It is the last day of June; I have been climbing to Higher Ground for 30 days now. Have I made it a little higher? I wonder…
My stepping stones are nature, simplicity and gratitude; cemented together by God’s Love and Peace.
The beginning of June, I began with Simplicity by eliminating tolerations. My first go-through went very well; got rid of alot of “stuff.” Somehow, though, tolerations have a life of their own, and continue to pop up again. That’s OK. Simplicity is not as simple as I thought it would be; I have discovered that it is a process, rather than a goal.
Next, was Nature; eating locally, sustainable foods, choosing foods that are grown within 100 miles of where we live. I am still discovering WHAT foods are grown within 100 miles, but this really has been an adventure! …and I LOVE adventures!
The final “stone” I have worked on is Gratitude. I truly am grateful for the sunrise and sunset; and “life” in between…Tomorrow, July 1st I begin my Gratitude Journal.
What else will July bring, as I climb a little higher?
How was YOUR month of June? How did YOU climb ”a little higher?” What will July bring for YOU?
What will take me a step higher on “gratitude?” I used to keep a “gratitude journal,” but somehow got away from it.
It is time to go back…just as a tiny step higher…
I recall the quote, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is Thank You, it will be enough.” ~Miester Eckhart
Today I will find my Gratitude Journal, or perhaps buy a brand new one, and - before I go to bed, write three things I am grateful for. This is JUST the beginning…and I am grateful to begin…
How about YOU? Do YOU have a Gratitude Journal? How will YOU begin?
“As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world.” ~Adabella Radici
This is the quote that came to me as I watched the sunrise on the first day of summer…Summer actually arrived at 1:45 am, and I did get up to say “welcome,” but then smiled and climbed back into bed.
I re-awoke at 5:45 am to the most beautiful sunrise; you know, the kind that almost takes your breath away…”Good morning sun, good morning God, thank you for this Blessed day.”
So often, we (at least “I”) take the sunrise for granted. But not today. And I hope not, tomorrow.
Will you join me, please, in saying “thank you” for every sunrise?”
Then, let’s watch the sunset. 
I need to go to the library and get a copy of the “The100 mile diet.” It has been awhile since I read it.
So far, I have chosen SATURDAY as my “100″ day. It will be the easiest as I go to the Farmers Market on Saturday morning. I am beginning the first Saturday after the first day of summer (which is this Sunday, June 21.) So, I have about a week to figure this out.
I know my 100 mile radius. (To figure YOURS out, go to 100 mile diet and “click” on “find your 100 miles.”
Now, I need to figure out either 1) what foods are produced in those 100 miles, or 2) what foods do I want to eat and then find those foods or a suitable substitute.
I emailed my book club (we worked on reading and discussing this book together) and asked for their help with this. Diana Dyer suggested that I make a list of foods and we would brainstorm how to get them. Thanks Diana!!! Our next book club meets June 24. Just in time!
Have YOU found YOUR 100 mile radius? What foods will YOU be eating? What “day” have YOU chosen?
“You eat. Willingly or not, you participate in the environment of food choice. The choices you make about food are as much about the kind of world you want to live in as they are about what to have for dinner.” Marion Nestle, “What to Eat”
I am reading an excellent book, “Go Green-Get Lean” by Kate Geagan, MS, RD. Kate’s premise is that while you are reducing your carbon footprint, you will also reduce your waistine! Check the book out of your library and give it a “read.”
There is much to the benefits of eating locally grown foods-including being deemed a “locavore!” …and, how does this effect MY Journey to Higher Ground?
I already eat fairly low on the food-chain and we just planted our own vegetable garden (tomatoes, peppers, peas, corn, beets, spinach, kale, zucchini, cucumbers and carrots.)
I wonder if I could follow the 100 mile diet ? I will begin journeying a little higher by commiting to eating foods that are grown no further away from our home than 100 miles! Everyday? NOPE! But, I will begin with one day a week…
AGH!!! What-the-heck have I just commited myself to…Yes! I CAN do it one day a week!
How about YOU? What will YOU commit to; what will take you a little higher?
What do I preach? You are what you eat. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say: You are what you ATE!
Our body is remarkable! EVERYTHING we put into our mouths becomes part of it…The macronutrients: carbs, protein and fat; the micronutrients: vitamins, minerals, water; and now phytonutrients: including antioxidents which we are learning more and more about each day.
The quality of our food, which affects the quality of our body, begins with how and where the food is grown. Is it grown locally? Has it been shipped thousands of miles? Was it sprayed with pesticides? How were the animals treated? …and many other questions.
As we continue our exploration of “we are what we ate,” these are all factors to consider.
What are YOU eating today? That is who you will become…
As a Registered Dietitian, I am, of course, passionate about food! The food we grow, the food we buy, the food we eat, the food we need…I could go on and on; and often I do!
But, what does this mean to ME and My Journey to Higher Ground?
Do I practice what I preach? Most of the time, “yes.” And, as I say that, I ask myself, “What, exactly, do I preach?
I shall ponder that today…
I am still working on my “tolerations;” some days it is easy, other days I have to say, “OK, I will work on them for five minutes”-which actually become an incredibly productive five minutes!
While continuing with “tolerations,” my coach, Jo, has challenged me to do One thing that I love to do that I haven’t done in a long time. So, out came my list of “100 things,” I closed my eyes, and pointed to one. It was HIKING! I love to hike, and have not done it for a long time! Why haven’t I done it for a long time? Beats me!
My friend, Linda, and I went hiking many years ago. So, out went an email to her, and she responded with a “Let’s Go!” Thanks Linda! and Thanks Jo!!!
How are YOUR tolerations going? Are you allowing yourself the time? What do YOU love to do that you have not done for a long time? What action will YOU take?
I am just about done with clearing off the clutter (tolerations) from my dressing room. While going through the drawers, I came across a number of cosmetics that have been used a few times and did not like …So, what do I do with them???
I don’t want to throw them away, to just have them clutter up a landfill, but no one else is going to want “used cosmetics!”
After checking this out, I have learned that you can recycle EMPTY cosmetic containers by taking them to Origins cosmetic store. Not only will your empty cosmetic containers be recycled, but you will also receive a sample skin care product as their “thank you” for recycling. Thank YOU, Origins!
But what about the partially still-filled ones? HELP! If you have any suggestions, PLEASE go to “comments” at the bottom of this BLOG and let me; let us ALL know your suggestions! THANKS!!!
Yesterday was my first day to begin “my journey,” and begin simplifying my life.
I began with little tolerations; starting with the bedroom (first room I see when I wake up…) And…it is done! I must admit it was an easy room to do…there were only four things that I removed; a box of pictures, an old cassette and two tote bags. I could actually “feel” the difference in the room. It felt “fresher…cleaner…simple. Whew! One down and I-have-no-idea-how-many- more-to- go. :~)
Tomorrow I will tackle my dressing room vanity.
How about YOU? What tolerations are YOU eliminating? What will YOU work on tomorrow?
