Never Tired

As my body continues to detox an old infection, I've been having to rest a lot more than usual. I had adjusted to my new energy level very quickly, so it's been challenging to have to go back to resting this much. 

So even though the following words are not new, they have renewed meaning for me today. I am SO grateful that my GOD is NEVER tired! This body of mine may get weary, but my God never does! And it's His strength that matters, not mine. 

Thank you Jesus!

"Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and His understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint."

-Isaiah 40:38-31

Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella

My mom used to say this to me all the time. It's so true that during a "storm" of any kind, we need to smile and laugh to help us get through. In fact, it's been proven scientifically that smiling makes you feel better. =)

However, I know that living with E.I. - or any ongoing challenge - can so easily drain us of anything cheerful.

So if you need a little help smiling and laughing, here are some of my favorite "umbrellas" that always help cheer me up. I hope they'll keep a smile on your face today too! =)

This song is full of good ol' toe-tapping fun! =) Always brightens my day! 

This clip from an old TV show is hilarious, especially if you're familiar with the Princess Bride movie. Priceless! =)

This guy always cracks me up! And he has the best true stories. 

Here's a scene from a classic movie (Singing In The Rain) that I just love! One of my all-time favorites.

I dare you not to laugh while watching these little cuties! =)

And finally, this story by Beth Moore is both funny and really sweet. It always blesses me.

What about you? Do you have any cheerful favorites to recommend?

Dying Softly - Dangers of Fabric Softener

The facts on fabric softeners are undeniable, yet millions of people still use this dangerous product. 

Some people are simply ignorant, they have no idea about the harmful chemicals they're exposing themselves to. Other people ignore the danger saying, "I want my clothes to be soft." 

It breaks my heart to think anyone would chose "soft" clothes over protecting their families' health from carcinogens and toxins.

Unfortunately, they aren't the only ones who suffer from this unhealthy choice. 

- I feel the effects of my neighbor's fabric softener almost daily as it flows from her dryer vent through our front and back yards. 

- Children who have no idea of the dangers are wearing toxic clothes faithfully laundered with fabric softener. 

- People who work in hospitality industries are exposed to these toxic products daily. 

So if fabric softener is so dangerous, why is it still sold everywhere? Where is regulation, you ask? I can't answer why so many toxic products are still approved for sale, but I can assure you that the research has been done and the facts are clear. 

Fabric softener contains known carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), respiratory irritants, toxins that cause nervous system disorders, as well as substances that are listed on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list. 

For more details, here's an excellent article by Jordan Rubin highlighting only 9 of the dangerous chemicals found in fabric softener. 

Fabric softener is a toxic cocktail that becomes even more dangerous when heated, and which is made to last a VERY long time. It absorbs into the skin (through clothes and bedding) and wreaks all kinds of havoc in the body. 

There are a lot of unavoidable toxins in our environment. Let's not add anything unnecessarily to that load. Let's keep spreading the word so that more people can make healthy choices instead of dying softly.

I hope by now I've either convinced you to avoid this harmful product, or inspired you to share the facts with others you know who still use fabric softener. 

One of my friends said that after quitting fabric softener, her asthma improved dramatically! Do you have a testimony or success story you can share? We'd love to hear about it in the comments! 

Keep Moving Forward

How was your first week of this new year? I've actually felt a little worse lately as I've been detoxing some old infections.

I know it's tempting to be discouraged as time passes and we still haven't reached the goal of being "well." So I just wanted to encourage all of us to focus instead on "moving forward." 

Whatever being "well" looks like for you, keep that as your long-range goal. However, day by day try to just think about what you can do to keep moving forward.

No matter how sick you may be or how healthy you are, I believe there's always something we can each do to keep working toward good health. 

Over the last three and a half years I've added various things to my personal health program (lymphatic massage, supplements, physical therapy, etc.). This year my goal is to start exercising again. I think my body is ready to benefit from a gradual exercise program.

What about you? What one thing can you do this week, this month, this year, to keep investing in your health?

Have you tried lymphatic massage? 

What about an anti-fungal diet?

Choosing to use less toxic products?

Can you do stretches daily or deep breathing?

Drink more water?

Maybe you can just practice smiling every day. =)

There are a lot of good things we can do to help our bodies in the healing process. Whatever your condition, I pray you'll find something beneficial you can do today. 

Even if it's slow, may we all keep moving forward toward better health!

New Year, New Attitude

Welcome to 2013! 

I've learned to enjoy the start of a new year - reviewing the past year with its ups and downs, and then thinking about all the possibilities for the coming year. 

But for many years past, January 1st was a difficult time for me. It only reminded me of all the things I couldn't do, all the dreams that were still on hold, all the challenges I was still facing. 

So if that's where you find yourself today, I want to encourage you. You may not be able to change your circumstances or remove your challenges, but you CAN choose the attitude you want to develop in the midst of them.

Perhaps you can choose this year to focus on gratitude. There is always much to be thankful for, no matter how difficult life is. Practicing gratefulness every day makes a huge difference in how we experience life, even the painful times.

Or maybe you'd like an attitude of determination, to never give up! One thing I've learned is the value of hope. And I can testify that even for those who are severely ill, there really is help available. Don't give up! 

Or an attitude of courage, patience, finding joy in simple things, etc, etc. 

There are many positive attitudes we can pursue that will benefit us. Even if it seems like nothing is changing in our situation, God is still at work to change US! And ultimately that is the most important thing, right? 

So what attitude will you adopt and pursue this year? 

Personally, I'm asking God to help me practice an attitude of fearlessness. Whatever comes my way this year, I pray I'll face it fully confident in Jesus!

May God strengthen and encourage each of us to live this new year with a new attitude!