The Chocolate Chip Cookie

When my children were small, I remember making a deal with God one day. It was the first time I had done such a thing and it was the last. I had 2 small children and was babysitting 2 others in my home to make ends meet. I was determined to be an at home mother as long as possible. It was a typical day. The kids were all playing and I found myself looking around at all the things that I felt needed to be done, all the preperations I needed to make to teach at the Wednesday night Pioneer Girls meeting at church, all the laundry, all the dishes, the meals for the children and supper for my husband....on and on the list in my head went until I found myself crying with the overwhelming sensation of exhaustion. It was at that point that I said to God, if you help me get it together and get everything done each day , I promise I will spend time each day with you in prayer. Here was His reply...You must first spend your time in prayer with me and then I will be certain you accomplish all that needs to be done.

So I will never forget that very first day. It was 26 years ago and still reminds me of God's faithfulness.
I have the type of faith that I believe things happen for a reason. I may not know what it is right away but I know It will be revealed eventually. So I plopped the bible on the dining room table with great anticipation. I decided to let God reveal the days lesson and let the pages open on their own. It turned to Proverbs 31:15 which says, "She gets up while it is still dark: she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." I had time just before the children came to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Everyone seemed so happy to smell the delicious aroma as they descended the stairs and the same with the children and their families that dropped them off  that day. It didn't hurt that a couple of those cookies made it to their hand to take off  to work. Something so simple. The power of God's love and care reflected in a chocolate chip cookie. There is power in asking God what He wants us to do for our children, our spouse, our friends, our community. That day and every day that I took time with God first, I was not only able to get all of the things done that day, but I had extra time!! I had energy, a positive attitude, alot more patience and creativity. I had time to organize playful, learning activities for the children. I think you must be getting a feel for the difference it made.

The next time you bite into a chocolate chip cookie, think about your creator and His love for you. Ask for His guidance and take time with Him each day!

He has given me an opportunity to share my story with you today and chocolate chip cookies with everyone. Who would have guessed? For your free chocolate chip cookie, email me at: sandrabullard11@gmail.com.

Blessings,
Sandra

Blonde with Hazel eyes

It's amazing to me that we go through so many changes in our lifetime.
Each change makes us just a little different.
Until one day we look at ourselves in the mirror and wonder who we used to be and how did we get this way.

I never want to let go of the way I was. I still want to be that carefree spirited girl with the blonde hair and hazel eyes. Despite what I want, even the blonde hair has changed.  Somehow I am not sure how life would be right now if I had stayed the same.

I know I did alot of painting walls this week and not doing any physical work in YEARS... showed up by a tremendous aching all over. Including parts I wasn't even aware I had used. Up and down the ladder, rolling non-stop for hours. Way out of shape...unless round is the shape I was going for. :-/
Thank goodness for the pain. It will remind me to exercise more often. It has to hurt less as time goes on. Just say "YES" on that one.

I have had time on my side lately. Time to reflect on my life, how I have affected others in my life, what I want to change about myself. As I reviewed some of my past habits, I realized that I had changed so much from the person I started out to be that I no longer could even remember how I once thought about things. I do know that, without realizing it, I captured quite a few of my parents bad habits and possibly even improved upon them. That started me thinking about my children and the habits they have picked up from one parent or the other. I think that is when I realized, I had to stop judging myself and focus on the changes I want to make. ( This time really making those improvements) I might as well continue with the physical improvements. I lost 4 pounds. Not an earth shattering amount...but absolutely in the right direction:)

The next thing I am changing is the lives of those who are friends of mine. I want them to live a long healthy, happy life. I recommend and encourage them to purchase nutritional supplements from my diamondhealthshop.com. It's what I do because it inspires me every day. I would appreciate your support. If you would like to know what you should be taking for your symptoms or what you need to to stay healthy and active (Both men and women need something) I will be your personal health coach. Everyone needs a coach!! Even me!! Email me today at sandrabullard11@gmail.com.

Stay Well and Active!!
I'll be excited to hear from you!
        Sandra

Here we go again!

Another trip to the scale and ....Absolutely amazing. I have seen the benefits of a cleanse. It keeps your system in motion. They say you should fast as well. I notice that if you have up to a 5 pound weight gain once a month or after you have had a highly salty meal the day or two before, that a cup or two of regular tea is a great way to shed that water gain. It makes you feel lighter. Steep it good and if you have a fast heart rate, one cup at a time.

What is of interest this week? Mother's Day? Spring? Outside work? Inside Organization? It's interesting how the weather affects our level of interest. It seems to motivate or unmotivate us. We are truely...children of the earth. We are governed by the moon and the sun and the stars even more than we care to admit.

Having a new sense of freedom this month (I have retired from the job) I really wanted to kick things into high gear, run like the wind, have fun in the sun, blah blah blah...the weather turned rainy, dark and overcast every day. I could hardly get up the courage to get dressed. Wow..I thought to myself, will it ever get sunny again? I hear we are lacking in vitamin D. Yes, I know we are lacking in the sunshine vitamin in NY for sure. Information about that doesn't help us live thru it. Hmmmm...what does??

I am out to find out the answer to that question. I would appreciate any feedback you have on the subject. So far I have no idea what will get us thru when the weather is in charge. Email me or comment on this post so that we all can read it.

What's Up Doc?

I am a firm believer in taking an active interest in my own health. But, I have certainly met people in my practice that feel their doctor is the expert.

Think about that for a minute. Your doctor asks you about your medical history. Your doctor has no way of knowing if it is true or not. Also, does not know if you have forgotten to mention something or left it out on purpose. How good of a " historian" are any of us?? After a few weeks we forget what we had for dinner, forget who we were with...makes you wonder. After the questions are asked, an examination takes place. How do you think your doctor can put all this information together and know you well enough to take your health in hand and be totally responsible for it?

One of my family members said just last week, I saw my doctor in the hallway and he didn't even know who I was. Here is my take away from that statement. You are not that remarkable. We are all quite a bit alike except for a few different medications, a few different symptoms. What makes you someone that your doctor will remember??

Here is the answer. Your doctor will remember you if you have taken responsibility for your health since your last visit. If you have questions he/she can answer for you about your symptoms , medications or treatment plan. If you have your list of medications on you. If you help him/her take care of you and actually do what is requested when you walk out the door. Wear an appropriate emergency bracelet.

Nothing wastes a doctors time more than a diabetic who has to be monitored every three months and when they get to their appointment they have no blood sugar reading to show, why? they didn't want to take the time to check it. Or, even better,  a heart patient on a medication for an irregular rhythm and they ran out of meds and just never got around to filling the script.

Why should the doctor be more interested in our health than we are??
Ok, down off the box for now. However, if you and I want to feel our best without medications, we have to do healthy things, think healthy thoughts, take responsibility and help our doctors care for us.

If you want to be naturally healthy, lets start with your personal health assessment. Contact me today.
sandrabullard11@gmail.com

Stay Well!
Sandy

Let your dreams come true

Yes, "let" them come true. We all keep ourselves tethered by this imaginary string right where we think we are expected to be. But, today I want you to ask yourself these questions:(print and write)

1. What were my dreams I had when I was 18 years old?


2. List the ones that have actually happened?


3. Which road do I want to take now?


4. If I knew I could actually have 3 things I always dream of... what would they be?
    a)
    b)
    c)

5. What is holding me back?


When you have answered these questions for yourself, email me your answers at  sandrabullard11@gmail.com. I can help. Break your code of silence. Learn how you can unlock the cage that holds those dreams and safely set them free.

In a world where we judge one another (we just do, it's our job) it's more the unknown that scares us. It freezes us in place. It holds us captive instead of giving us wings to fly. Being a nurse has taught me one very important fact.We all need the same things in life. I have learned to love unconditionally. To accept each person for who they are and what they believe, respect them, cherish them and give them the understanding and acceptance that we all want. Free to be me...and free to be you.

I urge you to cut the string. It's imaginary. I can show you exactly what to say and what to do that will allow you to live your dreams without regrets. Your real dreams await you. You have to have help to get out of the rut. It's years of walking the same path that has entrenched your thinking. I'll look forward to talking with you when I receive your email. Don't wait! Just do it!! Don't talk yourself out of it. Do it!

Sandra

Enjoy the present of the day.

The Road Less Traveled

I look at life like a smorgasboard full of wonderful things to experience. I know what you are thinking...geeeez doesn't she ever get down in the dumps or stop the pollyanna routine?  Well, I found out that life has it's own way of bringing us up and down. I choose to find something positive in every negative experience. Somtimes I have to look for YEARS to find it. It reminds me of the story that is a part of the "go-giver" by Bob Burg (if you haven't read it,let me tempt you now...it changed my life)
A very successful woman (Top Real Estate Agent) was speaking to a very large audience. She shared what she got for her birthday. Her children secretly bought her a whole day at the spa to pamper herself and even set up their own babysitter without her knowing it. Her husband of many years gave her a gift that it took her a couple of years to even unwrap, understand and use. I am afraid you will have to read the book to see what that gift was:)

There is always a fork in the road somewhere. When we stand their pondering the route, do we take the well worn path or the one less traveled? I can't answer for you, but i seem to always take the one less traveled. I am an adventurer. I like the challenge that It presents me with. I like the thrill of the ride. The changes that I am forced to make keep me flexible. Isn't that what being young was all about? The young take things in stride. They are willing to take on the things that look difficult but really aren't. As we get older, don't you think we have just enough experience behind us to tell ourselves NO?

Here is my challenge to you today. The next time you stand at that fork in the road...take the one less traveled. Call on me if it gets scarey...I'll be there to help you grow.

Build me up Buttercup

It's time again to hop on the scale. Yipeee....If you could see how bad I have been. You would know why I am so happy. I haven't gained anything back. Life has been full of celebration after celebration so far this year. Food fit for a king has been spread out in front of me. Me with no will power. You know how that is??

Temptation, it's such a bad word isn't it?? Especially when we are in charge of ourselves. Remember when we could rely on our parents to tell us "NO!"?? It was so much easier. Now if someone says no, it only makes us mad at them. Even when we know they are right.

I was pondering temptation when I decided to see if there was a lesson in there. It brought to mind this story. Since I have my own business, I make my own hours, my own rules of conducting business each day and it can be really easy to say, I will just watch some TV with my husband tonight. Make up some cockamame story to myself and go sit on the couch contently. I have to tell myself why it's ok (the cockamame story) or I would not be content. It's easy to fool myself. I am really good at it. I know exactly what it takes...LOL
So the temptation to slack off for the night won out. But....many the time I have had a temptation and have resisted. I have stuck to my plan to work an hour or two. To help someone else with an aspect of their business and the feeling of empowerment that it has given me has actually been a better feeling than giving in to the temptation. Especially now that I am reitiring, I am grateful I have learned what feels better.

We all want to feel good. Don't you want feel good each day?? Resisting temptation is going to be something I have to really focus on in April. I have a wedding to look good for and well, not feeling good quite yet. But I know that if I resist the temptations in April, I will be rewarded with the outcome I am looking for.

It's easy to backslide. So, I need your help. Invite one friend to read my blog each week and help me build up my friends so that I will see others care. It will give me encouragement and strength!

Thanks for the friendship!!

          Sandra