Tag: Health

Eating Healthy on a budget

On By Naty MatosIn ArticlesLeave a comment

Eating healthy on a budget is not only possible but can also be a rewarding and sustainable lifestyle choice. Here are some practical tips to help you make nutritious choices without breaking the bank:

1. Plan Your Meals:

   – Start by planning your meals for the week. This allows you to create a shopping list with specific ingredients, helping you avoid impulse purchases.

When you start planning, start with making an inventory of what you already have in you home. That way you will spend less in ingredients.

2. Buy in Bulk:

   – Purchase non-perishable items in bulk. Staples like rice, quinoa, lentils, and oats are not only affordable but can also serve as the foundation for many healthy meals.

Non food items are also good to buy in bulk, especially when on sale, that way you have those at hand when needed and not have to purchase them at regular price later.

3. Seasonal and Local Produce:

   – Opt for seasonal fruits and vegetables as they tend to be more affordable and fresher. Consider buying local produce from farmers’ markets or joining a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program for cost-effective options.

4. Frozen Fruits and Vegetables:

   – Frozen fruits and vegetables are often less expensive than fresh ones and have a longer shelf life. They are just as nutritious and can be a convenient addition to smoothies, soups, and stir-fries.

5. Generic Brands:

   – Choose generic or store brands for certain items. Often, these products are just as high in quality as name brands but come at a lower price.

6. Cook in Batches:

   – Prepare meals in larger quantities and freeze individual portions. This not only saves time but also reduces the temptation to order takeout when you’re too tired to cook.

7. Limit Processed Foods:

   – Processed and pre-packaged foods may seem convenient, but they are often more expensive and less healthy. Opt for whole foods that you can prepare at home.

8. Explore Affordable Protein Sources:

   – Consider alternative protein sources that are budget-friendly, such as beans, lentils, eggs, and canned tuna. These options are not only nutritious but also versatile in various recipes.

9. Compare Prices:

   – Take the time to compare prices at different grocery stores. You may find that certain items are more affordable at one store over another. Now I know this one can be time consuming. My next post will be dedicated to this topic.

10. Minimize Food Waste:

    – Make an effort to use all the food you purchase to minimize waste. Plan meals that use ingredients in multiple dishes and consider composting to reduce your environmental impact.

11. DIY Snacks:

    – Instead of buying expensive pre-packaged snacks, make your own. Trail mix, yogurt with fresh fruit, and homemade granola bars are cost-effective alternatives.

12. Drink Water:

    – Choose water over sugary drinks or sodas. Not only is water healthier, but it’s also more budget friendly.

Remember, eating healthy on a budget is about making informed choices and prioritizing whole, nutrient-dense foods. By planning ahead, being mindful of your choices, and incorporating these tips, you can maintain a nutritious diet without straining your finances.

Check our Mindful Eating Challenge in the new book 15 Day Challenge to a Stronger You!

Healthy Mindful Eating Challenge

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

Embarking on the Healthy Mindful Eating Challenge begins with acknowledging the profound importance of nourishing our bodies. For individuals like me, grappling with insulin resistance, this awareness becomes a powerful driving force. Our bodies are not generic; they are unique temples, deserving of care and respect tailored to their individual needs. This challenge prompts us to explore the intricate relationship between our bodies and the food we consume, moving beyond generic dietary advice and into personalized, self-aware choices.

Embrace Adventure on Your Plate

Transitioning to a healthier lifestyle doesn’t mean bidding farewell to culinary delights. Instead, it’s an invitation to embrace adventure on your plate. Often, our aversions are rooted in preconceived notions or unfavorable past experiences. I swore off Brussels sprouts until my friend Jill worked her culinary magic. Now let’s be honest, I only eat hers, but I can’t say that I don’t eat the anymore. Let this challenge be an opportunity to break free from culinary prejudices.. Be open-minded, savor the diverse flavors the world has to offer, and let your taste buds embark on a journey of discovery.

Reading Between the Lines of Nutrition

While I don’t hold a professional title in the realm of nutrition, my journey has been one of hands-on exploration and research. The golden rule here is to read the ingredients. The simplicity of this advice belies its significance. If you find yourself struggling to spell or pronounce the ingredients, it’s a clear indicator that your body might have difficulty processing them. Our bodies are finely tuned machines, and they thrive on natural, recognizable substances. By being mindful of what we put into our bodies, we can make informed choices that resonate with our well-being.

Balancing Act with Organic Choices: Realities of Health and Finance

Organic choices often carry a health-conscious appeal, but two realities need acknowledgment. First, not everything labeled organic is necessarily good for us or genuinely organic. Second, the financial aspect can be prohibitive. Balancing health aspirations with budget constraints is a real challenge. However, within this challenge, we aim to explore practical ways to remain health-conscious without creating a gaping hole in our pockets. It’s about finding that sweet spot where health and finance intersect harmoniously.

Meal Prep Magic

One of the most impactful practices I’ve incorporated is meal prepping. It’s not just a strategy; it’s a culinary ritual that transformed my eating habits. The concept is simple: plan your meals, create a shopping list, stick to that list, and dedicate a day to cooking for the week. It may seem daunting initially, but once you embrace the routine, it becomes surprisingly enjoyable. My personal testimony lies in the positive changes witnessed in my mother’s health. With limited mobility, she experienced normalized blood sugar levels and a 15-pound weight loss in the first six months, all without incorporating exercise. The key here is preparation — a crucial component that ensures you make mindful choices even when faced with the hungry impulse to grab something fast.

Portion Control: A Sustainable Shift in Eating Habits

Portion control isn’t about deprivation; it’s a sustainable shift in our eating habits. I once had a colleague who, despite being vegetarian, struggled with excess weight. Her revelation was simple but profound: “Eating two pounds of pasta is going to affect you as much as eating fried chicken.” It’s a reminder that even when consuming healthy foods, moderation is the key. Portion control is a gradual process, not an overnight achievement. Attempting to go cold turkey often leads to the dieting mentality. Instead, the focus should be on making subtle yet significant changes that eventually become an integral part of our lifestyle.

Small Shifts, Big Impact: My Milk Journey

The journey to healthier living is marked by small, intentional shifts. Reflecting on my own experience with milk consumption, I started by transitioning from whole milk to 2%. This shift alone made a noticeable difference. Later, I discovered that moving to 1% not only retained the taste but also slashed 50% of the fat content. It was a revelation that exemplifies how seemingly minor changes can yield significant benefits. The key takeaway is progress over perfection. My journey didn’t end with skim milk, as I found the taste unappealing. However, when I sought to further reduce calorie intake, I explored non-dairy alternatives. While I don’t consume non-dairy milk as I did with traditional milk, it served as a steppingstone to gradually reduce my overall milk consumption.

Fuel Your Journey Correctly: Aligning Choices with Purpose

As we navigate the complexities of life, each of us is on a unique journey with a distinct purpose. The choices we make regarding our health play a pivotal role in shaping this journey. Our ultimate goal is to hear the words “Well done, faithful servant” upon completing our earthly mission. Neglecting our bodies by not fueling them correctly can inadvertently shorten our journey. The Healthy Mindful Eating Challenge encourages us to pray for wisdom and strength as we embark on this transformative journey. It’s a call to align our choices with our mission, acknowledging that our bodies are the vessels through which we fulfill our purpose.

Pray, Reflect, and Join the Challenge: A Holistic Approach to Wellness

In conclusion, let’s take a moment to pause, reflect, and pray for the wisdom and strength needed to navigate this challenge. If you feel compelled, consider joining us on this journey to a stronger you. The Healthy Mindful Eating Challenge isn’t merely a dietary shift; it’s a holistic approach to wellness, incorporating physical health, spiritual reflection, and intentional choices. Together, let’s embark on this transformative adventure.

Enough With The Horror Stories

On By Naty MatosIn ArticlesLeave a comment

I’m sure that just like me; many of my sisters out there have heard horror stories about mammograms. I don’t know why as horrorwomen we have the tendency to create horror stories about those things that relate to our bodies. We heard horror stories about how our menstrual cycle was going to be. We heard the horror stories about our wedding night, child birth and many other things. And in a latter part of our life we have heard those same stories about our preventative checkup for breast cancer.

I admit that the horror stories kept me away from getting tested for a couple of years. I would go to my annual checkup. The doctor would give the order; the nurse would schedule my appointment and then I would miss it. Ironically I’ve been supporting the Breast Cancer Awareness Cause for about the same amount of time that I’ve been avoiding getting tested.

This year, a coworker who has promised to share her story with us later in the month, went through the experience of breast cancer. She used to have this pretty long beautiful hair and I had not seen her in a while. We ran into each other in the bathroom and I felt confident enough to ask her if something had happened. She briefly told me her story. I will not anticipate the details of her story, but it was preventative testing what help detect her cancer at an earlier stage. I told her about my fears and how I had been avoiding it. She encouraged me to get tested and I promised her that this year I would.

To be honest I had already missed the original date of my test. So, I called my doctor’s office and reschedule. The morning of the test I didn’t want to get out of the bed, but I decided to get up and go. I was late to my appointment. I think I secretly wanted for them to tell me that they couldn’t see me, but that was not the case. I was finally in my gown waiting to be called into the testing room and in my mind I was thinking Should I just get dressed and leave. Nah, I made it this far.

no more excusesLet me tell you that I felt like a fool after the testing was done. The tech told me that it is true that in the past, this was a painful test, but that technology has advance and now everything is done digitally. The whole process takes about 15 minutes. No pain, no discomfort, no horror stories to share. It was almost like taking a chest x-ray.

As soon as I left the office I thought of writing this post. I know that someone out there has been running from this the same way I did. If the blessing that God has given me through this forum saves one life, it is worth telling my story. If like me, you’ve been running to get tested. Stop listening to the horror stories. I’m living proof that it was the greatest experience ever and that next year I will not hesitate to go.

Stay Healthy

40

Mental Illness is Real

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts2 Comments

After the events of last week, the conversation about laws regarding access to weapons and mental health have intensified. One of the things that I’ve learned, being involved in the mental health field is that, the stigma of mental health and the issues some people have to access services, influences in having a larger number of untreated people with mental health conditions.

I wrote an article last year regarding “Faith and Mental Health”. One of the things that I’ve encountered as a Christian is that there are people who reject medical care for their mental health symptoms because they feel that it shows a lack of faith or just spiritual problems. I don’t deny that some people may be dealing with spiritual issues that cause their problems, but that doesn’t deny any mental health situations that they may be experiencing.

At the time that I’m writing this, it hasn’t been confirmed that the person who committed the horrible murders in Connecticut had mental health issues. My take on that is this, not all mental health patients are violent. At the same time I don’t think anyone in their right mind would enter a public place to kill innocent people, especially children.

I’ve heard many people saying that this incident is worse because it’s so close to the holidays. Believe it or not, the holidays can be a trigger, for some, unexpected reactions from those dealing with mental illness. The holidays are not a happy time for everyone. The stress of memories of past unpleasant prior holidays, family problems, financial issues, unemployment or something as simple as the weather changes during the winter, can be triggers to increase symptoms on someone with untreated mental illness.

From the spiritual standpoint, I believe that the enemy preys on those weaker during these times to ruin the celebration of the birth of Jesus. He knows he has been defeated and our victory celebration doesn’t sit well with him.

Revelations 12: 9-11

“And the great dragon was thrown down, the ancient serpent, the one who is called the devil and Satan, the one who deceives the whole inhabited earth – he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers was thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life up to death.”

Instead of judging those around you with possible mental illness, educate yourself. There are many mental diagnoses, but the most common ones are depression and anxiety. If you or someone close to you presents these symptoms, seek help or encourage to seek help.

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you;

my peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Please take care of yourselves and each other. Blessings

Get your copy of Season’s Greetings from Amelia. This great novella brings mystery, suspense and the best stocking stuffer for your favorite e-reader. You can get your copy for just 0.99 cents on Kindle, Smashwords and Nook only during the month of December.

season (1)

Towdah: A Cancer Survivor’s Song of Hope

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts1 Comment

By Sheryl Holmes

“Jumping up and jumping down, screaming NO(!) inside my heart,…atoms crashing one by one, frozen in the moment; releasing — rushing — over the cliff…. Let this not be true oh God, Let this not be true!”
These are excerpts of word phrases from the lyrics of a song I wrote in attempt to describe the nauseating and shocking state of being when I was given the diagnosis of cancer.
Universal to all are the emotions and the bewilderment.  The anger and the fear.  Is there anyone who does not shake their fist at God for a moment and demand to know, “WHY ME?”  I sure did.  Even after following the Lord for twenty-plus years, I stood indignant before God.
Weeping an gnashing my teeth, I drooled on my pillow as I bit it in frustration — silently wailing and heaving.  Voiceless cries filled the night.  I wrestled with God.
In the morning, I was weary; weariness gave up the weeping and the gnashing and the cries. Through the gentle reminder of a friend, came my answer to my prideful questioning of the Lord.  I was asking the wrong question….not “why me?” — but I should’ve been asking “Why not me.”
Jesus had already done everything for me — “…while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8b
“Towdah: A Cancer Survivor’s Song of Hope” is my book.  It is filled with hard questions like, “Why Me?” — “Is Salvation enough?” — “Would God stand by me? — by His promises? — Would He spare me of stage three cancer?” — “Am I going to die?”  I weave these hard grappling’s throughout my book and sprinkle in childhood reminiscing, humor, and poignant studies on life as I have experienced it as a home schooling mother of nine children and a wife of 27 years.
Treatment was harsh and my body produced every side effect that was predicted: mouth sores, fevers, aches in the joints and muscles, nerve issues that even plagued me today 24/7.  Radiation annihilated my feminine parts and forced me right through menopause reeking havoc on my relationship with my husband.
Yet, God’s mercy came in abundance.  His grace and compassion came in various forms of support.
Treatment ended.  My cancer is nonexistent at this time.  One year out of treatment I struggle with what I am calling the second phase of recovery: grieving loss.  I have been internalizing my losses – loss of who I was before I had cancer.  I am not the same person physically, emotionally, or spiritually.  I have a “new normal” and I do not really  like it… depression lurks in the doorway of my life.
So where do I  go now?
In the scriptures, Paul tells us:  “Whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord….”   My profits, who I was and what I had accomplished before are now lost.  But, in giving the old me up, I am able to draw closer to my Lord and rely on Him for filling my losses with the gains of knowing Him deeper and deeper. The eyes of my heart have been opened.  My reaction is thanksgiving and praise for who God is.  I look to see His grace poured into my day — every day.  He IS there!  I call these God Sparkles and I share them often on my Face Book page and in my blog writings.
Fellow survivor of this difficult life – come join me in resting in HOPE; no matter your circumstance there is always a song of hope to sing!  Check me out at: alwaysasongofhope.com — signup to receive my blog postings and LIKE me!
I also have been nominated on Yahoo’s online magazine as “A Woman Who Shines” — please vote for me by Oct 26th at:bit.ly/SherylHolmes and I will have the chance at winning a sweet prize and have a featured  article spot in their magazine(!).


My book:  “Towdah: A Cancer Survivor’s Song of Hope” is available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble online for a mere $3.99 for ebook and $9.99 for paperbacks.  Though my story is of my battle with cancer, it has a universal message of striving and persevering in HOPE through the pains and agony of life and all the trials we face in this world.
May Grace and Peace abound to dear reader friend.  What God has done for me — He will do for you in a way that is unique to your being and life.
He’s just THAT kind of God!

From Honeymooner to Survivor

On By Naty MatosIn ArticlesLeave a comment

Today at The Rising Muse we have the story of author and breast cancer survivor Katherine Bown. Katherine found out that out that she had breast cancer during her honeymoon. Let’s read her story:

In December 2008 I got married when my life was great; I had a brilliant job as a Marketing Communications Manager, I ran website, I had a busy social life – basically I thrived off being under pressure.

Ten days later on my honeymoon I found a lump on my breast, then got diagnosed with an aggressive (grade 3) tumor ( breast cancer). I then spent the 1st year of my marriage going through 18 weeks of chemotherapy and 3 weeks radiotherapy.

When I finished treatment I went back to work but I wasn’t the same person as I previously was, I lasted a year at work and then I took VR – pretty much to search for ‘my purpose in life’ (I’d literally scour the net for ideas; going to change my job, looking at doing charity treks, how I could raise breast cancer awareness, fundraising – pretty much I did anything I could to change my life and give meaning to why the cancer didn’t take me!)

Cancer was a big surprise to me. There’s no history of breast cancer or any cancer in my family whatsoever. I was the first person to go through this journey.

It took 5 months of soul-searching when a friend suggested I set up my own marketing consultancy which I did and has been going great for a year.

I always wanted to write a book, but never knew what kind of book to write. A few months I finally figured it out. I could use my life experience to help family and friends of breast cancer sufferers; explaining in ‘my language’ all of the medical terms, how the breast cancer patient will react in certain situations, the side affects of treatment, how they can help along the way.

I have found my purpose in life, I want to help Mums, Sisters, Best Friend’s, Husbands and caretakers of those dealing with breast cancer. I want to share how important they are to those of us, whom they love, and have been diagnosed with breast cancer, after all I’ve got 1st hand experience at it!

Wow, Katherine! What a story! Thanks for sharing it with us.

If you want to read more about Katherine’s journey and would like more to get her book ‘Your Guide Through Her Breast Cancer Journey’

Her book is on Amazon for just $0.99 and the profits from her sales until 12/31/12 will go towards Breast Cancer Care. I think we can all spare to help.

 

 

 

More about Katherine BownKatherine Formosa Bown

Katherine was born Cardiff, South Wales, UK. She has worked in the marketing field for over 15 years. She was diagnosed at 33 years old with Stage 1, Grade 3 breast cancer in February 2009, after finding a lump in her breast while on honeymoon. She had 18 weeks of FEC chemotherapy, 3 weeks of Radiotherapy and is currently still taking Tamoxifen.Since completing treatment, she has given a lot of her time to supporting and fundraising for cancer research and breast cancer charities. Connect with Katherine on Twitter or Facebook

Beautiful and Handsome

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts2 Comments

As God’s children we should aspire for the best as we are the children of The King. With this I’m not talking about our expectations for others, but for our own selves. The media is filled with images that define beauty for us, and in my quest for meaning I decided to research the world view and God’s view on beauty.

When talking about the beauty in terms of human attraction these tend to be defined by gender. Women are beautiful; men are handsome. What does that really mean?

 Beautiful

I usually start with my friend Webster who says that beauty is the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).  It’s an individually pleasing or has beautiful quality; grace; charm.

Reading this also entails that beauty is very subjective. Something pleasing to my eyes is totally disgusting to the person next to me. Therefore beauty will depend on our personal experiences, our culture and our personal taste. Not much for an objective definition.

Of course I went to the Word of God and this is what I found:

  •  Proverbs 31:30(NIV)”Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” This one I found particularly interesting because Webster said that charm was part of beauty, but the word of God tells us that charm is fleeting.
  •  1 Peter 3:3-5 (NIV) “such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves.”

So according to the Word, in reality being beautiful has nothing to do with how we look, but who we are. I think this definition can transcend cultures, tastes and personal experiences. I could even dare to say that it doesn’t divide even by gender as a man can have a gentle and quiet spirit as well.

Handsome

Now for the gentlemen, this was Webster’s definition of handsome: having an attractive, well-proportioned, and imposing appearance suggestive of health and strength; good-looking; having pleasing proportions, relationships, exhibiting skill, taste, and refinement.

Once again it focuses on the outer appearance and the subjectivity of what is perceived by it, but in this case it goes further talking about skills, which is something that I think I never thought was included in this definition.

I found in Daniel 1:4 the following message, “young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace”  The bible doesn’t deter much from Webster in this definition, it talks about no physical defect, which I’m sure is not talking about lack of flaws, but about a healthy body; but adds something to it, which is knowledge and the ability to learn. So for a man to be attractive, the six packs may be as equally important as the knowledge he presents, if not more.

The irony for me was that doing this research I found pictures that do not conform to our Hollywood mentality of beauty, which reinforces the notion that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Yes, I did find pictures of Brad Pitt in the midst of it and of  Julia Roberts, but I found pictures that defined beauty that are unusual for our traditional mindset. Here I share some:

Beautiful:

See full size imageSee full size image

Handsome:

    

So here’s the bottom line:

  •  Are you woman, being defined by the world’s definition of beauty or are you beautifying your spirit with the Word of God?  Also, are you looking at men within the God’s definition of beauty?
  •  Are you man, being defined by the world’s physical view of handsome? Or are you being teachable and in the search for the true knowledge? Also, are you looking at women within the definition of beauty that God has set for you?

Food for thought,

Blessings

Naty

Moving Forward

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

First of all I want to apologize for not writing in the last few days, between Camp Nano and other distractions I have not been able to sit down long enough to concentrate. I’ve been thinking a lot about how sometimes we are affected by issues regardless if they have direct or indirect impact in our lives.

Life is never without challenges, disappointments and painful events, most of them out of our control. The way we react to those events and the way we view those events will determine our behavior and ultimately potential future outcomes.

When something unexpected affects negatively our lives its very common to feel anger, sadness, shock, resentment, disappointment, grief and many other negative feelings. Ephesians 4:26 reads “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” but I know there are wounds that are longer lasting, however once the sun comes back up, it may be time to start our baby steps back on the road of life.

We believe that we have no control over those feelings and that’s not totally true. Yes, those feelings are normal. We should not stuff them or deny them. We should talk about them and process them, the problem arises when we sulk and get stuck on them.

At some point the grieving process of an event runs its course and yes, the timing is different for everyone, but when the grief hinders you from functioning, you’ve gone too long.

That’s why I say that you can ultimately impact your future outcomes, for example…the loss of a relationship may be devastating, but it could open the door to self examination, discovery and the potential of a new, sometimes even better relationship. The loss of a loved one is devastating, but if you have faith that they are in a place of no pain and no sorrow, that will give you hope. The loss of employment or some other financial loss will not be easy to recover until you get back on your feet.

Feel what you need to feel, process what you need to process, but then it’s time to get up and move on. Trust that God will make everything right and that he’s in control. That there’s no evil that will not be avenged and no good deed unrewarded.

Faith will get you through

Be blessed.

The hair clip from hell!

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

Have you ever heard that we are affected by things, people and places? The results can be both negative and positive and sometimes without our conscious acknowledgement. We live our life day by day and our life gets transformed for good or bad and it’s not until we make a pause that we realize how far we’ve gone; either towards our purpose or away from it.

There’s a particular thing that was a symbol in my life for a long time without my conscious knowledge, it was a hair clip. Apparently when I was very angry I would pulled my hair up, others will say that it was very high, and that I placed the hair clip on the top of my head. It was an unconscious thing.

I use to be a manager, and I heard some of my employees pass by my cubicle and announce, “oh oh hair clip is on”. I never paid attention, I thought it was a joke, until one day someone who I was in a relationship with and I were having a phone conversation. It was more an argument. He got quiet and said. “I bet your hair is up” and when I touched my hair, he was right. This same individual had a fist fight with his brother. I was called by a neighbor who couldn’t pulled them apart. I asked to be placed on the phone with my boyfriend and announced that I was on my way. When I made it to his place the guys were in separate rooms, I talked to “my guy” and started asking questions about the fight, he kept staring at me in silence. Finally he said,” I’m not talking to you until your hair comes down” I started laughing and pulled the clip off. This was over five years ago.

Why a hair clip story? During the last five to six years God has been working on me. I’m not sure if I had an anger issue, it was more a legalistic spirit. Everything needed to be in a way (usually my way) and I was miserable. If things were not inside the mold I would not only be upset but angry.  As things started changing in me I started enjoying my life. I laugh more, I have less concerns and I’m way less affected by sudden changes in life.

When I stopped managing my life and surrendering it to the one that could actually do something about it I had less reasons to worry and less need to control. That gave me more time to enjoy life and do more of what I like: writing! I’m not going to say that I never get upset or angry anymore, but the clip went away from my life as I am not nearly as uptight as I used to be.

I laugh when people say how funny or laid back I am. If they only knew me then. But what about the hair clip you may ask? I have not used it in years. I realized this week how long God has brought me when I found it buried in a box.

Would you like to share things that God has changed in your life? Have you identified things, people or places that affect you positively or negatively? I would love to hear them!

Be blessed!!

Doing the right thing is not always fun

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts3 Comments

I recently encountered a situation were I was in a group and someone without provocation ( I promise) came and was very rude and disrespectful to me. My reaction:nothing! The people in the group where I was congratulated me for my reaction, stating that I had done the right thing, that the person’s attitude had been uncalled for and that I had taken the high road. So if I did the right thing, how did it not feel good? 

I said nothing, I did nothing. Inside there was a volcano of all the things I wanted to say and do, but nothing came out. There was a voice inside of me telling me how much of a wimp I was that I had not put this person in their place and tell them A, B, and C. How much I didn’t know how to react to situation like this. Sounds familiar? Yes, it’s called Satan! But at the time I was to angry to realize it.

I went home and I was pacing still reviewing scenarios in my head of what I should have said and done and all of the sudden I stopped. I remembered something I’ve told many people who can’t let go of a situation: Why are you carrying this person with you? Are you willing to have them move in with you?

Did you know that’s what happen when you hold on to a resentment? Yes, the person moves in with you and sleeps with you and eats with you and watches television right there by your side. I decided that I didn’t like this person enough to have them move in, plus I had made steak for dinner and it was very good and juicy and I only had one and didn’t want to share.

I moved on to why is this bothering me so much. I made reference to my own series in offenses. Why did this offended me and what was God trying to teach me?

The answer to the first one is pride. I was very uncomfortable by the fact that this was done in front of people and that I held restraint. Instead of being proud of myself for doing what I was supposed to do, my pride was hurt by the fact that I didn’t get even.

What was God trying to teach me through this situation? I meditated on this quite a bit. I think my lessons here were, definitely treat others as you like to be treated. I don’t think I’m rude to other people, but it always important to be watchful of how we do things. The other lesson is to keep your emotions in check and not allow them to lead you, which I didn’t and I did. The situation where we all were was a very tense one. This other person could have been reacting to the stress of our surroundings. In a way, I did the same thing by getting angry even though I didn’t show it.  Last but not least, that taking control of the flesh is not always fun, it’s painful but worth it.

Be blessed!