Keep the vision in view

The last thing I wanted to do this morning was exercise but I had given myself  a 30 day weight loss challenge and it was just day two!! Day two and I lacked motivation to move!! Then I remembered the reason for the weight loss journey in the first place and this got me off my lazy ****** and back on track.

Sheroes Award night, an annual event organised by the multi talented broadcaster Yemi Adenuga is coming up in October and I want to look my absolute best.

Sheroes 2016

The award night is to celebrate women who inspire,impact and influence in Ireland and beyond in different spheres. Last year was amazing and this year will be more so knowing Aunty Yemi as I do

Yemi Adenuga

I had the perfect dress and have the picture of how I want to look come October 2016 and that "picture" was all the fuel to get me going

Exercise mode

Weight loss experts tell people to have a vision of their anticipated end result for the weight loss journey to be successful. The picture of the end result serves as fuel when you lose motivation, the vision will help you back on track. For me its the silver/black dress in my wardrobe

Hebrews 12: 2 "Looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith". The vision is ahead not behind. It is an onward and forward outlook. So look ahead. Every goal is a future driven event and your vision fuels your goals.
It also pays to write the whys and hows down. These will serve as reminders along the way.
Habakkuk 2:2 "write the vision down; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it".
Don't just envisage the dream run with it!! Bring to life whats on paper! Don't just write it down, Give wings to your dream.
While trying to lose weight for Sheroes night, I am enjoying the daily walk, watching people as they go about their business and getting inspired along the way. These makes it all worth it. Aside your primary motive, as you give expression to your dream you will start to achieve even unidentified lesser goals. Remember its ok to start small and work it up from there. Just never lose sight of the vision. Now time to shed more flabs!

What I wore last year

TIPS TO REMEMBER

• Have a goal
• Picture it
• write it down
• keep it in view
• be committed
• Focus
• Determination
• have a strategy
• have a time frame
• break it into small achievable bits
• run with it
• it wont always be convenient but it will be worth it

No excess baggage allowed

Its already day seven of the new month. How quickly time flies. It seemed just yesterday that we ushered in the new year. I read a rather sad story about a young lady who suddenly died a day  after celebrating the new year with much pomp like everybody else. She reportedly slumped and and died while jogging in the early hours of the morning

Late Nebo Olive

 Stories like this should bring us to our knees and be thankful for mercy and grace. "He does not treat us as our sin deserves or repay us according to our iniquities."Psalm 103:10"

How is it going with the action plan for the year? Travelling  is hot on my list..lol. I love travelling a lot but was not able to do much of it in 2014 for many reasons. Even if I don't make enough international trips(which I plan to) I'll be exploring the historic and heritage centres in Ireland. The only problems I have is packing and unpacking. Today I'll be discussing PACKING.  I simply don't know what to pack and how much to take along. Most times I just end up logging unnecessary stuffs along. I HARDLY UNDER-PACK-excess is my un-doing..lol.

 Fortunately, I've never had to pay for excess luggage but the extra space taken by unwanted clothes affects holiday shopping space. Most of the clothes also end up unworn during the holidays. Why Pack em'?

Excess baggage refers to baggage in excess of the stipulate weight or unnecessary burden.

Every airline has baggage/ luggage restrictions in weight and contents for health and safety purposes which every passenger is mandated to obey. If its over the allocated weight and the passenger insists on taking the luggage along, he or she has to pay for the excess. However certain contents are not allowed on board. It does not matter your station or class, YOU MUST OBEY THE RULES as it applies to everyone (except its a private jet can't help you with that information yet..BE PATIENT).

Photo Credit: Brittany Bradford on Pinterest

Certain emotions, attitudes and relationships stand as excess luggage in a person's life. When you are overwhelmed by situations, people or emotions, you may be carrying what can be labelled as UNNECESSARY BURDENS.  DROP EM'!

Bitterness, strife, anger, regrets, drunkenness, fornication, revelry, gossip e.t.c.  all fall under the unnecessary category. LEAVE THEM BEHIND. These are sinful and unproductive habits that only take up useful space in your life. They cause a person to stagnate and impedes fellowship with God and man. Remember if it is not enhancing you, its a burden. Like my belly fat, LET IT GO

Photo Credit:Lamis Jarrar on pinterest

However there are certain attitudes that you absolutely need for the journey ahead.  Some of these don't come naturally and you can't have too much of them. These include forgiveness, kindness, joy, prosperity, abundance, favour, gentleness e.t.c. YOU CAN'T HAVE TOO MUCH OF THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. "against such things there is no law" Gal 5:23. 

Photo Credit:www.colourbox.com

I got upset with someone on Sunday and almost marred the whole day with a stinking attitude. Mid way driving home, I checked myself, prayed and gladly let the emotion go. I have learnt to check myself with these questions,

•  would I want to be remembered with my present attitude, behaviour and actions? 
• how does my present attitude profit me,others and the kingdom of God.
• is it necessary?
• Does it enhance my relationships with others?
• what example am I setting?
• if I reflect on the days activities, will I be proud of myself?
• is their an alternative reaction to the situation that is not toxic?

Do not make room for unnecessary burdens in your life this year. If you insist, you'll pay for it just as you would excess baggage. If it's necessary let God do the heavy lifting for you "Cast your cares on the lord and He will sustain you" Psalm 55:22.

STRATEGIC PLAN.

• Plan for the journey-set goals.
• take only what is relevant and necessary-dump unnecessary habits.
• seek assistance/advice
• Research read books
• have a life style of prayer

Keeping your focus

Editor's Note: Focus is key to success. It is an indispensable strategy and element if we want to make good  any vision that lies in front of us. It is also a necessary ingredient for any Christian to live an effective and impactful life. Distractions come in different packaging, the responsibility is on you to recognise them for what they are and bin them fast.  The Holy Spirit our helper is likened to the Dove because one of the attributes of this bird is its singular vision. The dove has two eyes but has a single focus. So we need to see with a single vision just like the holy spirit. Concentrate your energy on the work at hand and disregard the wanton distractions. Nehemiah is such an exemplary figure on how to deal with distractions and remaining focused. Sometimes the distraction is found in the past. Learn how to keep focused with this beautiful, well written article by pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Ministries.

Pst Greg laurie

Be Blessed.Read Here

Focus on the right things.

It is so easy to be distracted when mistakes happen especially when you've invested so much in a person or project or have a set mindset  on the outcome of a situation. For some, the initial reaction when things go wrong is to "blow a fuse" or throw a major fuss either covertly or overtly. I was such a major drama queen that I would rummage over seeming bad situation for ages like a rabid dog with a bone until God helped  change my perspective. In the early years when my son was diagnosed with autism, I couldn't see beyond his diagnoses. I focused on what he couldn't do instead of focusing and encouraging his strengths which he had aplenty. For some inexplicable reasons, I couldn't bring my heart to see the beauty that was this gift of mine. This went on until I realised the problem was not my son nor his diagnoses but my perception of the situation.. My view was distorted and I needed to have my minds eye reset. Truth is, things will not always be the way we want but we can choose to dwell on the negatives or simply celebrate the positives no matter how little it might seem. A positive attitude can only stem from a grateful heart.

Some time in July, I organised a programme titled "LAUGH OUT LOUD", Comedy Comes to Church. The turn out was impressive and the guests had a swell time. In fact, the feedback was astounding except for one little glitch-THE DJ. The DJ was crap!! The joy of a successful programme was almost swallowed up by a tiny scratch in my plans. I almost forgot the unbridled laughter and fun that everyone had because of one tiny error that I couldn't help despite my frantic effort...until the Holy Spirit checked my errant thoughts. The bible rightly says "do not be ignorant of the devices of the devil" 2 Cor 2:11. Focusing on the right thing is a habit that can be learnt daily and consciously until it happens spontaneously. It has to be deliberate and it is a choice that only you can make. It is choosing to be joyful no matter the situation.  I have learnt to see life through heaven' lens and I am thankful. No longer do I see Josh through his challenges rather I see a wealth of opportunities waiting to be discovered in that treasure that is my boy.  Focusing on the wrong thing is a strategy of the enemy and don't ever forget that.

My look at the LOL comedy evening. More Pictures coming soon. 

Little distractions

"Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" Hebrews 12:2 "Josh, we are home", I called out as the train pulled into the station. I struggled with my shopping bags while managing to pull Joshua out of the train at the same time. Something wasn't right I thought as I alighted but I couldn’t put my finger to it. I quickly looked around me. I had sat in the last coach so it took a moment to walk to the station building. "Something is definitely wrong I muttered to myself and hurried towards the next available coach. Everything looked as it ought to until I got closer to the station building "What station is this? I asked the traffic controller who was right in front me. "Kildare, what stop are you going to? He asked. "Athy, I answered, quickly jumping back into the train with Josh and my plenty bags. I had gotten off at the wrong stop! I've been taking the Waterford train for the past seven years and consider myself King of the route but today I found myself missing the way. All it took was a simple distraction. I'd been watching a video on my phone and enjoying some good old mother-son bonding time with Joshua that I'd not noted the stations as the train zoomed on. When the train pulled into Kildare, I just assumed it was my expected destination and jumped out into the cold with Joshua. Thank God the train pulled into Kildare station ahead of schedule and had to wait a while if not I would have been stranded and made to wait for the next Waterford bound train which was an hour away. An hour wait isn't too bad you may think but at that time I had a very hungry little boy who couldn't wait to get home to dinner and prayer meeting to get to. Being stranded with a hungry boy wasn't part of my plans for the day. Everything was hey ok until the seemingly harmless on board entertainment became an unwelcome distraction. Lesson Learnt! It takes a simple distraction to lose the plot in 2013.

Even the most carefully laid plans and resolutions can go up in flames if not well adhered to. Sometimes the distractions we allow are harmless enough but the consequences dire. You cheat on a diet once or twice and believe me its hard to get back on track. I've purposed not to be slothful or presumptuous this year. It’s not going to be easy but I'm ready to go the whole nine yards. I'm determined to MAKE IT. Next time I'll leave the entertainment for later and concentrate on the journey. Ecclesiastes 3:1 there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. I was lucky to get back on the train but on some of life's issue it might not be that simple. So take heed this 2013. FOCUS IS THE KEY. KEEP TO THE GOAL. WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT Picture curtesy www.zdnet.com