Love like You

I was listening to one of my favorite praise songs the other day (Hosanna by Hillsong United) and one line really resonated with me.

'Show me how to love like You have loved me'

I think this is something we all struggle with.  At least, I know I do.  I like to think I'm a 'nice' person.  That I treat everyone equally and fairly.  That I give people the benefit of the doubt.

But I am an imperfect person.

Too often I find myself making snap judgements or gossiping.  I like to justify it by saying I'm just venting or making an observation.  But those are just excuses, justifications.  It doesn't really excuse or justify my behavior.  My friend, Kristi, wrote about just that here.

Sometimes people just rub me the wrong way.  They haven't done anything wrong.  I am in no place to judge anyone else, but I do.  I'll say 'I love so-and-so, but can you believe what they did?' or 'she seems like a nice enough person but did you hear what she just said?'

Who am I to judge anyone?  I have a faulty personality.  I've lied.  I've cheated.  I've stolen.  I've  been mean.  I've been petty.  I've been immoral.  I've sinned countless times.

If only I could learn to love like God loves us.  He loves us unconditionally.  There is NOTHING we can do to alter that love.  No matter how many times we fall short (and we will-again and again and again...), God is there to help us back up, embrace us and say, 'it's okay, my child.  I forgive you.  I love you.  I will never leave you.'.

I want to love live that!  I want to be loved like that.  We are only human though.  We hold grudges.  We make judgements.  We are biased.  This is something I am earnestly working on.  Whenever I hear the venom of gossip flowing from my lips, I have to conciously make the decision to ask God to help me love that person better.

It doesn't matter what that person has done.  It really is none of my concern.  Their struggles are for God to deal with, not me.

Controlling my venomous tongue is difficult.  I will probably struggle with this for the rest of my earthly life, but with Gods help, I can do anything.

What do you struggle with?

I am not a Masseuse

I am not a masseuse.

I am a Licensed Massage Therapist.

I spent a lot of time, energy and money to earn that title.  There is a LOT more to being an LMT then just 'rubbing people'.  I've studied anatomy & physiology, kinesiology, pathophysiology, history of massage, and eastern & western modalities.

I know what I'm doing.  I am not spreading lotion on you haphazardly.
When I tell you everything is connected, I know what I'm talking about.

I am a professional.

When I ask if you've ever had a massage before, I don't mean by your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/relative/friend.  I mean by a licensed professional.

I do not want to see you naked.  I don't care if you're not modest.  I am.  Allow me to leave the room BEFORE you beginning unbottoning your shirt or undoing your pants.  I am trained in draping.  I will only expose whatever body part I am currently working on.  You should NEVER feel exposed during a massage.  If you do, let your therapist know and he/she/I will drape you more modestly.

When I ask how you're doing before your session, I don't want to hear about your day.  I am concerned with sore/stiff/tender/tight muscles.

I am well-versed in the kinesiology of MUSCLES.  I do not know if you are misaligned.  I cannot tell you if you have a bonespur.  I cannot crack your back/fingers/toes.  I do not know why your body feels a certain way.  I cannot diagnose you.  Seriously.  I am legally not allowed.

I am a paid professional.  You are my client.  Our relationship during that session is as such.  You are not privy to personal information about my life.  It is none of your business where I live, where I hang out, what my relationship status is, where my family lives, what my ethnicity is, how old I am...etc.  Please do not ask me personal questions.  If you would like to talk during the session, that is perfectly fine.  It is your session.  If talking makes you more relaxed, by all means, go right ahead!

The intake form you are given to fill out is necessary.  Your health determines what types of massage you are eligible for...if any.  If you are told you cannot receive a massage because of the health information you have given, trust that we know what we are talking about.  Cancer, for example, is not completely contraindicated (unsuitable for massage); however, there are a LOT of dos and don'ts involved.  I, personally, am not comfortable with oncology massage.  I am not trying to offend you by not working on you.  I am not trained to perform oncology massage and I am looking out for your best interest.

Massage Therapy is a health industry.  Yes, it crosses over into beauty and luxury.  Ultimately, the goals are health.  TRUST that I know what I'm doing.  I am not a glorified lotion applicator.

I went to school for Massage Therapy.  I am a licensed professional.  It took hard work and a lot of studying to become an LMT.  This is NOT a stepping stone for me.  THIS is my career.  I am not an underachiever.  You are not entitled to look down your nose at me.  My career choice is just that.  My choice.  I provide a beneficial service.

I am not a masseuse.

Lent

Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the start of lent. This year, I will be abstaining from video games.  This may not seem like a great feat, but, trust me, it will be.  It's only been one day so far and my fingers are itching.

I play video games on my blackberry when I'm at work, or waiting for someone or something...or basically anytime my phone is in my hand.  I play Wii when I should be cleaning, or working-out, or sleeping.  I play The Sims when I watch tv...and when I'm not on the Wii.  Video games occupy an absurd amount of my time.

I will also be fasting once a week, as I have done for the last 12 years.  It always amazes me how much stronger my prayers feel, how much closer to God I feel, when I fast.

I pray this season of lent deepens and strengthens my relationship with God.  That it renews a sense of dependency on Him deep within me and lessens my need for material things.

What are you giving up this year?

p90x

I need a change.  My pants don't button up on anymore...at least not comfortably.  i have grown to be way too lazy.  Today, that changes.

I've always been pretty lucky in that I have a fast metabolism. Growing up, I was always slender with little to no effort on my part. Because I never really HAD to workout, I didn't. I was never involved in any sports or athletic activities and grew to have a pretty sedentary lifestyle. A few years ago I noticed the weight was starting to stick a little more and then shifting. Over the last 2 years, I've gained 30lbs. This is NOT a happy weight for me.

So today I start p90x.  Again.  THIS time, I'm going to make it all the way through.  THIS time, I won't quit.  THIS time, I will BRING IT!

I figure if I REALLY want this attempt to be different, I am going have to go about it differently.  My biggest downfall is distraction.  I'm giving up video games for lent, so that will hopefully cut down on that.  I also need help with accountability.  I'm less likely to give up if someone is looking over my shoulder.  So I signed up for a beachbody coach and I'll be tracking my progress on here.  I'm asking that all of you hold me accountable.

If you are doing, or thinking about doing, p90x, or any other beachbody workout, I highly recommend signing up for a coach.  It's free.  You can log your workouts and your progress.  You can join online workout groups who have the same goals and/or fitness level as you.  Your coach can help keep you motivated and answer any questions you might have.

My beachbody coach, Lindsay Matway, is truly an inspiration for me. I've known her for almost 3 years and have seen her p90x transformation first hand. You can sign up with her at www.whyyoucan.com (and then add me as your workout buddy!). I hope I have HALF as much success as she did on this, my 6th, attempt.

Now its time for me to get started...day 1 - Core Synergistics.  Wish me luck!  I leave you with my day one pictures.  I'm not proud of these, or in the least bit happy with them, but I will be posting my progress every 30 days.  Keep me accountable!