STAND OUT!!!

DID YOU KNOW:

The Zebra's Symbolism is Individuality. The zebra's distinctive stripes serves as a protective camouflage against predators, who are often unable to pick an individual out from the herd. For herd members, the stripe patterns, unique to each zebra, have the opposite effect of helping to identify individual zebras. This power animal thus helps us to both maintain our individuality in group settings and helps us to be supportive members of our communities. A third spiritual meaning for the stripes has to do with the integration of opposites, thus enabling us to see a deeper truth.

7 Steps to Daily Change

Step #1: Daily in God’s Word

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” –Romans 12:2

• Our Daily Bread, www.RBC.org
• Put Scripture on 3x5 Cards
• One Year Bible, www.OneYearBible.com

“The Bible was never meant to fill us with head knowledge but to change our lives.” –D.L. Moody

Step #2: Daily Give Thanks and Praise

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

• #1 most popular question: “What is God’s will for my life?” That’s up for YOUR discovery!
• Write 3 things you are grateful for today

Step #3: Daily Pray Without Ceasing

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” –Philippians 4:6

• What do your requests to God reveal about your priorities, goals, desire, and heart?
• Do you have a prayer partner?
• Continually pray Scripture.

Step #4: Daily Confess My Sins and Forgive Others

“Have mercy on me, O God, because of Your unfailing love. Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.” –Psalm 51:1

“Forgiveness is giving up my right to hurt you back.” –Dr. Archibald Hart

Step #5: Daily Surrender My All

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life- your sleeping, eating, going to work and walking around in life- and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.”–Romans 12:1

• Book Resource: Surrender the Heart God Controls, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
• What is God asking you to surrender today?

Step #6: Daily Listen For God’s Voice

“Be still and know that I am God.” –Psalm 46:10

“People in a hurry never have time for recovery. Their minds have little time to meditate and pray so that problems can be put in perspective. In short, people in our age are showing signs of physiological disintegration because we are living at a pace that is too fast for our bodies.” –Dr. Archibald Hart

• Take 5 Minutes to be still with God and Journal your reflections.
• What is God saying to you today?

Step #7: Daily Believe God and SOAR

“Great and mighty things He has for me; things my eyes cannot see.” –Jeremiah 33:3

• Write out your top 3 Spiritual Gifts

“Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself.”

–Leo Tolstoy

• Keep a Spiritual Journal.
• You can become your greatest source of encouragement!
• Key to remember: Who God is, What He has done, and What He is able to do!
• Book Resource- The Life You’ve Always Wanted, by John Ortberg

We are made for divine moments!!

“I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” –Ephesians 3:16-18

*Source: Professional Life Purpose Coaching Worksheets. AACC.

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." -Helen Keller

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." -C.S. Lewis

Body Image Blues, Girls?

Television: Constant flooding of size 0 models and actresses.

Movies: Unrealistic expectations of clothing, relationships, and what 'normal' looks like. Only instead of a 17 inch flat screen TV, images are on the silver screen in all their glory.

Magazines: Page after page of styles, what's fashionable, "How to dress your Curves," and sex, sex, sex.

Family & Friends: probably the biggest competition around. We compare ourselves to our friends, what our mate might expect in our body, or how you "used" to look.

Don't like your nose? Not a Barbie Doll> When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see? Don't like your jean size? Well I can guarantee that 100% of females, and some males are fairly self-conscious about their body image. So what exactly is negative body image? WomensHealth defines,"A woman has a distorted perception of her shape and size, compares her body to others, and feels shame and anxiety about her body. Being unhappy with your body can affect how you think and feel about yourself as a person. A poor body image can lead to emotional distress, low self-esteem, unhealthy dieting habits, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Developing a positive body image and a healthy mental attitude is crucial to a woman's happiness and wellness."

So how do you get back to a positive body image? How can this change your lifestyle and internal dialog? The following 10 Steps to Positive Body Image by Wesleyan University are:

1. Appreciate all that your body can do. Every day your body carries you closer to your

dreams. Celebrate all of the amazing things your body does for you --running, dancing,

breathing, laughing, dreaming, etc.

2. Keep a top-10 list of things you like about yourself -- things that aren’t related to how much

you weigh or what you look like. Read your list often. Add to it as you become aware of

more things to like about you.

3. Remind yourself that “true beauty” is not simply skin-deep. When you feel good about

yourself and who you are, you carry yourself with a sense of confidence, self-acceptance,

and openness that makes you beautiful regardless of whether you physically look like a

supermodel. Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of your body.

4. Look at yourself as a whole person. When you see yourself in a mirror or in your mind,

choose not to focus on specific body parts. See yourself as you want others to see you -- as a

whole person.

5. Surround yourself with positive people. It is easier to feel good about yourself and your

body when you are around others who are supportive and who recognize the importance of

liking yourself just as you naturally are.

6. Shut down those voices in your head that tell you your body is not “right” or that you are a

“bad” person. You can overpower those negative thoughts with positive ones. The next

time you start to tear yourself down, build yourself back up with a few quick affirmations

that work for you.

7. Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you feel good about your body. Work

with your body, not against it.

8. Become a critical viewer of social and media messages. Pay attention to images, slogans, or

attitudes that make you feel bad about yourself or your body. Protest these messages:

write a letter to the advertiser or talk back to the image or message.

9. Do something nice for yourself -- something that lets your body know you appreciate it.

Take a bubble bath, make time for a nap, find a peaceful place outside to relax.

10. Use the time and energy that you might have spent worrying about food, calories, and your

weight to do something to help others. Sometimes reaching out to other people can help

you feel better about yourself and can make a positive change in our world.

References:

Womens Health. (2009). Body Image: Loving Your Body Inside and Out. Retrieved online January 4, 2009 from http://www.womenshealth.gov/bodyImage/

Wesleyan University. (2002). Ten Steps Positive Body Image. Retrieved online January 4, 2009 from http://www.wesleyan.edu/weswell/docs/ed_bodyimage/10%20Steps%20to%20Positive%20Body%20Image.pdf

The Twilight Zone - Kick the Can Video by oɔɹɐɯ - MySpace Video

The Twilight Zone - Kick the Can Video by oɔɹɐɯ - MySpace Video

Great advice to help you stay young, feel more energy, and play more often.

Those Scary New Year's Resolutions!

We've all heard of the yearly tradition of making a New Year's Resolution. There are so many things we should be doing, places we should be going, and habits we need to quit. Whether it's the common resolve of losing weight, quitting smoking, helping or volunteering for the needy, or going back to school, we all have great ideas about where we should be.

So, where should you be? What should you be doing? Your greatest longing or guilt driven goal tells you a lot about yourself. However, recent studies have shown that the act of making a New Year's Resolution can actually be counterproductive to your health. Even though you are vowing to change one or more things about yourself over the next year, the act of holding an unrealistic or realistic expectation could cause a backlash.

BBC (2009) has reported, "...resolutions which focus on issues such as the need to lose weight or job worries create a negative self-image. And if the plans fail to materialize, that could trigger feelings of failure and inadequacy, the charity said. Mind chief executive Paul Farmer said focusing on problems or insecurities can lead to feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem and even mild depression. We chastise ourselves for our perceived shortcomings and set unrealistic goals to change our behavior, so it's not surprising that when we fail to keep resolutions, we end up feeling worse than when we started."

What is the difference between a RESOLUTION and a GOAL?

1. A resolution focuses on a set standard over your life (as seen taking part on New Year's Day). Resolutions are a promise to one's self for self-improvement. Generally, resolutions are only one dimensional consisting of a simple end result resolution. An accountability partner can be essential in the resolution process, however motivation can decrease for both involved unless you set a goal. Which leads us to....

2. A goal is more centered on realistic steps towards a positive direction (whether it be finding a job, losing weight, becoming more compassionate). Goals focus more on baby steps, and analyzing possible obstacles. Don't forget to grab an accountability partner! If you slip up on your journey, your accountability partner can help whip you back into shape and provide encouragement.

BBC suggests "...instead of making a New Year's resolution, think positively about the year to come and what you can achieve." Instead of easily broken resolutions in 2010, BBC suggests:

• Being active - exercise releases endorphins and even a gentle stroll is beneficial for mental well-being.
• Going green - evidence has shown that connecting with nature can boost moods.
• Learn something new - it will keep minds stimulated and give confidence.
• Give back to the community - it can be just as rewarding for you as those you choose to help."

Ultimately, I would suggest that making a resolution or a goal should only happen when you are good and ready to start the process instead of when everyone else tells you to. If you are involved in a dangerous habit or an unhealthy situation, perhaps the advice of others will help motivate and encourage you to change your ways. Let the New Year's be a tradition of renewal, processing, and hope for the future. You are never stuck!

Source:

British Broadcasting Company. (2009). Resolutions Are Bad For Your Health. Retrieved online December 28, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7806776.stm.