Since September Ive been making lifestyle changes. The most important and dramatic change was that I finally got serious about my relationship with God. Its not something I feel comfortable to freely and openly speak about when Im face-to-face with people- but Im working on it!
Ive also made a change- although reluctantly- to my work schedule. I do my best to not work on the weekends and to leave the office no later than 5:00 pm. In some of my most insane work weeks, I have worked over 80 hours. Im not proud of those long hours and now I really try to optimize my work days. So far Ive managed to keep my work week under 45 hours and Im trying to reduce this even further. Dis-ease creeps in when we try to do too much. God did not create us to do this; even He rested on the seventh day.
Another change was that I committed to making a health change. Ive enlisted the help of several experts and I have changed my diet, exercise regularly, and I am bridging the gaps between body, mind, and soul. As a result, not only do I feel better but people- even strangers- have been commenting about how I look and radiate with happiness and peace.
The dilemma I now face is that as a result of the change in diet and exercise, many of my clothes no longer fit. I realized this as I was doing laundry this afternoon in anticipation of next weekends womans conference that I will be attending and in the necessity to pull out- although grudgingly- warmer clothes from my closet. So I went shopping today for some new outfits and had a great time doing so! Amidst the trying on of clothes in the fitting room, I was engaged in an intensive conversation with the sales clerk. She asked me what I had and if she could get it too. What I had? I have a personal relationship with God and that relationship is freely available to everyone. This has made all the difference in my life.
Ive been loosing weight and getting into better physical shape because of understanding that my body is a temple of God and as such, I need to respect it and take care of it. For it is through my body that I am able to carry out Gods work which at this time, means running after little children at church.
Valerie
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)