Move 2 Motivate

Move 2 Motivate

As I move to motivate my self, I keep pushing along. My weight is up and my energy level is down. There are a myriad of reasons and excuses as to why. None of that matters. I need to keep moving.

As I was exercising at the fitness trail this morning, I realized that my fitness level hasn't gone down. Thank God! I wish I was better than a year ago, but again I will keep moving 2 motivate. I can still do level 3 at each station. I can still do 30 jumping jacks. That is good. I am still fighting diabetes, osteoporosis, and many others. I am still keeping my arthritis from getting worse.

As I was walking the trail, runners kept breezing by me. I wondered what they thought as they saw this little chubby women, walking along, sweating. I assume, if they noticed me at all, they were sending motivational vibes. I try to for those I notice while exercising. Especially those who seem like newbies to fitness. I try to send good thoughts to keep them moving. It is interesting how things like that are relative. You see someone who seems to be in a earlier stage than you, fitness wise, and you hope they stay with it. And you are that someone to others. We are all on a journey and we should be pulling each other along.

Move 2 Motivate, is the name of my business. I haven't done anything with it, except register the name with the state. Life has a way of getting in the way. Maybe soon I will get back to it. I have all these ideas and plans. It takes time and money to get something like this going. Maybe I will sell the idea to someone who has time and money. Who knows what God has in store for me.

I hope as I Move 2 Motivate myself, I can Move 2 Motivate some of you.
Keep pushing, Keep moving, Keep motivating.

The capacity of the Human Spirit

"The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering."
Ben Okri

What a powerful quote! Our capacity to overcome is amazing to me. It is amazing to me to think about where I came from to where I am now. But I look at those around me, I know some of the struggles alot of you have faced, I can only imagine the struggles you hide. I see, read and meet people who have suffered tremendous tragedies. The ability of the human spirit to heal and grow in spite is awe inspiring.

Elizabeth Smart has taken her tragedy and used it to motivate her to do good. Jacey Dugard has shared her story in hopes of inspiring. There are stories of forgiveness from Rawanda and across the globe.

To be greater than our suffering. To take that suffering and turn it around for good, That is something. I have moved on, I have created a good life for me and my family. I wouldn't say I turned it around for the greater good. I walked away and created a new life. That is a good thing. But for those special people who have used it for the greater good is above and beyond.

Our life on earth isn't an easy one. We humans have ways of hurting one another, we turn on each other. We murder, molest, rape, pillage, bully and hate. We can be very creative in our ways of hurting one another. The fact that we haven't blown ourselves out of the universe is a testament to the human spirit to continue on.

As we struggle to live together on this planet, let's take our struggles and turn them around to create a better world. Let's use the challenges in life as motivation to move forward and be better. Love yourself and Love those around you, even the most challenging people in your life, even those who have hurt you. Love truly does conquer all things.

"Sins of the father"

"Sins of the Father"

What does this mean? Are kids punished for the bad things done by their parents? Not literally, sure, but kids are impacted by the choices their parents make.

How we act, how we live, what we do everyday, how we handle our relationships... All of these are modeled by our children. None of us are perfect. None of us will ever be perfect. We have to live our lives happily making good choices for our selves and our family.

But I am thinking about the bigger issues. The detrimental impact things like alcoholism, drug addiction, physical, emotional and sexual abuse can have on families and children for decades to come.

My parenting skills, or lack there of, are a direct result of my childhood. (The same holds true for Steve, for you) For example, my mother wasn't a good housekeeper. I am not a good housekeeper. My children may not be the best housekeepers.

When Steve and I decided to make a life together, we brought our own issues and baggage to the relationship. We had to work through these. We are still working through these. I still can fall back into some of my childhood issues. I am still not a good housekeeper, better than I used to be, but not the best.

But getting back to the heavier issues. How far back do you need to go to figure out where the road turns and a cycle of dysfunction is created. Families get caught in this cycle and can be there for decades. So the issues I face, that effect my children, are a result of issues created by my parents. The issues my parents faced were a result of the issues their parents faced. So on and so on. You could keep going back in the family tree forever. I am not making excuses for peoples choices. At some point your life becomes your own and the choices you make are yours. Not excuses just some rational for how things go bad.

My Grandparents struggled. I don't know that whole story and probably never will. But I know there were some serious issues. These issues impacted my mothers life, very negatively. Subsequently our childhood was very bad. I am not laying blame or making excuses. Just trying to understand how thinks got so...

To change things takes effort, conscience effort. Takes recognition that something is wrong and needs to be different. Takes work to break old habits and create new ones. This is very challenging. Maybe one of the hardest things to do.

When Steve and I began our lives together, we knew we wanted to move out of the city. To create a different life for our children. I have written about how moving to Ann Arbor was a culture shock for me. I have tried to create a different life for my children. I have done that. They way they grew up or are growing up is so completely different from my childhood it is incredible. There is no way to put it into words. You would have to live it to see it. But the issues I face because of my childhood are still a part of me and subsequently are a part of my childrens lives.

My extended family(my sisters, brothers, mother) are dealing with some of the trauma from our childhood. We are struggling right now. We are in a better place to deal with them. We are stronger. We can get through this. Sometimes I wonder if we are strong enough. I lose faith. But then I look my Mom and her resolve. I know that changes she has made in her life forthe better. I know the family will heal and come out stronger. I know God is watching over us and hears our prayers.

God Bless you all. Please pray for me as I do for you.

Hello Friends

My blog. We have been so busy it has been hard for me to find time to write. I do enjoy writing this blog but it doesn't come easy. I need to really block out time to get my thoughts down. I am not one of those that just writes easily and naturally.

Why write a blog then? I ask myself that. I have written early on about why I decided to write a blog. But I guess sometimes it is nice to just hear your voice, figuratively. I could write a journal but then who would ever read it?

As I write this I have 3 blogs in the process that should be posted soon.

One thought that has been swirling around my head is the phrase "sins of the father". What does this mean? How does this impact our lives or does it?

I always have thoughts on politics. That is easy to write about. I could probably just do a blog on the political arena. So many issues there.

I am also trying to write one on marriage. The joys, struggle and work of it.

I do appreciate those of you that read these. Thanks!!!

This is an open letter to young adults. Those that have moved beyond high school. This will sound harsh but I say it with love. I also want you to know that this comes from a bleeding heart liberal. One who votes to extend support and assistance.

Get over it! Life is hard, it takes hard work, sacrifice and patience. Nothing is freely given. FIA, WIC, unemployment and other assistance programs are there to help get on your feet. Not something you should live on. I think we have made it to easy for you, to your own detriment. I know there are hard working young people out there. But I also know there are some of you caught up in stagnation. Waiting for something to be handed to you.

That isn't how it works. If you are young and able, then work. If you need to work at home depot during the day and McDonald's at night then do it. If you need to walk or take a bus to the local community college then do it. If you have kids, I understand you want to be there for your kids and you should be. But that isn't an excuse for not working. I know single mothers have it particular hard and I pray for you to have all the support you need. This is mostly to those young couples with kids. I know its tough to have kids, but if you are a two parent home then figure it out. Work alternate schedules or whatever works for your family. Again stop waiting for the world to hand you something.

We all did it. Was it easy, No!! Did we do it perfectly, absolutely not. We made mistakes, but we kept plowing forward. Making sacrifices, making choices and continuing to grow, learn and make things better.

We all have problems, issues and challenges. Money issues, relationship issues, health issues, etc.... We all continue to work, continue to move forward. My mom is 70 years old, she has fought and clawed her way, her whole life. She has diabetes and knee problems. She goes to work, she stays active, she tries to help those around her. I know others with different health problems, they still go to work or school or both everyday.

Maybe you are reading this and I think "she has no idea". You are right, I don't. I don't know the challenges some of you face. But I do know the challenges I have faced. I do see the challenges some of you face. I see some of you working hard, moving forward. But I also see some of you stagnating. Getting stuck in a holding pattern, waiting for something that may never come.

I know this sounds harsh, but it is reality. I hope you hear this with a sense of how much I care, wanting you to have a life filled with purpose and fulfillment.

I sound like a bitty old woman, maybe I am. I don't think so though. I see too many young adults who are stuck and it is frustrating!! Please accept this in the way intended, with love and hope to motivate.

Prayers, love and grace to all!!

Which side are you on? Are you democrat or republican?Black or white? What is your opinion on the Trayvon Martin story? ? Etc. Etc.....

We like our sides don't we. We like to make things cut and dry. Are you with me or against me. The media likes it too. They get ratings which turns into advertising dollars. They manipulate, they spin and we suck it up.

I know there are people out there like me. I know we feel like we are getting squeezed out by the loud voices on the sides. But we are here looking around in amazement.

I have opinions on what may have happened on that horrible night in Florida. I also know that my opinions are based on limited facts, innuendos and rumors. I was not there, I don't know any of those personally involved. So it is a very limited opinion. I do know that the situation is a tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to Trayvon's family and friends. So sad and tragic a loss. My thoughts and prayers also go out to Zimmerman and his family. I hope for answers, justice and peace for all.

I am not a black or white kinda person. And I don't mean race, I mean on most issues there is some gray area. There is somewhere in the middle.

Don't get me wrong. I know there is racism, prejudice and bigotry in this country. I have seen it, heard it and felt it. There are many who dislike others for the color of their skin. There are many who hate for a myriad of reasons.
That is unfortunately a part of the human condition. There will always be those who hate. And we should, continually work towards a world without hate.

So I do understand the shock and outcry over this case. I understand the desire for justice and answers. I don't understand the threats of violence. I don't understand the unwillingness of people to have a rational conversation. To recognize the limited facts in the case. I am not justifying anyone's actions from the police to Zimmerman's. I'm saying I wasn't there. I have lots of questions and I may never know the answers.

I am wondering if we have lost all sense of rational conversation. Of recognizing if someone doesn't agree with you 100% that doesn't make them your enemy. If someone is religious that doesn't make them weak or uneducated or hateful. If someone thinks or believes or acts different, then they are just that different.

You know what's interesting, is some of the most "liberal" people I know, can be very intolerable. I guess I just find it ironic, those that speak of tolerance and acceptance, find it hard to accept someone with different opinions. Some will read this and not recognize their own intolerances. We all have prejudices. We all pre judge. If we don't look inward and recognize that things will never change.

Let's work on having rational intelligent conversations. Even is someone says something you disagree with.

God Bless you all!

Hope everyone had a Blessed Easter.

I was having a conversation with my daughter the other day. She was asking how long we have lived in Ann Arbor. We were comparing how long I have lived in Ann Arbor versus Detroit.

In August I will be 46, I will also have lived in Ann Arbor for 23 years. Which is 23 years in both the D and A2. I feel blessed to have lived in 2 great cities in my life. Both have had impacts on who I am. Amanda stated that since the odds of me moving back to Detroit are non existent, that by next year I will have been in Ann Arbor longer. I told her who knows. Life has a way of throwing curve balls. Who knows what the future holds. I have no intention of moving now. I have no desire really to move back to Detroit.

This got me to thinking about the twists and turns of life. Playing the odds are tricky. Yes the odds are that I will live in Ann Arbor longer than the D. But the odds haven't always played out in my life. Given my childhood, I should be a single mom with a few kids. Or at the least on my 2nd or 3rd relationship, certainly not in a 27 year relationship.

Life is a journey. Most of times the visual to this is a walking path. I am more incline to think of a kayak ride. There are currents and things that move you along out of your control. Sometimes there is no current and the path is your choice. Sometimes the current is so strong, you have no choice. Sometimes you have more than forks in the road, more like multiple path choices that lead to more path choices.

As we choose one path multitudes of other open up. And we continue on always wondering what is around the corner. Sometimes we can see what's next. Sometimes we are blindsided by a curve or a blocked path. More choices, more decisions. We like to think we are always in control and most times we are. But sometimes the current takes. We are also at times distracted by those around us or events happening, that we don't even realize we are being moved along. There are those moments, at least for me, where I look around in amazement at where I am. Those moments of how in the heck did I get here?!

Will I ever move back to the city? I don't think so. But who knows.
If I end up moving somewhere completely different in August and live there another 23 years....... 69 years, 3 different places. That would be interesting.

But the odds are that I will be right here next August, talking about how I have lived in Ann Arbor longer than Detroit.

May your path be fun, interesting and driven by love. God Bless you all.