The MOON and JUPITER with the CLOUDS in the NIGHT SKY

This video was taken on Thursday, December 20, 2013 at 1:45 a.m. (cst). I just wanted to share this wonderful moment of interaction between the Moon and Jupiter with the Clouds of the Night Sky. Thanks for checking out this video. I hope you enjoy it.

THE STRENGTH OF FORGIVENESS

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

-Mohandas Gandhi

In the past, I have read several books that state that many of the PHYSICAL aches and pains we carry around with us have their roots in the past. Many of us tend to carry this extra weight around (negative situations/ experiences that occurred in the past), right into our present situations. This extra baggage can affect the way we think and act...and it is FORGIVENESS that has become a "HOT NEW WAY" to manage anger, cut stress, and improve HEALTH. 

Research shows that forgiveness can reduce chronic back pain, decrease stress by up to 50 percent, increase energy, and improve mood, sleep, and overall physical vitality.

It is also important to take care of your past with something deeper than relief from physical symptoms. FORGIVING someone for something that occurred in the past does not mean what they did was okay, but instead it means to stop feeling victimized and stop making others responsible for our lives. You must take RESPONSIBILITY and never give anyone the power to determine your HAPPINESS.

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to discover the prisoner was YOU!"

-Susan Brandis Slavin

Hawthorne, J. (2007) Life Lessons. p. 233-235

Make My Life A Little Light

God make my life a little light,

Within the world to glow;

A tiny flame that burneth bright

Wherever I may go.

God make my life a little flower,

That giveth joy to all,

Content to bloom in native bower,

Although is place be small.

God make my life a little staff, 

Whereon the weak may rest,

That so that health and strength I have

May serve my neighbors best.

**Friends and true people give of themselves. Live life like light, like a beautiful flower, and a strong staff. Be true to yourself and to others. RESPECT EVERYONE.

That Little Darkroom Where Negatives Are Developed

FEAR DEFENDING FEAR DEFENDING FEAR DEFENDING FEAR-AND INSIDE: NOTHING...

We tend to avoid all things and thoughts that might produce a sense of fear in our life. FEAR: False Expectations Appearing Real. And for the most part, fear is not real, instead it is our mind imagining something awful will happen. According to Aristotle, Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.

But instead FEAR is one of the great jokes of existence. When people have the courage to move forward and journey into the center of their fear, they find...NOTHING. The terror was only layers and layers of fear, being afraid of itself. 

NOTE TO SELF: FEAR IS THAT LITTLE DARKROOM WHERE NEGATIVES ARE DEVELOPED.

CREATE...LOVE...HOPE

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE... 

There is a story behind everything. How a picture got on your wall, how a scar got on your knee. Sometimes the stories are sweet and simple; sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. That is truly what life is all about...the good and the bad...the pain and the pleasure. You can't experience one without the other, both play a role in shaping who you are and what you'll become. 

DON'T EVER GIVE UP ON YOUR HOPE. Even when it gets dark, the stars come out. 
STAY STRONG!

Follow The Rhythm Within Your Heart

In the book HAPPINESS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS, the author Dennis Prager points out a sure-fire formula for misery: U=I-R, which stands for Unhappiness equals Image-Reality. 

What he means is that the more we have a set idea or image of how something will be, the more we will be disappointed by the reality of what is. For example, we have an image of the way a relationship should be or we have an image of the way our bodies should look like after so many hours in the gym (looking for a different body type from our own), and ours doesn't measure up. 

We have an image of what our lives are supposed to be like by the time we are forty, and we fall short. The more we create an image, the more we get in our way of appreciating what is and the more we set ourselves up for unhappiness.

Do you find yourself falling into this trap? The best way to begin is to recognize it and then change your way of thinking. Life is too short. With honesty, passion and self-respect you can soar beyond the sky. Don't follow what you see, but instead follow the rhythm within your heart. 

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness. Pg. 265.

Give Yourself A Soothing Gift

According to music researcher, Stephen Halpern, Ph.D., certain wind chimes produce harmonious, soothing sounds that can actually lower your breathing and heart rate, increasing calm and contentment. Test it out: Strike a chime a few times and notice if your breath slows as you listen.

Make sure you really embrace the moment and allow yourself to listen to the chime. Make sure your mind is clear and free from noise and stress.  **Give this one moment a gift to yourself. Remember, each moment is special.

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness. Pg. 48.

You Hold The Key

YOU HOLD THE KEY…

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves. BELIEVE WHAT LIVES INSIDE OF YOU…YOU HOLD THE KEY.

Trust Your Heart And Let It Lead You

I thought this blog entry was very appropriate considering that it is "Love Week" and all. :) Many of our actions and feelings come from our heart this week...but it shouldn't be just for this week. You must feel from your heart all the time. So my question to you is...What is your Heart Longing For?

This is a practice adapted from Contentment by Robert A. Johnson and Jerry M. Ruhl. Find a place to sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Now think over the past week. What have you spent your time, energy, and money doing? How has each thing contributed to your happiness or not? Now, continue to breath calmly, turn your attention to your heart and ask, "What is my heart longing for?" Perhaps the answer will pop up immediately; perhaps it will surface later. If you do get an answer right away, compare it to your list of how you've been spending your time and money. Notice how you feel. Is there a way to invest more in what your heart is longing for?

We all have an opportunity to live with our hearts...you must discover what is inside you. Allow your heart to lead you. You must gather all the "stuff" necessary to overcome and succeed in life from THE INSIDE. It is only within you that you are going to find what you need and what really matters...PURPOSE. Everyone fears the unknown and what is truly inside them...DON'T be afraid. Trust your heart and let it lead you. IT IS UP TO YOU TO FIND IT!

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness Boosters. Pg. 203.

Embrace And Share Your Gifts

There are so many gifts I want for you...

I'd like to give you the gift of wisdom, but that is something only the passing years can bring.
Id like to give you the gift of success, but that is something that only has true value if it is earned.
I'd like to give you the gift of happiness, but the path that leads you there is one you must find on your own.

But there is one gift that I can give you, and that is little tokens of encouragement and reassurance, which will give you the courage to find what you are looking for and what you can become. Believe in yourself and the strength that lives inside you. Embrace it and share it with the world. You are one of a kind...believe in the gifts that exist inside you.

A Very SPECIAL Family Holiday 2012

The Love We Give Away Is The Only Love We Keep. And The Best Gifts Are The Memories You Are Making!!!! Here's To The Memories And The Love That Was Celebrated This Christmas (December 25, 2012). And May Everyone Have A Safe And Happy New Years!

Spirit And Love-
DO



P.S. Not Really Sure Why My Cousin's Words Are Not Matching Up With Her Lips At The End Of This Video...We Will Just Say It's MAGIC!!!!

A Lesson In Heart

Overcoming obstacles- "Obstacles cannot crush me; every obstacle yields to stern resolve."
-Leonardo da Vinci

I remember my first year in college as if it were yesterday...the unexpected was probably the hardest for me, but I was excited for the challenge. Here I was...very far away from home...not knowing anyone...playing basketball with strangers...having no time to breath but to play and learn the life of a college athlete. I can tell you it was quite an experience, one that I would never trade for anything. I learned a lot about myself in the four years of my college experience...discovering that I could overcome challenges/obstacles, as long as I didn't give up...believing that those challenges would turn out okay.

I remember in my sophomore year of college, my mom sent me, "A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul." She wrote a wonderful message in the flap of the book...saying to never give up on my dream, that all of us deal with tough situations, that it is what you do about those tough situations that matter, to be strong and to embrace both the good and the bad in order to learn and discover what truly lives inside you. I would like to share a short story from the book that helped me overcome and embrace...a story that I keep close to my heart.

A short story by Stan Frager

A lesson in "heart" is my little 10-year-old daughter, Sarah, who was born with a muscle missing in her foot and wears a brace all the time. She came home one beautiful spring day to tell me she had competed in "field day"-that's where they have lots of races and other competitive events.

Because of her leg support, my mind raced as I tried to think of words of encouragement for my Sarah, things I could say to her about not letting this get her down-things I have heard many famous coaches tell the players when they were faced with defeat-but before I could get a word out, she looked up and said, "Daddy, I won two of the races!"

I couldn't believe it! And then Sarah said, "I had an advantage."

Ahh. I knew it. I thought she must have been given a head start...some kind of physical advantage. But again, before I could say anything, she said, "Daddy, I didn't get a head start...my advantage was I had to try harder!"

That's heart! That's my Sarah.

Canfield, Jack. Hansen, M. Chicken Soup For The Soul. Pg.262.

Trust Your Happiness

Do you, somewhere in the dark recesses of your heart, believe that you don't deserve to be happy? When you are thinking of this question, be honest with yourself. Or that you can't trust happiness because the universe is an unfriendly place out to get you? Is it difficult for you to appreciate what you have because you are afraid of losing it?

The truth is that no one deserves to be happy more than you. And believe it or not, happiness is available to each of us in every single moment, no matter what is happening, if we just make a commitment to it over and over again. Allow yourself to trust in happiness and you will experience an ever flowing stream.

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness. Pg. 273.
Always Thinking Of You Mom :)

Smile Now Cry Later

SMILE NOW CRY LATER… 

Smile- To Act Happy When Everyone Is Around You.

Cry- When You Are All Alone.

Smile- To Put On A Brave Face Each And Every Day.

Cry- It Hurts So Bad...Deep Inside Nobody Knows.

Smile- You Are Trying To Do The Best You Can And You Are Not Giving Up.

Cry- To Have To Fight Day In And Day Out.

Smile- To Have Positive Thoughts For The First Time In A Long Time.

Cry- It Is Still Too Hard To See With All This Pain Deep Within You.

Smile Now Cry Later…Is What Life Is All About. Holding onto life tightly and afraid to let go. Life is short and is full of grief and pain. To put a smiling face on and face what needs to be done and at the same time face your truth- the battle cry and confusion of your unknown. Find out for yourself what is true, so that you are able to face the world with the ability to understand yourself and your purpose in this world.

Pleasure and Pain Exist For The Other. Instead Of Opposites, They Are Complementaries And Each Is A Function Of The Other. If You Had Not Felt Pain, How Can You Distinguish Pleasure?

To Be Whole, Let Yourself Break. To Expand, You Must Shrink. To Strengthen, You Must First Weaken. To Raise Up, You Must Be Knocked Down. You Win By Losing. You Lose By Winning. You Smile By Crying. You Cry By Smiling. 

STAY STRONG!!!

The Will To Overcome...

I always tell my clients they must work hard no matter what. To make sure they do their very best in every situation. To be a positive example to people around them. To inspire people to work hard and to not take the easy road (the road that seems to be traveled on the most). 

To be their own person and to not let anyone stand in their way of fulfilling their dreams and wishes. YOU SET THE TONE! HELP PEOPLE REALIZE THAT THEY ARE NOT FULFILLING THEIR DREAMS AND THAT WHEN YOU WORK HARD AT SOMETHING AND YOU DON'T GIVE UP ON IT...YOU WILL BE A WINNER IN THE END! 

I love it when things are challenging and not easy. I feel it makes me stronger...it shows my will to succeed and to overcome that challenge. We all have it...we can all overcome challenges. You must believe in yourself and your will to overcome. THE WILL TO PUSH...THE WILL TO OVERCOME...OUR WILL/OUR STRENGTH. Never tell yourself it is already to late to change bad habits, negative thinking, or laziness. It is never to late...you are the CAPTAIN OF YOUR SHIP! You must make a change and live by it. 

NEVER STOP LEARNING! YOU SHOULD LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF EACH AND EVERY DAY. Learning brings knowledge, confidence, and power. THE POWER TO OVERCOME ANY BAD SITUATION. THE POWER TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. THE POWER TO LOVE YOURSELF.

Always,

DoFitness

Bless The Day

"Now when I awaken and before I even open my eyes, I thank the bed for a good night's sleep. After all, we have spent the whole night together in comfort. Then with my eyes still closed, I spend about ten minutes just being thankful for all the good in my life, I program my day a bit, affirming that everything will go well and that I will enjoy it all." -Louise Hay

Message to all of you; DO GOOD...start every day with such a beginning!

All The Possibilities For You...

"Remember: Impossible means I'm possible." - SARK

Here are some good tips that may help you when it comes to nutrition and fitness. 

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to eat either high-fiber cereal or an apple before you work out. In a study at Longborough University in England, exercisers who had a meal that contained low-glycemic carbs (from certain fruits as well as from whole grains) three hours before a run were able to keep at it eight minutes longer than those who fueled up with high-glycemic carbs (found in white-flour breads). The study also showed that by doing this you will burn an extra 100 calories, which is due to being able to go longer and harder when you are working out.

Another interesting thing you may want to consider is put a few ice cubes into your water bottle. Researchers from England's University of Birmingham found that cyclists who sipped an icy 40 degree F drink were able to work out seven minutes longer than those who hydrated with a beverage at room temperature. "When your body gets too warm, your brain tells you to stop," says lead author Toby Mundel, Ph.D. "Cold drinks may slow this process." These researchers also found that you are likely to burn an extra 100 calories by doing this.

Here we go again folks...I can not stress enough the importance of eating breakfast. And not just eating a bar or a shake for breakfast but eating a well-balanced breakfast (so that means eating more). Did you know that adults who eat breakfast daily are up to 50% less likely to be obese compared to those who decide not to eat breakfast. When you load up with a balanced breakfast, you will have energy to get through your day, your body will not have to play catch up for the remainder of the day, you will keep your metabolism in check, and your body will be able to perform and give you 100% in all your activities. Another important point I must make is that there is good evidence that an increased intake of vegetables may help you lose weight. To hit your veggie goal (five servings per day), you must start at breakfast. Last but not least, limit your intake of added sugar to 10 grams at breakfast to cut calories. Understand that naturally occurring sugar like lactose in yogurt, does not count. Stay away from high fructose, corn syrup, fructose or dextrose.

ATTENTION LADIES

What is one of the biggest age-related concerns all women face? Yes, you guessed it, the appearance of cellulite. Studies have shown that it's estimated that up to 90% percent of all women develop some cellulite after age 30, and the condition tends to worsen over time. Cellulite can form anywhere on the body, but it's most apt to appear on the back of the thighs.

What is cellulite? Cellulite is actually related to the composition of the skin. The skin and its underlying tissue have three fundamental layers: the top layer is comprised of a cellular-based tissue called the dermis. Its primary purpose is to protect your body from outside contaminants. The middle layer is made up of fibrous connective tissue called superficial fascia. It acts like an internal stocking to support the skin, holding body fat in place. The lower layer is made up of adipose tissue-plain old fat. It insulates the body, pads the internal organs, and provides a source of long-term energy.

It's the role of the superficial fascia that's responsible for the appearance of cellulite. In men, the superficial fascia is arranged in a crisscross pattern that is strong and consistent. Accordingly, fat is contained in a uniform matter subcutaneously (below the skin), leaving the skin surface relatively smooth and supple. In women, however, the superficial fascia tends to be irregular and discontinuous. It has a vertical distribution, forming honey-comb-like patterns beneath the dermis. Hence, when fat accumulates, it pushes up toward the skin's surface in clusters, giving the skin the lumpy, dimpled appearance known as cellulite.

As you age, skin begins to sag and loses it elasticity, and the superficial fascia becomes more and more irregular, thereby losing its ability to contain subcutaneous tissue.

The only real solution to combating cellulite is to undertake a regimented program of targeted exercise. A well-designed intense thigh-training program can help to substantially reduce, if not completely eliminate, any sign of cottage cheese thighs. Lean muscle tone helps smooth underlying fat, making cellulite less evident. And once body fat is reduced to acceptable levels, your thighs will be taut and toned.

The age-related accretion of body fat is largely due to a loss of muscle tissue, as women lose up to 1 percent of their muscle mass each year after the age of 30, and continue to do so throughout the rest of their lives. Muscle is the most metabolically active tissue in the body; the more you have, the more calories you burn. On the flip side, a reduction of muscle progressively slows metabolism, causing a gradual, but steady, increase in body fat.

It should come to no surprise that resistance training is the most important activity in staying lean. It's estimated that for each pound of muscle you add to your body, you burn approximately 40 to 50 additional calories a day AT REST. That means you're burning these calories around the clock-even while you're relaxing on the couch watching TV.

Another important fact is don't forget to stretch...Stretching is the best way to resculpt your body to eliminate the appearance of cellulite. Elongating the muscles and overlying fat decreases the uneven surface appearance of cellulite. Stretching will improve your posture and give you a thinner, smoother contour. Try to stretch on a daily basis...light stretching before you strength/cardio train and moderate stretching after you workout. Also, stretching throughout your day is beneficial for your muscles. It increases blood flow, and it teaches your muscles to become more flexible, which in turn will make you feel better and help you move better.

Since hips and thighs comprise more that a third of your overall lean body mass, it should be apparent how important it is to train them diligently. And ladies that is why I train you so hard on your legs. Why I push you in so many different ways, to the point of extreme fatigue in your lower body. Also, when you perform a strength/shaping exercise followed by an endurance/toning exercise, you will see nothing but successful results. Go intense and keep each movement/motion continuous...don't allow for your muscles to recover during each exercise...FEEL THE BURN! And if it hurts, remember what you are up against. PUSH THROUGH AND DIG DEEP!

www.fitnessRxmag.com
October 2006.

New Found Friends

As a trainer, I don't feel it is right to just focus on the physical parts of a person...the mental/emotional side are extremely important when shaping and building a strong foundation of the body. You can not only focus on the physical and ignore the mental, and many people will attempt to pick one part over the other. THE MIND is a powerful tool and if not trained like the physical part, it can backfire on you, and it will prevent you from succeeding or reaching any goals you may set. For example, say a person wants to lose 10 pounds...physically they are ready for action but mentally> they doubt themselves/deep down they don't think they can do it/they have negative thoughts... The sad thing is that more than likely this person will not be able to reach their goals because their mind has taken control of the situation. 

When setting goals/dreams you never want to use the word BUT...YOU JUST DO IT! Do not allow anything to come in the way of your vision. You have all the tools necessary to succeed and be successful in your journey. Fear, guilt, unworthiness, hurt feelings, anger, and discouragement are really our friends. When you are feeling any of these things in a negative way and you are using these feelings to limit yourself...you must pause for a moment and remember these important points:

1) Fear is the energy to do our best in a new situation.
2) Guilt is the energy for personal change.
3) Unworthiness keeps us on track.
4) Hurt Feelings reminds us how much we care.
5) Anger is the energy for change.
6) Discouragement reveals our courage.

Love it all- the fear, the excitement, the guilt, the power of change, the unworthiness, the worthiness, the hurt feelings, the euphoric feelings, the anger, the movement, the discouragement, the encouragement- it's called LIFE! 

Do It: P. McWilliams (1994) p.137-139

Two Nickels and Five Pennies

"Love conquers all." -Virgil

"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded."
-Maya Angelou

"You must give time to everyone and anyone-even if it's a little thing, do something for others-something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it."
-Albert Schweitzer

Stories are Beings. You invite them to live with you. They'll teach you what they know in return for being a good host. When they're ready to move on, they'll let you know. Then you pass them on to someone else. -A Cree Storyteller

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?"

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied a number of coins in it. "How much is a dish of plain ice cream?" he inquired.

Some people were now waiting for a table and the waitress was a bit impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she said brusquely.

The little boy again counted the coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table, and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and departed. When the waitress came back, she began wiping down the table and then swallowed hard at what she saw. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies-her tip.


Canfield, J. Hansen, M. Chicken Soup For The Soul. Pg. 19.