Reaching Out

The last time I was here I made mention that I was going to start my 2^nd round of the P90X program…well uhhhh I didn’t. It was not because I didn’t want to, but we had a major storm and lost our power…really. Because I am a tad bit ummm….anal, I have to start on a Monday so I could have Sunday as a rest day. Anyway, all that to say, there is a reason for everything and I believe the reason it was put on my spirit to walk today, July 31, 2010 was to meet Veronica.

Although I am no longer in Indy, I got out of bed and was ready to walk 3 miles with CWUW (I think that is the length of the canal) at 8 am, Georgia hills and all. As I do whenever I am walking or running outside alone, I take this time to not only exercise my body, but also make sure my Spiritual health is getting exercised too. I take this time to praise my Savior for what He has created and just to engage in the first of many conversations we share during the course of a day. I usually don’t share intimate conversations, but this one is a testimony of how quickly HE will answer your prayers.

I have been guilty of complaining about the attitudes of folks (male and female) here in Atlanta simply because I really haven’t experienced that southern hospitality. I make a point to be extra cheerful to the first 5 people I see and by the time I reach the 4^th or 5^th person, it is no longer an act and I feel really good. Well here in Atlanta it has been a little more difficult to remain cheerful after the 3^rd person because people simply are not very friendly and look at me like “what is wrong with her?” Today, I prayed to God to help me so that I do not become jaded in my views of folks here and to continue with what I have been accustomed to doing, being cheerful. This morning during my walk, I saw a woman in front of me and I started to walk a bit faster to catch up to her. When I finally caught up to her, I said hello and asked her if she walks daily and she said no she is in the gym during the week because of time, but on Saturdays she walks the neighborhood. Introductions were made and we walked together. As we were nearing the end of our walk, we approached her home and I noticed the INDIANA license plates on her vehicles. Not only were we both from Indianapolis but we literally lived across a corn field from each other in Indianapolis and never met.

Long story short…the lesson I learned is don’t let the attitudes of others change the way you are. As my granny used to say “you never know when you are speaking to an angel.” If I would have let my experiences with some folks in Atlanta change my spirit, I would not have enjoyed the company of a very nice lady, and I would not have found a walking partner for my Saturday morning “CWUW Walk.” I am going to continue to be me…cheerful and kind and Reach Out to folks (especially my sistas because we can be so ugly to each other and that is so sad) even if they don’t speak back. Let’s treat each other with respect and kindness, it never hurt anyone to say hello.

Peace, Love and Live Life Well

Butterfly

Many people can and do lead because they want to help others, research suggests http://ping.fm/qds4F

A healthy mind makes a healthy body in teens http://ping.fm/2Et4v

This is my Confession

Ok, I am now relocated to Atlanta, physically that is, so it is time to stop making excuses as to why I am not participating in something that I have come to love, exercise. Yes, I have been jogging…sporadically, and walking on the treadmill, but nothing really worth talking about since completing P90X on May 24^th. I have definitely noticed a change in the way I feel, physically and mentally and I know this is because I have changed up my “medication.”

Although I have continued to eat healthy, meditate, journal, socialize, and even work (CWUW folks, have I covered most of our “dimensions?”) I have neglected exercise the most important “medication” I have used to help battle my depression (this may be why I have been in such a melancholy mood…duh, LaWanda).

At any rate, admitting something is the first step to recovery so I am saying to all that read this, “I, Butterfly have been a slacker when it comes to exercise which has effected my attitude, my mood, and my energy level.…whew!” Now, it is time to get back on track, after all, I know the “high” that comes after a good workout. However, I am not going to jump right back into P90X, I will be doing the Power 90 for the next week and on July 26^th I will re-connect with the evil Tony Horton and 90 days of P90X. Why P90X? Because I actually like it! For those of you who followed me on Facebook my first go round, if you don’t want to read about my progress on FB and this blog, please “hide” me but don’t “unfriend” me, because I still need you…lol

BTW, laugh really loud today and LIVE LIFE WELL!

Peace & Love,

Butterfly

Getting My Rhythm

As the Executive Director of CWUW, I love to see women strive to be healthy and living a balanced life, happiness that suits them and not what the world has determined for them.  We have so much to come up against.  We are told how we should think, look, and believe.  I'm no different than the women CWUW serves.  Daily I approach what it means to be Rhonda and that comes with acceptance.  I am me.  What God has created is a good work so no troubles, no one telling me that I'm less than because I have a little extra weight or that I may approach life in a different way or I may worship differently.   Acceptance of who you are is so important to being healthy. Its been a long journey of that basic step.


Out of the mouths of babes.



I was talking with my daughter about working out. After finally learning how to work with my troubled back, I can hit the gym.  I said to her, "I guess I'll go to the gym now."  She looked at me and said, "That's your problem."   I didn't know what she was talking about but she quickly explained.  She said that my mindset about working out hasn't become a LIFESTYLE but like a schedule meeting.  She said,  you just workout without stating it.  It becomes so natural that you don't even notice it.  She explained that running/jogging  for her is natural because its  a part of basketball which she loves. She has to do it. Its a part of playing.   With all of my wisdom, it finally clicked.  Yes, as Nike says,  "Just do it!"   This part of my health had become a scheduled meeting that I could cancel.  I was still meditating.  I was still making healthy food choices.  I was happy on my job.  I was doing my 7 Dimensions thing except there was no real flow with working out.  But now there is.....and its great.


Its important for me to share my story with the women and men of CWUW because you need to know that its ok to be human.  If you mess up one day, make up for it the next.  Get your rhythm and ride the wave.   I'm here with you as well.   The CWUW Crew, our volunteers, are on similar journeys.   Take your time, read and research, and grow.