Articles

Non-Athletic Exercising

Non-Athletic Exercising

A calorie guide citing a recent medical association report: “Proper weight control and physical fitness cannot be attained by dieting alone.

Many people who engage in sedentary occupations do not realize calories can be burned by the hundreds by engaging in strenuous activities that do not require physical exercise.”

Here’s the guide to calorie-burning activities and the number of calories per hour they consume.

Beating around the bush………………… 75
Jumping to conclusions………………….100
Climbing the walls……………………..150
Swallowing your pride………………….. 50
Passing the buck………………………. 25
Throwing your weight around
(depending on your weight)……….50-300
Dragging your heels…………………….100
Pushing your luck………………………250
Making mountains out of molehills………..500
Hitting the nail on the head……………. 50
Wading through paperwork………………..300
Bending over backward…………………. 75
Jumping on the bandwagon………………..200
Running around in circles……………….350
Eating crow……………………………225
Tooting your own horn………………….. 25
Adding fuel to the fire…………………150
Opening a can of worms…………………. 50

Source Unknown. 

 

 

Reflections

Every year when spring arrives, I tell myself that this is the year I am going to take it easy and relax more. Taking time to smell the roses and enjoying a quieter pace. However, by the summer’s end, I find I need a vacation away from my vacation.

Many times over the years I have toyed with the idea of booking a room at the retirement lodge for a month. To recuperate from the wear and tear of life, sitting quietly on a porch rocking peacefully singing “Blessed Quietness.” When your life feels out of control, have you ever felt like running away? 

My life has been a roller coaster for the last few years, and when my to-do list hits overflow, I become overwhelmed. At this point, I feel guilty and decide not to look at my list anymore. (No, I ‘m not feeling better yet) Throwing the to-do list away now becomes a real option. I could start a new list, and forget how far behind I am.

The problem is, I often cannot face failure or rejection. I would rather not try than to risk failure. I want to see the big picture and know success is inevitable. However, nothing in life is guaranteed, when my financial prospects are bleak, the job market is uncertain, and I struggle with health issues, it is easy to become overwhelmed.

Sometimes, I wish God would send me an e-mail, as a quick reminder that He is still in control and cares. However, he only asks me to trust him. Can I trust him to help me with my to-do-lists, concerns, and fears? 

Psalm 46: 1-2 says, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

He is my strength, and light in a troubled world, I will not fear? ©  

 God’s love does not keep us from trials; it helps us to get through them.

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me,

Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs to all.  Lovingly, Karan

A Real Country Fair Ride?

A Real Country Fair Ride?

George and his wife Bessie went to the county fair every year. It was their “big” event of the year. In fact, it was the closest thing they ever had to a vacation.

And each year George would say to Bessie, “I sure would like to ride in that there crop dusting, acrobatic airplane.” And each year Bessie would say, “I know George, but that airplane ride costs ten dollars. And ten dollars is ten dollars.”

After many years, George and Bessie went to the fair as usual, and George said, “Bessie, I’m 81 years old. If I don’t ride that airplane this year, I may never get another chance.”

Bessie replied, “George that there airplane ride costs ten dollars. And ten dollars is ten dollars.”

The pilot overheard them and said, “Folks, I’ve seen you here year after year. I know you’ve wanted to ride in my airplane all that time. I also know that money is pretty important to you, and you don’t part with it lightly.”

“Tell you what, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take you both up for a ride. If you can both keep quiet for the entire ride, and not say one word, I won’t charge you a thing. But if you say even one word, it’ll cost you ten dollars.”

George and Bessie agreed. They got in the plane and took off. The pilot did all kinds of twists, turns, rolls, and dives, but he didn’t hear a peek from George or Bessie. He tried his fastest upside roll, and it was still quiet from the back.

When they landed, the pilot looked at George: “Well, I don’t believe it, George, I did everything I could think of to get you to yell, but you didn’t.”

George replied, “Well, I was going to say something when Bessie fell out of the airplane….”

“But, ten dollars is ten dollars.” Author unknown

Reflections:

Where would we be without those dear women we call Girlfriends. The ones we laugh, cry, and shop with who encourage us to become a better woman.

I think of my mother who raised me even when the stigma of being an unwed mother many years ago. (I will not tell you how many) I know that choice caused her many hardships in her adult life.

Mother was never judgmental of people and would accept them just the way they were. But most important, she was never afraid or shy to tell anyone about God’s love. Mother never gave up, she was a survivor, joyfully serving God and touching lives with kindness and comfort.

How I miss her laughter, her wonderful smile, and beautiful green eyes. I admired her strength and accomplishments against insurmountable odds. Mother often said,“With God nothing is impossible.”

Mrs. Mitchell, my third-grade teacher who spent extra time with me, teaching me to read. When I repeated third grade, she never made me feel inferior. To this day, I can still remember her face and the sweet smell of her perfume. I wanted to be her when I grew up. I still cherish her memory and kindness to a struggling little girl.

Hedevig my Danish mother-in-law taught me about hospitality and cooking. (neither of which I knew hardly anything about) She was a tall, kind, and a gentle Danish woman who loved her home and family. She taught me how to cook, clean, bake those wonderful Danish pastries and pies.There was never anyone turned away from home, generous hospitality, delicious meals, and beautiful table settings.

She endured great physical pain and showed grace throughout the illness. Always knowing God loved her, and had faith he had a perfect plan for her life. She was a wealth of knowledge and made learning fun. She became my second mother, mentor, and friend.

Over the years as I look back I remember the beautiful women who have walked through my life filling it full precious gifts of their generosity and grace. I have a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more to me than silver and gold. I am blessed.©

Psalm 119:72 (NLT)

Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

John 15:13 (NLT)

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

 

I want to thank all the Girlfriends in my life who daily encourage me to be the best I can be for the Lord. You are loved. Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

 

Will You Be My Valentine Forever?

Will You Be My Valentine Forever?

You can see them alongside the shuffleboard courts in Florida or on the porches of the old folks’ homes up north: an old man with snow-white hair, a little hard of hearing, reading the newspaper through a magnifying glass; an old woman in a shapeless dress, her knuckles gnarled by arthritis, wearing sandals to ease her aching arches.

couple10000They are holding hands, and in a little while they will totter off to take a nap, and then she will cook supper, not a very good supper and they will watch television, each knowing exactly what the other is thinking until it is time for bed.

They may even have a good, soul-stirring argument, just to prove that they still really care. And through the night they will snore unabashedly, each resting content because the other is there.

They are in love, they have always been in love, although sometimes they would have denied it. And because they have been in love they have survived everything that life could throw at them, even their failures.                                              Ernest Havemann, Bits & Pieces, June 24, 1993, pp. 7-9.

Grow old with me! The best is yet to come.

~Robert Browning

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Reflections:

I have been thinking about my own thankfulness which has been lacking for a while. Being thankful not happyall the time is hard, I would like to think I am thankful most of the time.

 Often, when things happen in our lives, we feel like God is punishing us for some reason. I’m sure Satan wants us to feel that way, keeping us defeated and depressed.

When we’re down, it’s hard to be thankful and trust God’s who sees the grand picture of our lives. He knows the beginning and the end. If I am feeling sorry for myself, I won’t be able to keep my eyes focus on Him. Forgetting to trust Him for His plans, even when I don’t understand, can I still trust Him? Have you had the same feelings?

The Bible says God knew all about us even before we were born:

Psalm 139:16 NLT

You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

As I look around the world today, wouldn’t it be great if we could just walk away from the struggles and hurts and just be friends?  It seems God’s love through us is needed more than ever today. To be able to see people and the world through God’s eyes instead of our eyes, and living more like Jesus with open hands and open hearts.  What would our world look like then?©

Thank you for sharing your time with me.  I am Thankful for each one of you. 

Lovingly, Karan

Service With A Smile!

Service With A Smile!

A couple in their nineties were having trouble remembering things so they went to their doctor for checkups. The doctor told them that they were both physically fine and advised them to write things down to help them remember.

couple-sitting-together-on-couch-smiling-340Later that evening while watching television, the husband got up from his chair to go to the kitchen for a snack. He asked his wife if she wanted anything.

“Could you bring me a bowl of ice cream?” she asked.

“Sure,” he replied.

“Do you think you should write that down to remember it?” she asked.

“No, I can remember that,” he said.

“I’d like some strawberries on it, too. Do you need to write that down?” she said.

No, I can remember that, too. Ice cream with strawberries,” he said, becoming a little irritated.

“I’d like some whipped cream on it, too. Can you remember all that? The doctor said you should write things down,” she said.

“For goodness sake, I can remember that. I don’t need to write it down. A bowl of ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream,” he said, now more than a little irritated.

Off he went to the kitchen. About 20 minutes later he returned with a plate of bacon and eggs. The wife stared at it for a moment and said, “Where’s my toast?”

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Reflections:

The world we live in is demanding and changing. With extra demands on our homes, families, work and social commitments we are faced with daily uncertainties. We look for ways to slow down and try to find hope, peace, and strength among all the chaos.

stressI always thought as I aged that somehow I would know all the answers to life. However, the more I mature I realized I have more questions than answers. Surely I have learned something along the way, or have I forgotten?

The awareness of having a personal relationship with God has given me a great peace in my life. Through the highs and lows, of life, I have found God a trustworthy and loyal friend. Holding me up, calming my heart, and giving me the confidence to keep moving forward, even when I felt numb.

Some days I must confess that I would rather stay in bed with a blanket on my head. But in those times He gently reminds me that He is the same today as He was yesterday. The same God, who calmed the storms on the Sea of Galilee and healed the sick so many years ago, lives today. He would die on a cross and then rise again to life a living God. He is the same God I rely on today who calms the storms of my life and gives me peace. He is everything I need.

Because I know the creator of life personally and believe in Him, I can choose to trust Him even when I falter, he understands. I have a God who holds my life and my loved ones in His hands. I think He is better at handling the details of my life, don’t you agree?

When I look back on the life that I have been given, my family, friends, and ministry, how can I not trust Him? I am blessed with God’s incredible protection, love, and forgiveness. Today, I choose to trust you, Lord, because of who you are and your promises to me. ©

I love that verse,

“For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.”

Philippians 4:13 NLB

What could God do for you today?

       Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs to all.

Have a great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

Sweating to the Oldies ~Are we Having Fun Yet?

Are we Having Fun Yet?

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A retired couple decided that they should walk two miles a day to stay in shape.

They chose to walk a mile out on a lonely country road so they would have no choice but to walk back.

At the one-mile mark on their first venture, the man asked his wife, “Do you think you can make it back all right, or are you too tired?” “Oh, no,” she said. “I’m not tired. I can make it okay.”

“Good,” he replied. “I’ll wait here. You go back, get the car and come get me.” 

 

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Reflections:   Sweating to the Oldies

For years, my daughter and I faithfully watched an exercise diva on television. Imagine our excited when we learned she would be making a visit to our town, and appearing at the local Gym. The advertisement invited everyone to come, meet her, ask questions, and spend a few hours joining her in one of her great workouts. Although we were beginners, we decided to join the excitement and learn some new exercise techniques.

images (7)Always wanting to dress properly for any occasion, I decided to wear legging, an oversize t-shirt (to cover any bulges) and a headband so people would think I knew my way around the gym. My daughter wore her shorts and a cute top; I figured we looked like an ordinary twosome off to the gym.

At my office all morning, we were a little late arriving for the starting session. Laughing and excited we stopped on the stairs and gazed over the class of women doing a rapidly paced step aerobics, in their fancy, well-matched, small, tight, outfits. I was starting to have that big bird feeling in my oversize t-shirt. I realized my comfortable outfit was not going to look great for pictures as we were all exercising, especially from the backside…

The instructor delegated us to the back row (thank goodness) and said, “Please put on your aerobic shoes.” To which I replied, “We didn’t bring any, we’ll just wear our socks.”At that point, she stopped the class and educated everyone on the hazards of not wearing the right aerobic shoes. She acted as if we were not serious enough to be in her class; I wonder what gave her that idea!

The music started up again at a rapid pace, moving at disaster speed for me! I could hardly keep up, huffing and puffing. “O’ my goodness I’m overdoing it,” I thought, “I’m sweating I had better slow down, or my makeup will melt off.” At that point, I fell to the floor in a heap; my youngest daughter was starting to slow down too. The teacher yelled, “Keep the burn going, let’s maintain the pace, especially those in the back row.” Which was only the two of us?

Our predicament now seemed incredibly funny, and all I could do was laugh, my daughter was laughing too. The louder the instructor yelled, the harder we laughed; there we lay in hysterics on the floor. We embarrassed ourselves that day; but as we now look back, we realize we were making memories. Isn’t that what life is all about? Enjoying the journey of life we are on. ©

I believe God has a sense of humor too, After all, he made us!

Psalm 126:2 (NLT)

 We were filled with laughter,
    and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
    “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

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Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me,

Have a wonderful weekend be safe. Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan