poet

Have you ever really wondered how much of an impact your words have on others? Did you ever stop to think of how you could personalize your speaking by dropping most of the common phrases or elaborating on them and therefore becoming a more positive influence on people?

For instance we might say “you are very strong you can overcome this”. Maybe we should be saying “I know this is difficult for you to overcome and you may feel overwhelmed about it so I want you to know that I am here for you”.

This way of thinking tells the person that it is alright/normal to be overwhelmed by things and if and when they are, someone will be there for them who understands them. They realize that you respect them even if weak is all they can be from time to time.

How about when we say” you can do it you never fail at anything, besides you’ve got what it takes”.  Shouldn’t we be saying “you have a reputation for succeeding so hopefully for you this will be one of those times again but if it isn’t there will always be another opportunity to succeed at something”. This gives the person the motivation to succeed knowing they have a reputation for doing so but it also tells them if they do not it is not the end of the world or your respect for them.

How about when we say “my sympathy” or “my deepest sympathies” when someone loses a loved one. What if we said “I know that I cannot take away your pain but can I help you somehow? cope with it?” Now instead of just telling the person that you sympathize with their loss, you are telling them that you identify with their pain, you truly understand their situation and you want to help them in any way you can.

The grieving person now feels less alone and more understood. They know that they can call on you to help them through their pain and not feel needy, guilty or bothersome. Or “if I could mend your heart I would but because I cannot I want you to know that you can show me your sorrow, you do not have to be strong. capable or composed in front of me”. This tells the grieving person that their true feelings about the pain of their loss are not only accepted but also welcomed by you!

Let’s take this one step further and apply it to our weight loss journey. We are all inclined for instance to be redundant with the saying “you can do it” Although this is a wonderful phrase to build self-esteem I think something personal should be added to it to help the person who is questioning their capabilities even more. It could probably go something like this” I have been following your progress and you have always rebounded from situations like this” that added statement immediately tells the distraught person that your interest in their success is genuine (you are following their progress) and it also reminds them that their shortcomings have never stood in the way of their successes.

Hello! Everyone!

I did it! I listened to temptation. Hubby and I went to a rib shack last night. On a rare occasion when we do eat ribs we always share the plate. We usually order a half rack of the baby ribs. Well hubby had worked very hard so he was famished. He decided (new restaurant for us) that we should try the sampler plate.

I will not tease anyone by saying what was on it but it should have been called a dinner for four and not two. You know what though? it was not the nutritional disaster for me it could have been you know why? because all I could see in front of me were bright red apples, cartoon characters , butterflies, familiar faces to me and whatever other icons exist at BS.

You sistas! may not be in my backyard but when I am eating ANYTHING now, you are all staring at me on my food. I think I might need therapy after all this. I may end up skinny and with good eating habits but I will have developed a huge fear of betraying the sistahood!

I was saved also by the hot spices used to prepare that sinful food. Hubby and I are milder eaters. The ribs and chicken were soooo hot! we were looking for fire extinguishers. That’s one way to get me to drink my water. We actually slept in different beds so as not to scorch each other with our dragon breathe, lol!

Stepped up my physical routine this morning, straightened out my halo, brushed off my wings (attitude! girls! attitude!) We are all that! and we can do it! and now today is a new day!

Going to go get those index cards now and that file box to get that motivational tool in place. Thank you Sarah for the calendar idea, I will be using that too! Let us all remember Angela and her family in our prayers and get those candles burning. There is so much power in prayer and candle burning for the cause when so many are gathered in the process. Luv Ya! sistas and mistas! Linda

Pondering all the different challenges that life presents us today brought my mind back to the 50’s and 60’s when I was growing up. Although it is often said that those were simpler times, thinking back now I am not so sure that they really were given the war and all.

I think we felt that way because as children we did not have adult problems so we did not focus on that but the problems were there for sure. Or as my husband would say we were too stupid to notice. We were so involved in our own sheltered little world that we were oblivious to our surroundings. My jump rope, my ball and jacks and my marbles were my world oh! yes and my rusty bicycle, Barbie doll and hoola hoop.

A very exciting day was finding mica on rocks and pretending we had found diamonds. When it rained outside my bff’s mother would let us play marbles on my bff’s bed using a metal bowl seeing how many of our clay marbles (could not afford the glass ones) we could get in the bowl by standing in different locations in the room. Ting! Ting! Ting!

Being clay those dang! marbles were always splitting in two on us. When we played in the dirt with them that was cool! because we now had more marbles and still more chances to get some of them in the hole. Splitting in half in the metal bowl however was a drag! , not groovy at all!  My bff’s mother had the patience of a saint or a serious hearing problem. I am not sure which! maybe both.

Our parents use to tell us that they rolled up the sidewalks at 8:00 p.m. so we had better be inside by then. Do you think anyone ever questioned that idiotic situation? Heck! no! we just ran like the dickens from the neighbors house at 7:55 to get home by 8:00.

The city streets looked like a child’s blindfolded relay race with each kid tripping on the other and sometimes the “bad” kid saying sh..! because he was running late and the rest of us just gasping! over what we had just heard, yes! the “s” word.

I didn’t use the naughty words then nope! I didn’t want the nuns to make me wash the blackboards and besides my knuckles met the ruler often enough for talking too much in class I just could not subject them to even more attention from that hunk of wood.

Never knew rulers could be so thick and I have never seen one like that ever since then either. There must have been a “nun ruler factory” in those days where they were made especially for them. Maybe it was that place near the convent called “SLABS R US”.

My attire consisted of monkey suits (uniforms) through the week and mom’s lovingly tailored designer dresses on the week-ends made from grandma’s old aprons and moo moos and the faded living room curtains.

We were 5 girls and mom had to make us all match. It was not so bad for me being the youngest but I do remember my older sisters complaining to my mom that as teenagers the Annie Oakley print material (dad found in the neighbor’s garbage), was a bit much for them to accept without being totally humiliated by their friends. Didn’t stop mom though, the dresses were flared therefore we could all wear our pretty petticoats under them so everyone would notice us. God Bless her!

Our Eskimo jackets were also original mom made them from faux fur but everyone thought that they were made of real fur. I seem to remember them having a distinct smell for some reason. Oh! No! that must be what happened to “Pew Pew” my pet skunk! But dad told me that “Pew Pew” died of heartburn from eating too many scraps from the garbage can! Oh! well! at least mom recycled him.

To be happy as a pig in poop in those days, in the company of my friends and dad when he was sober, my family, and living like that!! truly amazes me. Today I have all the modern conveniences and I don’t have to make any of my own clothes I just have to go to the “GW Boutique” better known as Goodwill. I should be happy right? But am I? I think I am!

Hey! don’t knock it! the boutique has all of mom’s homemade dresses there. I even saw the Eskimo jackets the other day as well as grandma’s aprons and moo moos. Mom’s curlers, her hair nets, her hot water bottle and even dad’s long johns and checkered suit.

What does all of this have to do with weight loss you ask? Ummm! I was skinny then and now I’m not? Hey! I know! how about you tell everyone what you miss (or don’t miss) the most about your childhood and how that can help you on your weight loss journey.

I personally do not miss my monkey suits, those thick rulers, or my smelly Eskimo jacket but I do miss the woman who provided most of those things for me, made them herself, my mom, my role model.

Thinking about her especially since the anniversary of her passing is on the 4th of July (as some of you already know) motivates me to be a good wife to my husband and a good mother to my children as well as grandmother to my granchildren. While I am focused on that I am also focused on getting and staying healthy for all of them. On living a long time, God willing.

Remember the question? I don’t either! Oh! Yes! What do you miss or don’t miss about your childhood? How can remembering that today help you on your weight loss journey? Oh! yes! Again! (lol! it’s late) the title of my story, My Caboose Is Chartroose! The first pair of stretch! pants I ever bought for myself, with my own money I earned babysitting, (50 cents an hour) were chartreuse, Groovy! ugh?  Luv ya! sistas and mistas! Let’s share those answers okay! Cool!!

Are we awake yet? I sure hope so because I want your ideas. Like all of you I need a lot of motivation to stay focused on this weight loss journey. I have been finding that reminders to do well are very beneficial in meeting all of my daily goals and challenges. They really do help me to stay focused.

The reminders I thought should be on index cards and kept in a little index/recipe box whatever is easier for everyone to use. We could make it a daily ritual to visit the box and remove one card from it that we must follow for that day.

For instance we could write “eat a banana and an orange today” or “read and respond to more blogs today” or ‘go out of your way to be nice to someone today” etc. etc. There are so many different things that we could write on the cards pertaining to this weight loss journey and that is where all of you come in.

What do you think would be simple yet effective things we could write that would keep our stamina and motivation in check? What do you think should we mix all the cards up pertaining to all the subjects….food, exercise, challenges, etc. or separate them by categories? Like using color coded index cards for instance to distinguish the categories?

**What are you writing on your cards? What system will you be using? all one color of cards or different colors? Can’t wait to hear your answers. Here’s mine.

I am going to use all white index cards in a small file box. On one side of the card I will write about food or exercise and on the other I will write about a challenge I must meet.  Example of the things I will write on them.

Front side of card: Eat at least two fruits today and add a little something to your exercise routine.

Back side of card: Do something special for somebody today that is not family and is not expecting it. Read one scripture in the bible.

I will randomly pick a card every day and then put it in the back of the pile when I go to bed at night. I will keep the card with me all day to remind me of the goal, the challenge I must meet for that day.

I need those ideas sistas, mistas for my/our cards, are you on board with me? Luv Ya! and have a Super! week-end.

I feel I am different for many reasons some I am happy with others I am working on to change. My uniqueness as a person is greatly attributed to the deep spirituality I try so hard to practice every day and share with others. Some days are good, I feel I gave as much of myself as I could without losing myself but other days are not. I know I did praise Me instead of Him, in my actions, my words. I am working diligently on changing that. My God is a modest God! 

My faith is who I am and not a cover for who I want people to think I am. I must practice what I preach however hard that truly is.

U   understanding of others

N   Nutty, nearing insanity, okay! already there

I    Inciteful, intuitive, imaginative

Q   Quaint or Queen depending on the day

U    Unfaltering tenacity and drive

E     Energetic and sometimes entertaining

Was that pompous enough? lol! We need to acknowledge our worth, our faults every now and again to either pat ourselves on the back or kick ourselves in the butt. That felt good! It’s your turn! Luv Ya! sistas! and mistas! By the way where are all the mistas? Samuel (Jones), Alec Baldwin alias George, Jeffrey? and all the others? Cat got your tongue? Or just too many cats for you to want to comment? Meow!

Hello! dear Lord

It’s half past two

I need Your help

About what to do

I love to spread

Your word You see

But am I worthy

To represent Thee?

When I speak

Can others feel

My pulsing faith?

My Godly zeal?

 Do they recall

The words I say

Once we’ve all

Gone on our way?

Am I humble…..

In my speech?

Is Your message

What I teach?

Do I listen…… As I should

To feel what’s being said?

Or do I often hear…..

What I must say instead?

 Do I always put You first

On the list of those I love?

 Is.. my name at the bottom

 And everyone elses above?

Am I doing as You taught me

 Respecting what You’ve done

By treating all creation….

As equals, every…..one?

 If I am not performing

As Your good book

Tells me so……….

Please send me a reminder

So I will surely know!               Poet Linda

OMG! OMG! I found celebrities on this site. They are all using an “Alias”. Talk about motivation to do well! Check it out! sistas! and mistas! Awesome!

Look! it’s Cher with a face lift “alias” Sarah!

Sarah

Reba MacIntyre “alias” Kamma!

Mary Tyler Moore with a face lift “alias” Dawnleigh!

Angelina Jolie “alias” Carolina!

Alec Baldwin with the surgery “alias” George!

Jennifer Lopez “alias” Jocelynne!

Nicole Kidman “alias” Dara!

Julia Roberts with surgery “alias” Estel!

Halle Barre “alias” Angela!

Sandra Bullock blond with surgery “alias” Lara!

Celine Dion with surgery “alias” Christy!

Carol Burnett with a face lift “alias” Deborah

Vicky Lawrence with surgery “alias” Christine!

Sophia Loren with plastic surgery “alias” Lisa!

Marlo Thomas with surgery “alias” Kassie!

Hannah Montana “alias” Stacy

Wow! cool! Let’s go look for more! That was one busy plastic surgeon ugh? And they thought they could fool us. You know what I’m going to do? I am going to buddy up with some of them and get all the Hollywood/BS scoop! I want to hear all their blogs about trainers, eating healthy, beauty tips etc. That will teach them for coming here incognito. The gig is up guys! Let’s all hitch our wagon to one of them! Luv Ya! sistas! and mistas!

Good Morning Everyone!

Well the rooster crowed and the alarm clock rocked so now it’s time to “Get er dun!”. I was just thinking about how language/words affect our mindset. Like what I just said for instance to get everyone stimulated today and hopefully laughing a bit. Because I am a non-conformist (who would have known?) most of the time, I need to put my touch on everything, I need to make it my very own.

Everyone who has been following my insanity since day one when I arrived here, knows what they are in for when dealing with the likes of me. Most people will say “what you see is what you get”. My saying is “what you get is more of me, more and more insanity”. In other words I am probably the most tenacious idiotic (I say this to myself in a nice way) person that you will ever meet when it comes to loving people, okay! okay! when it comes to everything.

Getting back to the” lingo” thang! again anyone who knows me knows I speak in tongues “my tongues” which is a mixture of English, french and nonesench. I have indoctrinated many words? phrases? etc. into my BS (love being able to use/say those letters and not have anyone offended) and I mean my BS here on BS that truly help my mindset to remain positive (then again that is my mindset) so I share them with you yungins on a regular basis.

Here goes! These er the ones I am itchin to remind you of stertin with my favo-rite! one. “The Sistahood Of Faith And Hope”, this one I take very seriously because I created it to mean a strong bond between “sistas”! and yes “mistas”! all with the same goal that of weight loss. All of whom have faith in themselves and hope that they will be successful.

Then there is the “Attitude” meaning… Always Trying To Incite Tenacity Using Dauntless Energy created to help build self-esteem (the reason for most of my words/sayings etc.) and all the others such as the following. 

Plumperlicious! slendericious! healthilicious! sistas!mistas! the monster (for the scale) and the two most important ones to me after the Sistahood! are not a word or phrases as such but the replacement of words/phrases that can be (are for me) like scale disparaging.

I am not on a (the “d”) word , I have embarked on a” lifestyle change” I now have a” healthy nutritional regimen” meaning a permanent solution to weight loss without thinking I am starving or deprived of food in any way. I do not (exercise) on a regular basis I have many “physical activities” that I do to get and stay fit, putting it this way I am not tired before I start. 

All this being said it’s yer time to “Get er dun!” and indoctrinate some of your own lingo here at BS. What er yer ideas sistas and mistas? Would love to hear em!  Luv Ya! sistas! and mistas!

Hello Buddies,

I would like to begin by thanking every (buddy) thus far for their responses to my blog from this morning. I respect every (buddy’s) opinion on the subject of my recent dilemma. I will take them all into consideration next time I am feeling neglected, rejected or anything else that ends in “ected” that makes me sad and want to vent or cry.

I will also take into consideration that I need to search within (as I spend so much time preaching to others to do), for answers to the reason (s) for my sometimes negative emotions instead of always assuming that others must be the cause, must be to blame!

I must acknowledge that more often than not it is my own wounded complex that stems from my childhood being raised by an alcoholic father that is the culprit!Living with much criticism and little praise. That is no excuse however for not taking it upon myself to try and heal my own self image.

Now! that’s something I could use all of your prayers for!  Better still I will ask Him myself to give me permission to “not try and be everything to everybody” until  which time I have weeded my own garden. I have allowed myself to be less than perfect and I have taken responsibility for my own transgressions instead of blaming others for my weaknesses.

In closing, I would like to share something with you that just happened to me when I went to pick up my grandson from school. Being on this pity trip for several days now (the torrential rains over here aren’t helping much either), I have been hitting the beads more than usual in an attempt to restore my positive attitude. I was in the car praying and waiting for my grandson to come out and as usual I asked God for a sign that everything would once again be okay! I would be happy and at peace with myself.

I had the radio on and all of a sudden the volume went nuts and Elvis was singing “There will be peace in the valley” I got my message as usual and it could not have come at a better time, He always knows when we need Him to carry us and immerse us in His infinite glory and abundant blessings. Thank you once again Big Guy now I can meet my responsibilities with courage, patience and peace!

Time to fix dinner but this meal will be very special tonight because there is so much  I will be giving thanks for starting with this site and all of my buddies. Luv Ya! sistas! and mistas!

Hello everyone,

I spent a long time this week-end wondering what it is I would write about today. I was seriously thinking about not blogging at all! anymore! What used to be an uplifting place for me to come and share emotions with my friends has now become a source of frustration and sadness for me. Frustration because many times I feel my enthusiasm to succeed at this weight loss journey is not always welcomed! Reciprocated!

My sadness comes from several places. I realize that I often alienate people because of my spirituality and my relentless passion when I am totally focused on a goal! Much time and effort is spent trying to reach that goal, encouraging others who have the same desire to succeed also. 

I do acknowledge however that it is difficult sometimes for me to contain that enthusiasm and I lose sight of my limitations. I become overbearing and even upset when others do not share the same zeal as me when trying to reach the same goal. That tenacity compels me to initiate ways to be successful at reaching my goals and encourage others who share in those goals to do the same.

I realize how integral it is to maintain a level of lightheartedness trying to meet my goals but I must also maintain a level of seriousness if I am to truly succeed. I have no problem talking about cats, dogs, how beautiful I think I am or I am not (my God however is a modest God) but I have to be doing it while focused on my weight loss goals, my goals in general.

To stay focused I have to constantly be looking for the right tools to do the job. I thought I found one with my “grocery list” attempt, but my positive enthusiasm was shared by so few that it made me realize that I was trying too hard to please everyone (the story of my life) which in actuality was turning them off. When I questioned their lack of enthusiasm I was told that time was of the essence.

If there is so much time to talk about many things not “Really” pertinent to this weight loss journey, not motivational in any way, like cats and our beautiful hands and boobs (I guess it makes some people feel better about themselves bragging about their physical appearance) why is there so little time to spend talking about and sharing healthy, nutritional food ideas?

The straw that broke the camels back for me is not only not being serious in every way about our weight loss goals but the lack of compassion from your buddies? when you blog that you are sad (crying!) because of their uninvolvement concerning your enthusiasm to reach and help them reach their weight loss goals if they haven’t already.

When all you do is try to  help! and no (buddies) are there to console you because your are sad even crying about their rejection, it makes you wonder if you are in the right place. I choose to be happy in life and to ensure myself that I always strive to be optimistic  and supportive with everyone, why is it so wrong for me to expect the same from them? You,  bleep! I will not say your name and embarrass you, are the only one who truly cares about me as a person. You know who you are because you too are compassionate, caring, loving and all sharing!