Lent in a Legalistic Society...

Lent is the period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, during which Christians purify themselves by praying, fasting, repenting of their sins, and making changes and sacrifices in their lives. The final week of Lent is called Holy Week; during this period, observant Christians reflect specifically on the last days of Jesus Christ's life. So according to a definition this is a time that we are using to make sacrifices and changes in our lives. I have heard people since Wednesday say, “Oh you have to do it now? Our church doesn’t do it now. “or “ Aren’t you being legalistic about this?”, or “I’m not sure what I would sacrifice.” We live in a world where there are so many rules that we feel we have to follow. Rules that tell us what to do when, how to do it, how much to do, how less to do it, what to eat, what not to eat, where to go, what is healthy, what isn't healthy... Get my drift? This has really put me to thinking about what and why I am giving up what I gave up this year. The key word in my mind is a sacrifice. Does that always mean that we have to give up food? Not necessarily, but most do because in today’s society we see food as our addiction. Look at your life. What do you depend on that you think you can’t live without? Last year my sacrifice was Facebook. I removed myself from social media, removed the app from my phone to use my time to spend with PEOPLE, not their faces on a phone or a computer screen. This year it is processed foods and preservatives. Yes it is food. But I find myself this year trying to allow my body to become healthier. If I lose weight in the process great, but I have to start looking at what goes in my body. I only have one. In using this 40 days to sacrifice processed foods, I have to say I have had to rely on strength from prayer. You say, “That is crazy. You prayed to not eat a preservative, or something processed?” Yes I have, and I will continue to do so for the next thirty some odd days. I feel that if we become judgmental of those who are sacrificing either by what they are doing, or HOW they are doing it, then in turn we have to look at our own lives. Sacrifice what you can, do the best you can do. It isn’t about what you give up, it the preparation of your heart and reflect on what Christ has done for us. Yes He never made mistakes, so when he chose to fast with the 40 days and 40 nights in the desert he made no mistakes. That is why He is the only perfect person that was/is. Here is my challenge to you today. Don’t let the legalistic society that we live in today bog you down in your choices. Will you backslide? Of course we all do. But maybe there is something that you could do without for the next 32 days that could lead to a life change for the future years.

My Body is Connected How...

Many of you know that today was my first session with an acupuncturist. Was I nervous? Yes, indeed I was, but I have to find a resolution to this pain in my heel. So far I haven't found a doctor who could help me with the bursitis in my heel yet. I finally caved and decided that I would at least give acupuncture a shot. I am desperate my friends. So here is an account of how it all went down today. I went into the office and filled out paperwork about my lifestyle and basic information that any doctor would ask. Anything from my sleep habits to my digestive habits. Katie, owner and acupuncturist, at The Center of Bliss was who worked on me. She was wonderful to answer any questions that I had along the way. I laid on a table much like that of a massage table, with music in the background and dim lighting like that environment of a massage and she talked me through the entire thing. She showed me the needles and in each place she would tell me when she was inserting the needles. Many times she would ask me to breathe in and breathe out and then she would put the needle in. Now here is the crazy part. Each needle had a different sensation at each point. The ones that hit nerves connected to my stomach had a dull ache to them. The ones for my heel I couldn't even feel. Just a strange sensation. Once all needles were inserted, all 17 of them, she left me in the room alone to rest. Now rest my friends it was. It was the most relaxing experience I have ever had. It was almost like an out of body experience. I know you are rolling your eyes now, but truthfully was. I then began feeling my legs twitch and then pain in my heel was pretty prominent for about 30 seconds. All normal. She says it was intense blood flow to the areas that were needed. As I lay there I really couldn't sleep as she told me but I was then beginning to understand how our bodies are all connected. Nerves and muscles in your thigh are connected to your heel. So when the needle is inserted in your thigh it does make a difference in your heel. I had more in my left foot where the bursitis is, so that was understandable, but the ones in my hands, and even the one in my forehead still baffles me. I know that it is all connected together and that the majority of the time when you have injuries, if you take better oxegynated blood to the area there is a quicker healing time. Now do I believe it all yet? Not really. I can't tell a difference yet. I was told to soak my feet today, walk tomm,and then try running Saturday. She told me it was going to be an on/off fix. It was a gradual pain decrease. So I am scheduled to see her next Thursday again. I have been told to give it 3 times to see a difference, and I will. As all I want is to be able to be pain free all over my entire body. I want to have no stomach issues, less stress and anxiety, and also to be able to run enjoyably. So that is a recap of how it all went down. Was it worth it? Heck yes, if anything the rest and relaxation was amazing. I just wish now we had a community based clinic like they do in Asheville, NC. With that it is more community based and it is much much less expensive.