by Sharon O | Oct 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
This book was written by a new ‘friend of mine’.
After reading many reviews and chatting with her a few times on line I decided to give her book some attention on this blog site.
It is a part of my ’31 day challenge’ to be real.
I have not read the book as my own copy has not arrived yet
but I do know her story is real.
Her story is true.
Her story is the story of many who pass by us every day.
So much of our society is based on how much weight we carry how much exercise we should be doing or how much food we should consume in a 24 hour time frame.
I find myself thinking about it too every day as I log into my live strong food site.
This book shows us the extreme side of eating disorders and thought processes.
I can relate to some of this because at one point in time I do believe I had a ‘non’ diagnosed eating disorder.
Part of the reason was a blockage next to my stomach which made me nauseous and not wanting to eat and part of it was the ‘need’ to feel invisible.
It wasn’t an obvious thought process for me.
It was subtle and slow moving.
Often it is like that.
Eating disorders can go two ways.
Too much eating or not eating at all.
I can clearly remember one time when our children were little
I had been very sick for many months and not really able to keep food down.
I was sitting across the desk of a nutritionist listening to her say,
“can you eat a piece of toast and drink some tea?” while she took notes on my answer.
Remembering the thought bringing nauseating and queasy feelings to me I told her I could eat a quarter of a piece of toast maybe but to eat the whole piece would be ‘too much’.
During that time frame I drank pots of coffee and ate little food.
I went to a weight loss group only I was there to log in every bite so I could be accountable to them for weight gain.
They were my cheerleaders.
Food is still is not a high priority of mine.
I eat because it keeps me alive.
I don’t eat because I thoroughly enjoy every bite.
I am learning to enjoy it more but in that process I am also learning that too much weight can be a problem.
Too much is just as dangerous as not enough.
Emily presents a down to earth very real portrayal of the disease and it’s dangerous path.
If you can read one book before the end of this year.
Make it this one.
You will gain insight and you will learn to understand what is in the hearts of many young people these days.
May we read her story and pray we can learn to help another in a process like hers.
http://www.chasingsilhouettes.com
by Sharon O | Oct 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
For all of October most of the ‘blog’ world are choosing
to write every day on a challenge called 31 days.
Some are picking a word, some are picking a topic,
some featuring pictures,
it is an individual choice as to what each day or theme would bring for the author.
I am not officially joining that challenge so I created my own.
Today I will start with 31 things about myself you may not know.
1. my favorite time of year is the fall ~ love the cool days and crisp nights
2. my favorite thing to do is go to the beach
3. my height is five foot
4. my weight needs an adjustment
5. my favorite cozy clothes are sweat pants and baggy shirts with soft socks
6. my favorite dessert is breyers heath bar ice cream ~
don’t have it very often.
7. my favorite dinner is fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy ~
don’t have it very often
8. my favorite breakfast is a crunchy homemade waffle with real syrup and real butter
9. my favorite sheets are flannel ~ love a warm cozy bed
10. my favorite way of decorating is with antiques and roses
11. my favorite way to drink coffee is with real half and half cream
12. my favorite way to relax is a dim lit room with little noise
13. my favorite sound is my cat purring next to me as I type
14. my hair is generally cut short and is low maintenance
15. my hair is becoming curly the older I get
16. my dog is a red heeler and my cat is a tortoise shell calico
17. my dislike is over head bright lights
18. my other dislike is rude people
19. my career has been a variety of many different jobs the last one in a pharmacy
20. my most expensive gift for myself was a massage bed the second was diamond earrings
21. my house is clean but not spotless the atmosphere is cozy and comfortable
22. my favorite chip is Frito the next favorite is kettle potato chip with sea salt
23. my favorite music is good old southern gospel with hymns
24. my personality is more introvert than extrovert although I do visit with people I don’t know
25. my blog is three years old and my online world is stretching to meet ‘new online friends’
26. my six grandchildren are my joys each one unique and special to me
27. my Saturday’s are always sleep in days at least until eight am
28. my doctor said my case was unique since he diagnosed my mumps two times in two years
29. my case of shingles triggered the last case of mumps
30. my face was so swollen only a husband would love it
31. my other favorite food is tacos on a hard shell
Well I am sure many things were missed but that is a small grouping
of who this writer is and how you can get to know me better.
by Sharon O | Oct 1, 2012 | Uncategorized
Sometimes we must be willing to walk up the stairs
towards a new ‘direction’ and not really be sure
of what our new life will be like at the top.
We trust and take courage with each step.
We make an effort to grow and believe
in the good of this new ‘phase for our lives’.
We learn to trust others and ourselves.
We begin to hold our head up high and be thankful for the lesson and the courage to begin again.
Not knowing or understanding the challenges that are ahead of us
we choose with each step
to not look back.
Joining Deidra on jumping tandem with the Sunday community.
[photo by Larry O of Oregon]
by Sharon O | Sep 29, 2012 | Uncategorized
This is the time of year for reflection.
Fall always does that to me.
I step back and do deep cleaning and deep thinking.
Not in that order.
It is the moving into a season for giving thanks
that always brings me into a more thoughtful
reflective space.
I value thanksgiving.
Learning to be thankful is a gift we all can give ourselves.
Going for a walk outside and really look around and
see and feel the fresh air blowing against our face.
Giving thanks with a grateful heart is something we can learn
no matter how hard our hearts have been.
As school begins again for many it represents a new direction.
A new place in life and a new season and
a new year that is clean and clear and not filled with clutter.
You know the calendar clutter we put down and wonder why.
Oh and I don’t mean my house clutter goodness if you saw my den or my spare room
we would have quite a chat about my disorganized mess.
I am talking about the clutter that takes space in our hearts or
our heads
not leaving room for reflection on that which is most important.
In prayer sometimes I find myself saying,
“Oh lord I would love a clean ordered beautiful home”.
Then I hear, within a quiet stirring:
“Your home is sufficient… see and remember
those who live in less than what you have.
How they worry and fret over not which store they could shop in
but which river or stream is cleanest to drink out of.”
My grace is sufficient for you.
When I feel myself moving into the complaining room
He always sets my heart right back
to a place of acceptance and thanksgiving and gratitude.
What is most important as we move into a time for reflection
is remembering we have much to be thankful for in this time of
thanksgiving.
I love thanksgiving.
It is not just in November when we sit around a festive table and a well cooked turkey.
It is a place in our heart.
It is a ‘spirit’ we hold onto when we remember to ‘give thanks’.
When we remember to allow ourselves a time for reflection.
by Sharon O | Sep 26, 2012 | Uncategorized
This last weekend I went to a ladies retreat.
The topic was called: ‘living a legacy’.
Not LEAVING a legacy…it was living a legacy.
I loved the concept.
I loved the idea.
To make each and every day full of moments aligned with a living statement
of what I wish to share with others.
Right now ~ this moment ~ this time in my life.
So that…
So that…
if something should ever take place and for some reason
my life is cut short
they will have a visual or an idea of
‘who I was and what I wanted to teach them’.
This is so important.
When we live a legacy we are teaching each and every day.
We are sharing life as we speak positive affirming words.
We are sharing heart to heart conversations with each other.
We are sharing matters of our hearts with one another.
We are learning to be intentional with our words and careful too.
That is my message.
That will always be my message.
BE REAL~ Be truthful~ Be loving and kind to each other.
Love God for that is all that really matters and
always be intentional towards each other
for life is short and we never know when we might miss an opportunity to say we care.
Living a legacy is our calling…
Are you ready to live yours?
