light, you are there, right there with me, asserting yourself as ‘I can do anything I set my mind to doing.’

Starting with question 1, if you are excited, interested, and/or challenged, you have taken Step 1 in self motivation even if it is an outside source/person who initiates your mental intrigue.

Secondly, if you don’t jump in impulsively on a new goal, as I exampled, weight loss and you spend time with yourself to prepare your mental state to work with you and not against you in this process. It is great to research to find the best and most workable plan for your individual needs. Losing weight is not a one size fits all and your tastes, disciplinary levels, health, and how you perceive yourself in whichever method you choose.

Thirdly, researching, learning and asking questions is essential. When you find ways to achieve any goal, it becomes personal to you. Tweak a plan, try alternate methods, and by all means, go with what is achievable to avoid setting yourself up for failure. Work mentally for success, not failure by exercising positive statement and rewards for progress levels. I have lost almost 40 pounds but I don’t go by a hard goal of 50 or 60 pounds but I take celebration breaks at 10 pound intervals. In other words, set intermediary goals along the way and cheer yourself onward.

The fourth question should be the number 1 question but I didn’t want to throw a monkey wrench in our inspirational journey. ‘I think I can, I think I can, I think I can should be ‘I know I can, I know I can, I know I can! Think of the times when you have made up your mind to do something. What happened? Unless some uncontrollable factor came into play, You Did It. Believing in yourself and not following anyone because they accomplished it is the KEY.

The fifth thought is vital. Look in the mirror and see your hero. This is the person, as a matter of fact, the only person who can change your life, inspire you to the point of action, and maintain a vigilant presence to keep you on track. Say to yourself, I CAN DO THIS! I WANT TO DO THIS! I WILL DO THIS!

I read an article about Cliff Young who at 61 won an UltraMarathon against young runners. He never thought about actually winning, if there was a prize, but he knew he was good at running. Google his story as it will be one of inspiration. I write inspirational posts and blogs and have done my best to motivate others. If you can dream it, it is in your mind to accomplish it. You have already thought of what you want to accomplish, all you have to do is DO IT!

Thanks for reading my blog and allowing me to offer a reason why you have all of the tools to inspire yourself and once you do something you have a desire to accomplish, a greater goal appears…..You want to share it with others.

(C) Copyright 2012-2020 Arline Miller of Sipping Cups of Inspiration, author with all rights and privileges reserved. Third party material is sourced to original location if known, for credit references.