Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts: June 2014

Thursday, June 26, 2014

HEALTH: Small Steps

Eat healthy foods and exercise. It sounds so simple doesn’t it? Just about everyone has the ability to do this, but yet so few follow through. It's all about choices.

Changing eating habits is a choice and a process. Gradually reduce consumption of unhealthy foods and add healthy foods. Make a list of healthy foods and each time you shop be sure you are buying items from that list. Determine to begin an exercise routine. Find someone to exercise with you, as accountability will make it easier. Walk for 30 minutes a few days a week, join a gym, or a sport. There are a lot of options and it’s well worth the effort as you’ll find yourself feeling better physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Monday, June 16, 2014

HEALTH: Body and mind exercise

Exercise is good for your body and mind, and especially good for your heart. Aerobic exercise is wonderful for your cardiovascular system as it strengthens your heart.

Just as walking with God benefits our spiritual heart, walking for exercise strengthens our natural body. Walking is considered one of the best ways to exercise and is very easy to do.

You can walk just about anywhere for exercise. In your neighborhood, at the gym, walking trails, even the mall. I see people walking in the mall for exercise all the time.

Commit to going for short walks to begin with and ask a friend to join you. You will feel refreshed and renewed afterwards and be on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

LIFE: Loving GOD

Sometimes it’s easy to neglect God and let self rule. Eventually though, when self rules for a period of time, we usually end up face down in the dirt, crying, frustrated, and ready to give up.

When this happens to me, I know deep within I want to please God so I get back up and begin again. I commit to live my life loving God and others and taking steps to fulfill God's plan for me. I've done my fair share of what I want to do to please myself in this life, but my deepest intention is to please God. My deepest desire is to enjoy God and God's gift of life, as well as share awesome love with others.

Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many plans are in ones mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for that one that will stand."

I believe God's purposes for me will stand as I walk in love and humility and seek to live a life that adds value to others. I will not fear. God's Spirit lives in me! How awesome is that!

Monday, June 2, 2014

LIFE: Going through change

Change is difficult. It is far easier to just stay where you are. We get very familiar where we are and to begin to make changes takes us out of our comfort zone. The very first thing that needs to be done when considering making a change is to write your goal down and commit to take steps toward fulfilling that goal! If you don't know what step to begin with, ask around, do some research. There is help available.

Commitment means I’m going to give 110% and not give up when I get tired, ridiculed, frustrated, or negative.

When you decide to make a change, write it down and begin visualizing making progress toward that goal. Make a plan. Write out steps to getting out of debt, or losing 20 pounds, or getting a new job. If you want action, you have got to take action, be disciplined, and persevere.

Believe in yourself and keep a positive attitude. Change sometimes takes time and more effort than you may think you have, but it is possible! Successful people often have this attribute of commitment, even when the storms come. Don’t be afraid. Believe.