

Monday, July 6, 2015

A Schoolyard Bully Named "Change".

Change, most agree, is scary.  Those around you will warn you about it, promising, "be careful”. Dread loves company. I remember, like yesterday, my biggest fear—me. That six hundred pound giant scared the hell out of me. He was intensely intimidating; to the point where I couldn't even make eye contact with him.  I avoided my own reflection, only facing it when I absolutely could not avoid it, like at a family event, when someone insists on a group photo, or when saying cheese at the department of motor vehicles.

I actually believed in the misguided perception that if ignored long enough, he’d simply cease to exist. I was counting on God to perform, not just a miracle, but an unsolicited miracle.  That never happened.

Hopelessness fed off my anxiety, denial from my procrastination, and the cycle spun—healthy and satisfied for years--while I became bigger and bigger.   

What is the six hundred pound obstacle in your life?  Is it a habit or an addiction? Maybe you desperately want a better job and fear keeps you from trying. Do you wish to ask that attractive man/woman out but you're afraid of rejection? How about that lift in salary, you just can't bring yourself to ask for? Or maybe, just maybe, you need to make a change--to live!

All strives in life, whether trifling or detrimental, metamorphous, like a school yard bully, developing from the immense authority we give to them, power only we can take away.

Change starts with desire. We must find the courage to break out of our comfort zone and crush those restrictions we have put upon ourselves, that which keeps us lost and stagnate.  When unproductive, we stand no chance of fulfilling God's purpose for our life, and the darker side, the devil if he must have a name, rejoices in the shackles we alone have put upon ourselves.

Don't limit yourself, as I did, break the cycle!

For years, I ignored reality. I sat idle on the couch, using food to feed MY schoolyard bully, while the years passed by in a blur. Don't waste those precious years; stand up to your bully now! Go after your life; find your well deserved happiness. It's out there, waiting.

How? Spend a minute every day, one day at time, rebuilding your confidence. Don't expect to take huge steps, instead, rejoice in the baby steps, celebrate the process of taking back your control--one day at a time! Stop telling yourself you can’t and tell yourself you can! 

Grab your slingshot and sleigh YOUR giant.


Saturday, February 28, 2015

I Was Down--But Not Out!

Where have you been Dan? No blogs in months, it's like you disappeared off the face of the earth. Well there may be some truth in that, and I'm not a guy who likes to make excuses, but sometimes setbacks do crop up. And the end of 2014 was quite a wild ride, a ride that was neither fun nor entertaining. 

Let me explain.

It's seems that when one looses 350 pounds, the body has an adjustment period that can--but not always--lead to some troubles, like kidney stones. Doctors say that the drastic change in diet can cause them to appear, or it's possible, they were always there and the weight loss made them shift.

Doesn't seem fare, does it, that I should work so hard for so long and then be rewarded with pain in my body? That was my sentiments, as I was doubled over with an intense discomfort; I was later told similar to that of child birth. Next thing I know, I'm in the hospital having tubes shoved in places that no man should ever experience.

The culprit, a nine millimeter kidney stone!

I know it isn't easy being a woman, but girls you have my full respect now! Not that you didn't before, but I understand what it's like now to be violated by doctors and the effort it takes to try to forget the whole experience! (eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!) I may have nightmares for some time to come and--I shudder to think of it-- you women do this sort of event EVERY YEAR! Good Lord above, no thank you.  

And if this little story had been the end of my introduction to female life, I would have been very grateful, but it continued with a bladder infection--more common in women, of course, then men!--that turned septic and landed me in the hospital for a week! The doctor said I could have died, and had my angel, Trisha Lee, not insisted I go into the emergency room and instead allowed me to go to bed, as I wanted, I probably wouldn't have awaken that next morning. 

WOW! Sobering news, right?

To make along a story short, and spare you further gruesome details, it took months to get all the kidney stones out of me. Bad news: They just kept coming and coming and coming. Good news:  I survived it and I met some wonderful people, doctors and nurses, over those several months I visited Meredith Medical Center, and I thank them for the kindness and care they provided.

Now, I'm back! And I'm taking on a new adventure with my partner in crime, TL, looking to expand my reach and help many more people. I've started a new YouTube Channel, called "Getting My Life Back," with Dan and Trish. 

The idea, the vision, is to chat about my journey in an in-the-kitchen setting, and together, learn what it takes to live better, healthier, lives. No subject is too big or too small. The coffee will be brewing and we want YOU to come and join us!! 

You can find us here, at Getting My Life Back on YouTube.   Please come and subscribe, and help us reach our goal of 500 members, qualifying us for our own personal URL address, which will allow people to find us easier and quicker!

My hope, as always, is to reach as many folks as possible. Whether you suffer from obesity or other life restricting issues, we can find a way for EVERYONE TO GET THEIR LIFE BACK--TOGETHER.

Trish and I Look forward to seeing you ALL there!