Thursday, August 2, 2012

SORRY - And the Journey Continues!

I am sorry that my blog has not been up to date but I continued to have technical issues until recently - so here I am to start again!  Life keeps going, the journey never ends and there is so much to discuss.

On July 1st I announced that I was starting a wellness campaign for myself with the first piece of that being an attempt to lose weight through December 31st.  This would be accompanied by a lifestyle change that would include better eating habits, more sleep and really taking care of myself.  I am down over 4 pounds since then, and I hope I continue to work on this daily.

But what makes my journey so special is that now 18 people are accompanying me!  A group of people who are looking for physical wellness as we journey toward living life wholly and fully have joined me on this leg of the journey.  We meet together weekly to weigh in, to share our victories and our challenges, recipes and exercises.  But most of all we meet to give one another support and encouragement.  To that end we have buddies each week who help remind us of our goals and what it is we want to accomplish for the week.  What a blessing that is!  Getting to know new people, getting to share this difficult part of life's journey and then celebrate the joy and victory! 

I will admit to not doing as well as I had hoped but I keep going.  As long as I keep trying and keep losing then I am still on the right path.  But to what?  This path to wholeness is for me a path to a better formed faith life.  If I am not well in my body I cannot be fully present and working into my calling.  Physical health, lifelong learning and spiritual health are all needed to be able to live out my faith abundantly.  So I am starting with the physical and going from there.

But having people with whom I journey makes such a difference!  I am reminded again and again that being a person of faith is not something done in a vacum or by myself, but it is grown in a community where people inspire, push, support and cry with you or celebrate with you.  What a truly wonderful experience.

I will keep you posted on this part of my journey even as I invite you to begin your own next stage.  Do you need to work on your physical, spiritual or mental health?  If yes to any of those I encourage you to begin by finding some people who also have those goals and walk the path together!  I would love to hear from you about your own journey.

Pastor Laurie