First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. Gandhi.
The Finish Line will be worth the Marathon
This post is inspired by a blogger-friend’s journey to lose weight and get healthy.
Hi! Your journey reminds me a lot of my journey (with my husband) to pay off date. We came to our senses one day while sitting in a financial peace class and realized that we had $120,000 of debt (consumer loans, student loans and personal loan). We had an income of $29,000. We were overwhelmed. This class changed our lives. We went from feeling like we were drowning to getting a plan. We also took a scissors to our credit cards. At first we thought it would take 11 years to pay off our debt. Magic started happening. Our incomes went up. Little by little things got better. Today after less than 3 years we have paid $81,000 and have $39,000 to go. There are times we mess up and stray from the budget. There are times we don’t make a debt snowball payment and can only manage minimum loans. But we keep putting one foot in front of the other and I know we will get there. Once you focus on a goal like you and I are – once you get to the end you’ve learned an endurance that few people have. The finish line is going to be worth the marathon.
By Enduring
I don’t know why this Wednesday seems gloomier than other days the past few weeks when I’ve really been very level and happy for weeks.
Maybe it’s because it’s seems too long until the weekend, and it’s my first week of getting up at 5:30 to work out and I’m tired. Maybe it’s because it’s been a few Fridays since I’ve been paid (oh the life of a freelancer). Maybe it’s because, though we’ve come so far in our debt payoff goals (from $120,000 to $39,000 since June of 2010), we still have $39,000 to go. Maybe it’s because it’s been two months since we were actually able to make a debt snowball payment because of unfair taxes (yes, I think it’s unfair to charge unemployment tax – whose bright idea is it to tax the stuffing out of people who are brave and create jobs?). Maybe it’s because I just really wish my best friend Nate was home to work with me (a treat I get a few hours a month – Nate works from home). Maybe it’s because I feel like there is all this creativity inside me and I have about 12 blog post ideas and 4 youtube video ideas and no time to work on them because I’m too busy. Busy doing things I like, yes. I like graphic design. But I like blogging and music soooo much.
Hang in there. Get through this day. I think Wednesday night might be our new date night because Thursday night is one of our gym nights. So hang in there until a fun date night tonight with Nate. There will be good food at home and maybe Season 3 of Psyche. And today some time http://ourlifeinaction.wordpress.com should publish her weekly Wednesday post to make us laugh (see how I’m looking forward to it). 
And some day we will pay off our debt and buy the house at Walden and adopt and have a successful business we work in together and maybe even a successful blogging and youtube enterprise….ok so maybe I’m dreaming but I know some of those things will happen and think all of them could.
I’m not just a dreamer. I’m a dreamer with plans and work ethic.
Happy Wednesday lovely blogger friends.
Irish Lamb Stew on the menu for tonight.
Red wine vinegar, though wine would have been better, onions, garlic, fresh rosemary, lamb, carrots, potatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, beef base, spice in unlabeled jar that smelled good.
I care for your deeply.
There was something little on my mind but I put it out of my mind to offer encouragement to some friends I knew were hurting, some friends I just know online. I got up to go get a second cup of tea and this “thing” came up again with its little bothersome thoughts, but louder than the thoughts a voice that said, “I care for you deeply daughter.” It was like God was speaking directly to me. Telling me that even though there are people in the world going through a lot bigger things than I can imagine, He cares for me and every little issue deeply. It made me feel so good and loved.
Doesn't That Make Life A Story?
Every time I finish reading a book, I open my notebook and copy down sentences and paragraphs that I have liked and underlined. I say underlined because I am not much of a fan of using highlighters in a book; instead I use a pencil and ruler. Sometimes I think that in the world of technology that we are living in this is a waste of time.
This perfectly articulates what has been burning inside of me for months. Awhile ago I put on facebook,"The minute you begin to think positive thoughts, hope and faith-filled thoughts, the world becomes a better place."
Walk in the Snow
Morning walk in the crisp air and fresh snow was better than a cup of coffee. I think Holly (my Berner) agrees.
Quinoa with celery and french cut green beans
I threw the green beans in right at the end because I didn’t want them cooked limp. The rest is just quinoa, celery, chicken broth from the grocery store and some water and chicken base.
Easy. And nice and lightly cooked, not too mushy.
So easy to throw together when I’m working here at home.
Love does not come in the packaging that you’re expecting
from Real Simple:
If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self that love is not going to come in the package that you’re expecting. For ages I was set on finding a tall, handsome who liked to salsa dance and to listen to Spanish music. But as soon as I let go of these shallow desires, I met a man who makes me feel safe, puts me first, and often surprises me with romantic gestures. He doesn’t speak a word of Spanish and prefers country music, but couldn’t love him more.
Quoted from: Lisa Thompson
Hutington Beach, California
Thank you for calling me
When I realized the house was completely still and there was nothing tugging at me one way or the other.
When it was as quiet inside of me as it was outside
When all the problems and mayhem of this world did not come to the deepest place of my heart
But You were nearer still.
The quietness is something I do not understand.
But I take it.
I take peace.
For it is by rejecting this peace
That men are led to worry, complain, hate, fear, become bitter, kill.
For we are so small and powerless,
Yet not insignificant.
The smallest part of the gear on a whole massive configuration of wheels that control the world
Not the center
Not the Ruler
But never forgotten.
Never forsaken.
Never alone.
