TIPS

We had our third meeting of TIPS last Saturday in the River Market.  We had so much to share, all of our progress that we had made, the challenges that we faced in our quest to meet our goals, and the rewards we are using to keep us motivated and strong.  As we went around our circle and listened to each other's progress, we gathered strength, insights and compassion.   The honest sharing of spirit makes us stronger and feeds our souls.  Our stories are individual and varied, but they each have a common thread running through, that of determination in trying to be the best that we can be, in spite of whatever obstacles that are crossing our paths.  We leave each meeting with a renewed resolve to stick to our plans and meet our goals, walking a little lighter after each meeting.  I can't wait till our next one and am planning it already.

I have lost 13 pounds since Jan. 10th.  This is a good steady weight loss with healthy eating and minimum exercise.  I plan to increase my exercise when the weather is warmer and I can swim most days.  Last week I sewed a pair of curtains for the entry hall windows.  It probably would have been cheaper to buy them already made, but I'm glad that I did it anyway.  They look pretty good, and are lined.  Then, we stripped the wallpaper off on the walls in one bathroom and painted it, and are in the process of doing another.  My next project is to take our office and make it into a craft room.  It will take some time and a lot of organizing, but it will be a super place to make crafts to sell at the craft fairs in the fall.  My April project will be to completely clean and organize our garage.  That will be a huge project as it has been needing it for quite some time.  I'll have to have a yard sale to rid ourselves of the clutter we've collected.  

These are my house maintenance goals, but I have personal goals also.  I want to be completely organized this year for Christmas, so that we can make this be the best Christmas ever!  I have already started buying stocking stuffers, have a Christmas account started, and have made a Christmas Notebook in which to keep tabs on everything and keep it organized. I want this Christmas to be FUN!  It will take planning, but it will definitely happen.

Next month, I plan to start making some of my Christmas gifts and get a head start on things.

Another of my goals is to write a book, as I usually have plenty to say. lol.  Another goal is to get completely out of debt.  Mark and I are taking a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University 13 week class and are really learning a lot.  I also hope to sell my crafts at five or six craft fairs in the fall.  I have a lot of goals, these are just a few of the ones I have right now.  I plan to keep crossing things off my "TO DO" List, and keep adding to it at the same time.  I plan to create a TIPS website, so that we may offer help to others who want to start their own groups.  In these financial times, people are looking for ways to help themselves lead a better life, without going into debt trying to do it.  There is a wealth of support out there, you just have to reach out and be open to receive it.

Tonight is the last night of February.  It is snowing outside, yet the daffodils are in bloom in the front yard.  Tomorrow is the first day of March, and I am so looking forward to spring.  It is a time of renewal, a time of change, a time of transformations.  Let us each have the strength to make the changes we need to make in ourselves in order to make this a better world for all.

Change is not usually easy...remember the caterpillar and all the transformations he must endure before he becomes a beautiful butterfly.  We may feel a little squeezed at times, but persist on, and your new, beautiful life will emerge.

Taking my power back!

We don't realize when we are investing so much in others, trying to control their lives and make things better, that we are giving our own power away.  I have finally learned recently that I need all of my power to make changes in my own life, to make the transformations that I have dreamed of, that reside in my heart.  When I feel powerless, when I can't control my environment, I get edgy, anxious and just out of sorts.  What I have finally realized is that I DO HAVE CONTROL!  I, and I alone, control  how I feel about things, how I see the world, how I react to others.  I control the choices I make.  No longer am I going to feel helpless and hopeless about certain situations, because I realize now that I do have choices, I can choose to be happy, no situation is forever, things do change, and one makes their own destiny!  For the last few months I have been reminding myself that "you either live your life or life lives you."  It is sinking in, now that I am not spending so much energy thinking of food, I have much more energy to give to creativity and my to do list is growing by leaps and bounds.  Things just keep occurring to me, things that I have not had my eyes open to see.  Life is looking good, spring is just around the corner and the daffodils have their blooms on.  I want to put my bloom on too!

I am learning self care, and it is not one moment too soon.  I have learned to honor and respect myself, and to take good care of this body, mind and soul.  I am eating healthy food, spending more time doing projects that make me feel good, and much less time trying to escape reality by watching mindless tv or other such activities.  I have learned to take time to do a "how are you doing today" check, and a "what are you feeling and needing" today check.  If I take care of my own needs, which are MY responsibility and no one else's, I will feel freer to enjoy family and friends without having unmet expectations.  I am responsible for my own happiness, and I fully intend to do my utmost to live up to my responsibility.  Bring on some comfort, joy and fun, universe!  I am ready!